Women in mid-life are at risk of experiencing up to 48 symptoms from painful dry eyes and sore joints to thinning hair and heart palpitations – here experts explain what to do if your health starts to change
The menopause is often called “the change” – and it’s no wonder. Plummeting oestrogen can trigger dozens of diverse symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings. But do you know all 48 shades of the menopause and how to handle them?
Research commissioned by M-Club– an online community that provides tailored products, information and support for women at this time of life – reveals two in five don’t fully understand the impact it has on the body and mind. And 46% of women have never heard of perimenopause, which is the time leading up to periods ending, when levels of the oestrogen and testosterone begin to fall and symptoms start or, in some cases, peak.
More than 15.5 million women in the UK are currently experiencing either the perimenopause or menopause at any one time, and GP Dr Gill Jenkins says: “Society often views women as invisible after their fertility stops. But this isn’t the case. Menopause shouldn’t be viewed as an illness. Instead, it’s a life change we all need to embrace.”
Dr Hilary Jones, an independent adviser to M-Club, adds: “Hormone Replacement Therapy is an option for menopausal women but fewer than half of women in perimenopause take HRT or intend to do so. Instead, they are seeking alternative support and natural solutions.
“The M-Club platform will be a game changer for women, allowing them to feel as though they are part of a community, and providing them with products that help them overcome the many menopausal challenges.” Here’s how you can address some common perimenopause and menopause symptoms, including some you may not be expecting…
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Feeling tired and moody?
Fatigue, low mood and brain fog are some of the common psychological symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause. Dr Gill Jenkins says: “These mental and emotional challenges are often made worse by physical symptoms such as hot flushes.”
But there is help at hand. “Vitamin B12 contributes to energy-yielding metabolism, helping reduce tiredness. Ashwagandha, an adaptogenic herb, is renowned for helping the body cope with stress, while 5-HTP has been found to help manage symptoms of depression by increasing levels of feel-good hormone, serotonin.”
Changing hair
Falling hormones reduce the growth phase of hair follicles resulting in thinning or slower-to-grow hair. While this may not sound as serious as some menopause symptoms, even moderate hair loss is linked to reduced self-esteem and quality of life and also increased depression and anxiety. Caffeine-based products can reduce loss and the latest hair hero derived from coffee is Kaffoil, a lipophilic extract proven to help repair and strengthen hair and increase shine by more than 300%.
It’s a key ingredient in M-Club’s Nurturing Shampoo and High Shine Conditioner. You can also support hair health from the inside out with a diet rich in complex carbs such as beans, lentils and whole grains and adequate intakes of vitamin C, A and B-group vitamins. Minerals including zinc, iron and magnesium also influence hair growth.
Dry eyes
Dry, irritated and gritty eyes are common too, with one study finding it affects 76% of women during perimenopause and 80% of those who are menopausal. Optician and dry eye disease specialist, Rosemin Mussa, says: “As oestrogen declines during perimenopause, the glands producing and secreting the tear fluid may function less effectively leading to faster evaporation of the tear fluid and dry eye.”
Sodium hyaluronate – a super-hydrator used in some skin products and a key ingredient in M-Club Dry Eye – has been shown to help repair damage to the cornea and lining of the eye.
- For more support and information on navigating menopause go to m-club.co.uk