Natural Remedies

I started going through menopause in my early 50s. The first sign was hot flushes — and they hit hard. Around that time, I started a demanding new job in a senior role. My daughters were growing up and becoming more independent, so it felt like the right moment to return to work, not just for financial reasons but for my own mental wellbeing. My new boss was in his early 30s, and the job was intense. The more stressed I got, the worse the hot flushes became. If my boss noticed, he never said anything, but I was extremely anxious about it. Another tough symptom was brain fog. Meetings became stressful and sometimes even embarrassing because I struggled to concentrate or find the right words. I chose not to go on HRT. My mum passed away at 64 from ovarian cancer, and she had been on HRT. I can’t say for sure that the two were linked, but it was a risk I wasn’t comfortable taking. I've always preferred natural remedies when it comes to health, so I looked for alternative options. I came across Dr Marilyn Glenville, who focuses on women’s health. I went to a few of her talks and began following her advice. I added more phytoestrogens to my diet — foods like soya, flaxseeds, and pulses. I also started taking supplements she recommended, especially Meno Multi, which I still take today for bone health. The biggest improvement came when I started taking sage. My hot flushes dropped by at least 70%, which made a huge difference. I also joined a running club. At first, I did a 5k, then a 10k, and eventually a half marathon. Running became a weekly routine — both with the group and on my own. Best of all, it didn’t matter if I had a hot flush while running — no one could tell! Later on, I noticed some discomfort and pain during sex, once my libido started to return. My jeans started to feel uncomfortable, and I avoided wearing trousers altogether. I kept buying thrush creams, thinking that would help, until I finally realised it was vaginal dryness. My doctor prescribed Ovestin cream and Estradiol tablets (both inserted twice a week). The cream worked best for me, and now everything feels much more normal. Now that I’m post-menopause, I make sure to keep up with regular exercise — both cardio and strength training — to protect my bones. I eat a balanced diet and also take extra Vitamin C to help with collagen loss. The one symptom I haven’t been able to manage well is poor sleep. I’ve tried lots of natural remedies. Some help for a while, but the effects don’t last. If anyone has found something that truly works, I’d love to hear about it.

SYMPTOMS

Vaginal Dryness, Sleeplessness, Brain Fog

WHICH OF THESE SYMPTOMS HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED AND HOW DID YOU MANAGE THEM?

Sage for hot flushes

WHAT HASN'T WORKED FOR YOU?

Haven't been successful in finding a remedy for lack of sleep

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN? IS THERE ANY ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE WOMEN ABOUT TO START THE PERIMENOPAUSE?

Explore natural alternatives, plenty of exercise and a healthy diet