Sailing the hormonal sea
It's not always smooth sailing when it comes to navigating the hormonal seas we find ourselves in before and after menopause! The lack of education provided about the peri to post menopause, alongside outdated beliefs surrounding treatment options, mean that many women aren't receiving the support they need.
I think it's important that women have informative and trustworthy resources to rely upon as they enter this phase of their lives. Your GP should be your first port of call for any health issues you are experiencing but it can also be helpful to know that you aren't alone and to have a resource library of additional information to refer to. I have pulled together some key information and a number of invaluable links for you below.
knowledge at your fingertips
My top website recommendations
Menopausesupport.co.uk is a superb website which provides a number of useful resources including their menopause symptom checker which I have posted below for you to download.
The Balance website provides a useful Q&A function, links to articles and podcasts. It also details the Balance App which allows you to track your peri-post menopause symptoms on your phone. The data from the app can then be downloaded to share with your GP.
Menopauseandme.co.uk is a great all round resource library, providing information, explanations and useful links.
https://mysecondspring.ie/ is an excellent resource library for all things menopause. It will particularly appeal to those looking for a natural, alternative and homeopathic treatments for dealing with symptoms of the peri-post menopause.
https://www.daisynetwork.org/ is focused specifically upon premature menopause - known as Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. This is an invaluable website for women who are going through the menopause in their 20s and 30s.
https://www.hotflashinc.com/ is the birthchild of Ann Marie McQueen, journalist and editor. I remain in awe of McQueen's ability to digest and disseminate the latest research on the subject of all things menopause. An incredible authority.
My favourite podcasts and blogs
I have written several blogs on the subject of menopause, ranging from subjects including optimising nutrition post 40, moving vibrantly in to midlife and beyond, to hormone replacement therapy. Please see my blog page for these.
With All Due Respect! Podcast by Amanda Thebe - Amanda Thebe is known as a menopause guru in fitness circles, and is one of my favourite no-nonsense menopause experts when it comes to telling it how it is in her fantastic podcast.
The Power Years Project Podcast by Jenny Burrell - This exceptional podcast series is produced by Midlife Transition Coach and owner of Burrell Education - Jenny Burrell. A truly inspirational listen! Burrell Education is one of the most highly regarded women's health educators in the UK.
Ben Coomber Radio Podcast #592 - This podcast unites three of my favourite fitness and nutrition experts - Amanda Thebe, Ben Coomber and Tom Bainbridge. It's an honest and deep dive in to fitness, nutrition and weight change during the menopause.
Abby Langer has written a wonderful blog on her own experience of peri-menopause. Abby Langer is a Canadian Dietician who uses an evidence based approach to analyse the pros and cons of different diets and to debunk the nutrition myths popularised by the media. As a menopausal woman herself she provides an invaluable voice when it comes to nutrition post 40.
https://www.hotflashinc.com/subscribe Journalist and editor Ann Marie McQueen's blog is available via subscription and brings her vast knowledge and the very latest research direct to your inbox.
My favourite books on the Menopause
I am a total book worm and love to learn through reading. If you feel the same way then check out the books below...
Cracking the Menopause by Mariella Frostrup and Alice Smellie.
This is without a doubt my favourite book on the subject of menopause (and I say that having read a LOT of them)! It is positively encyclopedic in terms of its content. Frostrup adopts an 'everything you need to know' approach with wit, humour and sensitivity. I chose to listen to the audio-book rather than read the printed text, and would highly recommend this. Why would you not choose to listen to her gorgeous voice!?
In addition to covering the usual terrain of a menopause book, Frostrup adds a wealth of additional insights. She discusses everything from the use of CBD oil and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, to how the menopause effects a woman's relationships, work-life, sex-life, skin and hair. Her references are vast and evidence-based. Furthermore, she cites experts and experiences from different backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities to produce a depiction of the menopause which all women can relate to.
Menopausing by Davina McCall & Dr. Naomi Potter.
I chose to listen to this as an audio book, which was like listening to an incredibly knowledgeable and compassionate friend. McCall tells you everything you need to know about the menopause with a particular focus on the benefits of HRT. She adopts an inclusive approach and, together with Dr Naomi Potter, provides clear and accessible explanations for all of the scientific references. McCall has written this book 'from the heart', and it shows. She brings her personal experience and that of hundreds of other women (and men) to the book, which helps the reader to feel like they are part of a community going through this together.
Menopocalyspe by Amanda Thebe.
This was the first book I read on the subject of menopause, having been inspired by Thebe in a lecture she delivered on Nutrition in Menopause as part of my Nutrition Course. Thebe is a women's health, fitness and menopause expert. She provides a refreshingly frank, honest and often hilarious account of her own peri-post menopause journey, alongside practical recommendations for how to manage and lessen your own symptoms through fitness - with a focus on strength training, nutrition and hormone therapy.
Preparing for the Menopause and Perimenopause by Dr Louise Newson.
Considered one of the UK's leading experts on the Menopause - Dr Newson is a GP, author and Director of Newson Health Ltd Menopause centre. She also produced the Confidence in Menopause course designed to educate GPs and health professionals on the menopause. This book provides a concise but thorough explanation and guide.
Understand the risks
This infographic puts the risk factor of hormone therapy in to perspective alongside other lifestyle factors.