20 Ways To Ease Menopausal Symptoms

There’s more to getting through the menopause than HRT – try these tips to help you feel better every day

While the menopause isn’t necessarily easy, there’s relief available if you know where to look. ‘Although HRT remains the first-line treatment for menopausal symptoms for most women, it may not be an option for others,’ says Dr Louise Newson, GP and author of Menopause (£12.99, Haynes). ‘It’s essential to take a holistic approach and optimise your lifestyle.’ That’s why we asked menopause expert and nutritional therapist Alison Cullen for her tips on how to help fix your symptoms – fast!

Painful joints

Oestrogen is a soft tissue relaxant so, as levels fall during the menopause, ligaments become less elastic, causing aches and pains.

1 Rather than reaching for the ibuprofen, explore some natural anti-inflammatory remedies, such as devil’s claw and arnica.

2 Keep a check on your diet. Highly-processed foods and those containing too much refined sugar or salt can irritate joints.

3 Stay active, but don’t do too much extreme exercise. If you push yourself too hard it can cause exhaustion and irritate joints further. Try gentle, but effective, forms of exercise such as swimming, yoga, walking or t’ai chi.

Thinning hair

Falling oestrogen levels affect the growth cycle of your hair. As can low iron, especially if you’ve had heavy periods for the past few months.

4 Up your intake of protein and iron, such as leafy green veg, pistachios, cashews, lentils, chickpeas and prunes.

5 Be active and ask your GP to check for low thyroid function, especially if there’s no improvement after three months.