Here’s an interesting thought – good luck and good health willing, you could live half your life in menopause. But how many of us know much about it? Or what we can do to improve our health during it?
‘The whole process doesn’t happen abruptly,’ says gynaecologist and menopause expert Dr Anne Henderson. ‘It starts with the perimenopause, in your mid to late 40s, when oestrogen levels start to decline. Many women don’t imagine they’re menopausal and they’re often misdiagnosed with depression, thyroid problems or other medical disorders.’
But understanding what’s happening to your body – and how you can help – can make a world of difference to your life. There’s a misconception that your body adapts to falling hormone levels at menopause, says Dr Henderson. ‘But it’s disingenuous to tell someone at 57 that she’s going to feel as well as she did at 47 – there becomes a new norm. That might mean adjusting to not sleeping as well, feeling more tired and having less physical or mental energy, concentration or focus, or a tendency to gain weight.’
What you can do
Changes to lifestyle, exercise and diet, and complementary therapies and remedies can all help. ‘The approach now to menopause is very much a holistic one,’ says Dr Henderson. ‘We’ve moved away from years ago when we were saying HRT is the answer to everything and away from more recent times when we were saying HRT is never the answer!’ The truth is somewhere in the middle – perhaps a mix of both.
Denne historien er fra September 08, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 08, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Patchwork PROJECTS
Easy ideas to show off English paper-piecing techniques
Night train to BERLIN
Germany's exciting and varied capital is now reachable by train from the UK
French FANCY
Raymond Blanc's right-hand man, Benoit Blin's favourite bakes
Are you missing out on BENEFITS?
Here's how to find out what you are eligible for
TRAY bien
All-in-one tray bakes, packed with flavour
We took a grown-up GAP YEAR!
Who says taking time out is just for students?
'I'm obsessed with reality TV!'
THIS WEEK'S COLUMNIST Author and presenter Louise Minchin
What to eat and do for A HEALTHIER GUT
Fix those problems and boost your wellbeing
Picture palaces
In an age of cinema complexes, we celebrate five historic and beautiful picture houses that have stood the test of time
'My diet during Bake Off is cake and alcohol!'
Dame Prue Leith on the popular baking contest