Don't let hormones KILL YOUR CONFIDENCE

From weight gain to anxiety, menopause can shatter your self-esteem. Here's how to get it back

Hot flushes, night sweats, joint pain and vaginal dryness - menopause symptoms can knock you sideways! And it's not just your physical health that's impacted women can also experience anxiety, low moods and anger. Thank you, hormones.

Yes, declining oestrogen and progesterone can often make us feel like we've been hit by the Gatwick Express, twice. And with hormone levels dropping, we often feel our confidence is going the same way. 'For some women, coming to terms with the end of their reproductive years is difficult to accept,' says nutritional scientist Aisling Moran. 'Women also feel they don't have control of the physical changes happening, which can make them feel less self-assured.'

We speak to the experts about how to get a handle on our hormones and see menopause as our 'second coming'.

Overcome anxiety

Many women going through perimenopause or menopause suffer from anxiety or depression. 'Oestrogen helps maintain the balance of feel-good chemicals in the brain, as well as acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that enhances memory and alertness,' explains chartered psychologist Dr Meg Arroll. 'Therefore, a dip in oestrogen can lead to mood swings and anxiety.'