Michael Dooley and “YOU” Magazine Health Editor, Sarah Stacey have written a comprehensive book on an
integrated approach to feeling and looking good through the menopause and beyond, entitled “Your Change Your Choice” published by Hodder Mobius. If you have any problems in getting this book from your local bookshop,
please contact The Poundbury Clinic.

Background

The change of life happens to every woman, sooner or later, and is a natural event – not a medical disease.

Menopause means your last period. This happens because your ovaries have run out of eggs.
The average age of menopause in the UK is 51. Premature menopause is when your last period is before 45.

There are many symptoms associated with menopause. The most common are hot flushes and/or night
sweats, vaginal dryness, aches and pains, loss of sexual desire, bladder problems, insomnia, depression and
poor concentration. But these don’t affect every woman. In one big survey, half said they only had mild
(or no) symptoms, which didn’t affect their lives

Diagnosis

Mainly done on history but blood tests, especially if you have had a hysterectomy are helpful.

Treatment

If you do have symptoms, particularly hot flushes, night sweats or vaginal dryness, your doctor may offer you
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). This can be very helpful, especially if hot flushes are really making your life miserable. However recent research has shown that, in a percentage of women, HRT can have significant risks. It is not suitable for others because of pre-existing medical conditions. Additionally, many women in the West today prefer
to try a natural route. Research is showing that some medicinal herbs, particularly black cohosh, sage and
St Johns wort, also the Chinese herb dong quai (angelica) are helpful in banishing menopausal symptoms.
You can also buy herbal combination over the counter, such as Menoherbs, which may help.
Vitamin E supplements help vaginal dryness; take them by mouth and use the contents internally too
(make sure they are non-yeast containing). Simply breathing deeply can stop a hot flush in its tracks.

It also seems that many symptoms can be prevented, or lessened, by living a healthy and more relaxed lifestyle.

The following measures definitely help:

• positive attitude towards this stage of your life
• feeling good about yourself
• hopefulness about the rest of your life
• good support network with family and/or friends
• faith
• diet based on fresh organic food with plenty of phytoestrogens such as soya
• eating regularly every three hours
• drinking plenty of water
• physical activity outside in the light
• minimal stress and anxiety
• relaxation

Identifying and avoiding things that trigger your hot flushes is very useful. The likely ones are hot
spicy foods, alcohol, tea and coffee, smoking cigarettes, sudden changes of temperature and stress.
You may have others so play detective.

Alternative medicinal therapies help
many women, including:

• herbalism (Western and Chinese)
• homeopathy
• acupuncture
• nutritional therapy
• Complementary therapies that you enjoy
  and are relaxing are undoubtedly beneficial.

Reference - "Your Change Your Choice"
Published by Hodder Mobius, Michael Dooley and Sarah Stacey

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