Dr Natalie Blakely and Dr Cherry Armstrong of the Light Touch Clinic share their tips for making the menopause more manageable...
Fatigue, hot flashes, thinning hair… most of us are au fait with the common symptoms of the menopause. However, often overlooked, an imbalance of hormones during the menopause can also have a pronounced impact on mental wellbeing with women experiencing anxiety, mood swings, brain fog and even rage. Menopause symptoms really do vary from person to person. Whilst some lucky ladies sail through with only slight symptoms, for others, the menopause can be a very difficult time.
However, Dr Natalie Blakely and Dr Cherry Armstrong are here to show you that it is not all bad news. They insist that with careful lifestyle adjustments and hormone management, the menopause is nothing to be feared. Who’s to say that your 50s can’t be the best decade of your life?
Dr Natalie Blakely’s menopause survival guide:
A lot of women worry about putting on weight during the menopause. Whilst an imbalance of hormones during this period can make women more susceptible to weight gain, it’s important to acknowledge that our lifestyle changes as we get older, and this can affect our weight too.
As we age, many of us become less active yet we do not make dietary changes to accommodate for this decrease in activity. Whilst I'm not saying you should start marathon training tomorrow, do keep active and eat mindfully. Choose low GI foods and try to limit the amount of processed sugar you consume.
Get your beauty sleep! Sleep is criminally underrated. Though the odd late night won’t hurt, a poor sleep schedule can exacerbate fatigue during the menopause. You really want to be getting 6 to 8 hours of shut-eye a night.
There are a lot of supplements that can help ease menopause symptoms. I often recommend Ashwagandha and Rhodiola to patients struggling with energy, sleep and stress. If your mind is abuzz with thoughts when you go to sleep, Ashwagandha can help you drift off by easing stress and anxiety. This supplement works hand-in-hand with Rhodiola, a yellow flower that hails from the Arctic, which boosts energy during the day and can help shake off mental fatigue.
If your menopause symptoms are getting too much, do not be afraid to ask for help. Hormone replacement therapy can stabilise hormone levels within the body and help you feel more like yourself. Unlike traditional hormone replacement therapy, you may have tried or thought about trying in the past, consider undergoing a bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. These hormones match the ones that your body naturally produces on a molecular level which makes them more compatible. In addition, your practitioner is able to build a bespoke prescription which specifically matches what your body needs. Ladies may be surprised to learn that they might need a little extra testosterone!
How does bio-identical hormone replacement therapy work?
Dr Cherry Armstrong talks us through the treatment process:
Before undergoing any treatment, you are invited to a thorough, one-hour consultation so that we can gain a better understanding of your symptoms and your current lifestyle. This consultation is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the menopause and hormones.
If a hormone imbalance is suspected, we will do a blood test after your consultation so that we can see what is going on inside. We usually get the results back within a day or so and will schedule a follow-up appointment so we can discuss your results with you in detail. I never like patients to feel rushed so this consultation is 30 minutes, allowing ample time for patients to ask questions. Based on the results of your blood test, we will put together a personal prescription of treatment to help stabilise your hormones and get you feeling like your usual, vivacious self.
Regular reviews will be booked to keep an eye on your hormone levels and ensure that your prescription is up to date.
To learn more about bio-identical hormone replacement therapy please see the Light Touch Clinic website or call 01932 849552 to book a consultation.
And it's not just women that suffer from the menopause! Decreasing testosterone levels in men as they age can lead to similar symptoms of physical and mental fatigue. Check out William Gadsby Peet's experience at the LTC's testosterone clinic for more information on the male menopause and how it can be offset.
