I started my menopause journey in my mid to later 40's but it wasn't until I had turned 50 that I finally understood what was happening to me and found a helpful GP, a private specialist and settled on the right combination of HRT. Whilst I am a huge supporter of taking a natural approach with diet, fitness and lifestyle, this wasn't enough for me and I decided that the benefits of oestrogen were too high not to take it. I spent an awful lot of money and time and went through a lot of anguish, depression and anxiety until I was able to finally to say I had mastered my hormones!
I have written a lot about my menopause in my blogs, I have also read a lot of books, other blogs, facebook posts, listened to podcasts and spoken to other women.
The purpose of this page is to point you in the right direction so you hopefully get a quicker outcome than I did! Whether it be HRT or lifestyle and nutrition I hope you will find something on my pages that helps you.
I am always happy to answer any questions about my own experience but obviously I am not an expert, just a post-menopause woman who understands. If you would like to get in touch, you can email me at michelle@fiftyandfab.co.uk.
I have written a lot about my menopause in my blogs, I have also read a lot of books, other blogs, facebook posts, listened to podcasts and spoken to other women.
The purpose of this page is to point you in the right direction so you hopefully get a quicker outcome than I did! Whether it be HRT or lifestyle and nutrition I hope you will find something on my pages that helps you.
I am always happy to answer any questions about my own experience but obviously I am not an expert, just a post-menopause woman who understands. If you would like to get in touch, you can email me at michelle@fiftyandfab.co.uk.
My blog posts
Start here ...
Peri menopause | Why I decided to take HRT
10 tips for managing menopause
The best duvet for menopause and night sweats
What is the difference between bio-identical HRT and body-identical HRT
HRT Gel Reviews | Why I've swapped from Oestrogel to Sandrena plus progesterone intolerance
Understanding progesterone intolerance and HRT side effects with The Menopause Coach
A summary of my recommendations, resources and experts that helped me!
Podcasts
Dr Louise Newson, The Menopause Doctor
Trying to right 20 years of misinformation and hysteria about HRT with Professor Rob Langer
Dr Louise Newson, The Menopause Doctor
Kate Muir: I cannot let this happen to other people
Liz Earle Wellbeing
Has an extensive series of podcasts relating to the menopause, see the full list here
Private Specialists
My menopause specialist is Mr Michael Savvas at The London PMS & Menopause Clinic.
Other recommendations include:
The Menopause Support Network - Consultations
Newson Health Menopause & Wellbeing Centre
Health & Her offer online consultations for just £99, please read my review here
Books
Cracking the menopause: while keeping everything together by Mariella Frostrup and Alice Smellie
Everything you need to know about menopause (but were too afraid to ask) by Kate Muir
Preparing for the peri-menopause and menopause by Dr Louise Newson
Estrogen Matters: Why taking hormones in menopause can improve women's wellbeing and lengthen their lives - without raising the risk of breast cancer
The Business of Menopause: A Guide for Working Women by Bev Thorogood
Apps and educational resources
My Menopause Doctor from Dr Louise Newson is one of the best menopause information websites there is.
Liz Earle Wellbeing has lots of menopause information and her podcasts are really worth listening to.
Understanding Menopause for Men
What we really need is for our men to understand what we are going through, to help us recognise the symptoms of perimenopause when maybe we can't see them and to support us in finding the right help. But unfortunately men are totally baffled by the changes in us, they find it really difficult to help and we often just shut them out. The best guide for men is from Menopause Support and it is called The Menopause Support Guide to Understanding Menopause for Men. Send your man the link or print it off for them! Most men want to help but just don't know how.
The British Menopause Society
The British Menopause Society educates, informs and guides healthcare professionals on menopause and is an excellent place to check all the latest information about menopause and to find a specialist.
Campaigns
Menopause Support and #MakeMenopauseMatter Campaign is a not for profit community interest company, both the company and the campaign were founded by Diane Danzebrink. Diane also has an excellent Facebook page The Menopause Support Network where you can chat to other women and ask menopause related questions, look for the resources in the files section too.
Paustivity Campaign and #KnowYourMenopause Support Pack aims to take away the fear and confusion when menopause symptoms affect the body and mind.
Supplements
There are lots of supplements, vitamins etc that claim to relieve menopausal symptoms. I personally found that the benefits were very limited for severe symptoms and I wasted a lot of money when really I needed HRT. I am sure that they might help some women but be cautious and do your research first. There are some supplements though that I think are essential for everyone and especially in midlife and I have written about it on my blog What supplements do I need in midlife? These include Vitamin D, Probiotics, and Magnesium.
Nutrition
There is absolutely no doubt that healthy lifestyle choices and good nutrition will help us during menopause and at any stage in our lives. I am a huge supporter of looking after ourselves and making good nutritional choices. I would absolutely recommend consulting a good nutritionist with in-depth knowledge of menopause. But for me, I still needed HRT. I have two blog posts you might find useful - Nutrition for menopause with Evie Nutrition and How to tell the difference between thyroid and menopause.
Start here ...
Peri menopause | Why I decided to take HRT
10 tips for managing menopause
The best duvet for menopause and night sweats
What is the difference between bio-identical HRT and body-identical HRT
HRT Gel Reviews | Why I've swapped from Oestrogel to Sandrena plus progesterone intolerance
Understanding progesterone intolerance and HRT side effects with The Menopause Coach
A summary of my recommendations, resources and experts that helped me!
Podcasts
Dr Louise Newson, The Menopause Doctor
Trying to right 20 years of misinformation and hysteria about HRT with Professor Rob Langer
Dr Louise Newson, The Menopause Doctor
Kate Muir: I cannot let this happen to other people
Liz Earle Wellbeing
Has an extensive series of podcasts relating to the menopause, see the full list here
Private Specialists
My menopause specialist is Mr Michael Savvas at The London PMS & Menopause Clinic.
Other recommendations include:
The Menopause Support Network - Consultations
Newson Health Menopause & Wellbeing Centre
Health & Her offer online consultations for just £99, please read my review here
Books
Cracking the menopause: while keeping everything together by Mariella Frostrup and Alice Smellie
Everything you need to know about menopause (but were too afraid to ask) by Kate Muir
Preparing for the peri-menopause and menopause by Dr Louise Newson
Estrogen Matters: Why taking hormones in menopause can improve women's wellbeing and lengthen their lives - without raising the risk of breast cancer
The Business of Menopause: A Guide for Working Women by Bev Thorogood
Apps and educational resources
My Menopause Doctor from Dr Louise Newson is one of the best menopause information websites there is.
Liz Earle Wellbeing has lots of menopause information and her podcasts are really worth listening to.
Understanding Menopause for Men
What we really need is for our men to understand what we are going through, to help us recognise the symptoms of perimenopause when maybe we can't see them and to support us in finding the right help. But unfortunately men are totally baffled by the changes in us, they find it really difficult to help and we often just shut them out. The best guide for men is from Menopause Support and it is called The Menopause Support Guide to Understanding Menopause for Men. Send your man the link or print it off for them! Most men want to help but just don't know how.
The British Menopause Society
The British Menopause Society educates, informs and guides healthcare professionals on menopause and is an excellent place to check all the latest information about menopause and to find a specialist.
Campaigns
Menopause Support and #MakeMenopauseMatter Campaign is a not for profit community interest company, both the company and the campaign were founded by Diane Danzebrink. Diane also has an excellent Facebook page The Menopause Support Network where you can chat to other women and ask menopause related questions, look for the resources in the files section too.
Paustivity Campaign and #KnowYourMenopause Support Pack aims to take away the fear and confusion when menopause symptoms affect the body and mind.
Supplements
There are lots of supplements, vitamins etc that claim to relieve menopausal symptoms. I personally found that the benefits were very limited for severe symptoms and I wasted a lot of money when really I needed HRT. I am sure that they might help some women but be cautious and do your research first. There are some supplements though that I think are essential for everyone and especially in midlife and I have written about it on my blog What supplements do I need in midlife? These include Vitamin D, Probiotics, and Magnesium.
Nutrition
There is absolutely no doubt that healthy lifestyle choices and good nutrition will help us during menopause and at any stage in our lives. I am a huge supporter of looking after ourselves and making good nutritional choices. I would absolutely recommend consulting a good nutritionist with in-depth knowledge of menopause. But for me, I still needed HRT. I have two blog posts you might find useful - Nutrition for menopause with Evie Nutrition and How to tell the difference between thyroid and menopause.