18/10/2026
💜 Today is World Menopause Day!
Yes ladies, we have a day dedicated to what we feel is the unraveling of our body and mind!
So, I was having a wee think to myself this morning, while I slurped my Sunday smoothie…
About how much information there is available to us now regarding this time in our lives, in comparison to what was available for my mum and my grandmother.
And I asked myself…
Are we any better off?
Do we feel any better? Or do we just know more about it?
Or do we have so much information available that we’re actually feeling overwhelmed by it all?
Because let’s be honest, ladies, you can hardly open social media these days without someone telling you what you should be eating, what supplements you should be taking, what you should avoid, how you should be exercising and what you should be doing to balance your hormones!
And if you follow all the advice, you might need a second job just to pay for it all. 😂
But seriously, it got me thinking…
💜 ARE WE LOOKING AT THE WHOLE WOMAN, OR JUST HER HORMONES?
Of course, our hormones play a huge part in menopause. We know that changing oestrogen levels can affect us in all sorts of ways, from our sleep and mood to our skin, bones and cardiovascular system, our memory, concentration and how we feel within ourselves.
But could there be more to the picture?
It’s not only our “ reproductive hormones” it’s all of our hormones …
Then there’s nutrition, Our stress levels, The quality of our sleep, Our physical health, The environment we live in and the demands we place on ourselves every single day?
Surely these things deserve a place in the conversation too?
🧠 LET’S TALK ABOUT OUR BRAINS!
Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you went in?
Forgotten a word you’ve used a thousand times?
Started a sentence and halfway through wondered where on earth you were going with it?
And then looked at yourself and thought, What is happening to me?
Brain fog and difficulties with concentration are experiences many women report during the menopause transition.
Researchers are exploring how changing oestrogen levels affect the way our brains use energy, including the role of mitochondria. These are tiny structures inside our cells that help produce the energy our cells need to function.
It’s fascinating stuff, really!
There’s still a lot we don’t know, but it reminds us that menopause is not simply about our periods stopping. Hormonal changes can affect us in ways that reach far beyond our reproductive system.
And if we’re struggling, we deserve understanding and support, not just a shrug and a “well, that’s menopause!”
🥑 NOW, WHAT ABOUT WHAT WE PUT ON OUR PLATES?
Our brains and bodies need nourishment. That might sound obvious, but how often do we actually stop and think about whether we’re giving ourselves what we need?
Are we getting enough protein, fibre, vegetables and healthy fats?
Are we eating a varied diet that supplies the vitamins and minerals our bodies rely on?
And what about omega-3 fatty acids?
EPA and DHA, found in oily fish, play important roles in normal brain function and overall health. There’s interest in how these fats might be relevant during menopause, although we can’t promise that taking an omega-3 supplement will clear brain fog.
Why? Well we have already established, there’s a much bigger picture at work… it’s multifaceted.
And that’s an important distinction, isn’t it?
Understanding what our bodies need, physically nutritionally, environmentally, socially, emotionally and spiritually rather than believing there’s a single magic pill for every symptom, be that a pharmaceutical or a supplement.
And please tell me I’m not the only one who has spent years making sure everyone else has been fed before thinking about what I’m having myself! 🙋♀️ Nutrition provides the building blocks for our body and mind, always remember your car drives better on premium fuel not budget fuel.
🌿 AND THEN THERE’S THE WORLD WE LIVE IN…
We live in a very different world from our mums and grandmothers.
We have different lifestyles, different pressures, different foods available to us and greater exposure to a range of substances in our everyday environment.
Some chemicals are being investigated for their potential effects on hormone signalling and health. We still have much to learn, but we have to ask could these environmental exposures explain why some women experience a more difficult menopause.
I do think it’s worth being curious, asking questions and making sensible, informed choices where we can
💗SOMETHING ELSE I THINK WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT… STRESS!
We live in a world that rarely encourages us to slow down.
We’re working, raising families, caring for others, running homes, juggling responsibilities and trying to remember everything we’re supposed to be doing.
And even when we sit down, are we really resting?
Or are we scrolling through our phones, making mental shopping lists and worrying about what needs done tomorrow?
Our brains can be busy even when our bodies are still.
Persistent stress can affect our sleep, mood and ability to cope. Now add night sweats, interrupted sleep, hormonal changes and exhaustion into the mix.
It’s hardly surprising that some women feel as though they’re running on empty.
So when do we give ourselves permission to stop?
Because we need time to rest, recharge and look after ourselves too.
This is where relaxation becomes important …
Whether it’s a walk outdoors, time with a good book, breathing exercises, a little quiet time or a treatment ( with me of course!) that allows you to switch off for a while, finding ways to make space for yourself matters.
And ladies, we don’t have to earn that time by running ourselves into the ground first!
💜 SO, ARE WE BETTER OFF THAN OUR MUMS AND GRANDMOTHERS?
I think we have access to a great deal more information. We have more opportunities to learn about our bodies, ask questions and explore the support available to us.
That’s a good thing!
But I wonder whether having more information always translates into feeling better.
Sometimes it can empower us. Sometimes it can leave us confused, overwhelmed or wondering whether we’re doing enough.
Perhaps what we need isn’t another list of things we feel we’re getting wrong.
Perhaps we need to step back and look at the bigger picture.
Our hormones matter. Our nutrition matters. Our sleep, stress, physical health and emotional wellbeing matter.
We can’t control everything, but we can have awareness that if symptoms are affecting our quality of life, we don’t have to struggle through them.
First and foremost, we can talk to each other, please never feel alone with your symptoms.
We can speak to our GP or a menopause-informed healthcare professional about the options available, which may include whether HRT might be appropriate.
This is what I mean when I talk about looking at the whole woman as an individual
Our bodies are unique
It’s about understanding our bodies, making informed choices and recognising that we deserve care and support through this stage of life.
Yes! menopause is a natural transition, but it doesn’t mean we should struggle through it
Let’s keep asking questions. Let’s keep learning. Let’s look beyond what we already think we know, and, most importantly, let’s look at the whole woman.
Now, I’m curious…
💬 What do you think? Are women better informed about menopause today, or has the sheer amount of information left us more overwhelmed than ever?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
