The holiday season can be a whirlwind of joy and activity, but for those navigating perimenopause, it can also bring unwelcome challenges. The fluctuating hormones during this phase can intensify symptoms just when you need to be at your best. Fear not, though, as there are some creative ways to help alleviate these symptoms and reclaim your festive spirit.

Perimenopause, the transitional phase leading to menopause, brings about various hormonal changes in a woman's body. While hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue and weight gain are commonly associated with perimenopause, joint pain can also be a significant concern.

Under the microscope today are the Genitourinary Symptoms of Menopause, or GSM for short. GSM is a chronic, progressive condition that affects our vulvas, vaginas, lower urinary tract, and sometimes our sex lives. It used to be called vulvovaginal atrophy, atrophic vaginitis, or urogenital atrophy and has a broad range of symptoms, ranging from the mild to severe and can have a huge effect on our quality of life.

Coping with menopause symptoms in the workplace can be tricky especially with the knowledge that menopause is not currently protected by the employment equality act in Ireland or a lot of other countries!

Let’s face it, medical appointments can cause a lot of anxiety. This can be for a myriad of reasons; we may have had disappointing or traumatic experiences in the past with medical professionals, we may be afraid of what they will tell us, or we may feel awkward or embarrassed about discussing our menopausal symptoms with a doctor.

Transitioning through menopause can be so incredibly isolating and we deserve the best of care and compassion when we reach out for help with the symptoms we are experiencing. With the current model of health care, we must trust that we are the experts in our own bodies and be prepared to advocate for ourselves to access this care. To make sure that you are in the know when it comes to building your “Menopause Team”, let us delve into which healthcare professional you might need depending on your symptoms.

Have you noticed as you transition through menopause that you don’t feel as sharp as you once did? Or that your attention span has diminished, never mind your recall? Learn more about why and how you can manage this in this months blog….

Menopause is a critical period for our bone health, as hormonal changes and the aging process can lead to a higher risk of osteoporosis, a condition causing weakened and brittle bones. Learn more in this months blog on why this happens and how to reduce the risk.

Pre-menopausal women experience lower rates of cardiovascular disease than men or post-menopausal women. Here's how menopause symptoms and cardiovascular health are related…..

Exercise is widely recognised as an excellent tool for symptom management in perimenopause and it also has some incredible added health benefits.

There are many factors that influence the amount and choice of food we eat. In addition, the nutritional needs of our body change as we progress through life and scientists are only beginning to learn how nutrition can help with perimenopausal symptoms. Couple this with the endless wheel of pills, potions and quick fix diets and we are left confused and disheartened. Focusing in on symptoms and improving overall health can be a great place to start.

Did you know that weight gain can be a symptom of perimenopause? As we approach the menopause, we may notice that our clothes don’t seem to fit us the same way – particularly around the abdomen. The reason behind this can be hormonal shifts that occur during perimenopause, but there may be other factors involved.

Perimenopause is a transitional time in a menstruating person’s life in the lead up to the final menstrual period (FMP). Whilst this is a natural part of the aging process and not to be feared, 75% develop symptoms which can vary from the inconvenient, to extremely disruptive - impacting home and/or work life.