Menopause Awareness | Menopause Training | Menopause Wellbeing
Podcasts
Introducing Menopause NI
We are delighted to launch the Menopause NI website which is packed full of useful information about the menopause.
Siobhan Kearney, Founder of Menopause NI, shares her menopause journey
I wanted to share my menopause journey in the hope it may help some of you understand what to look out for. We had fun making it .. so I hope you enjoy 😊
Siobhan from Menopause NI and Catherine Martin from Women Gone Strong talk about exercise and nutrition for the menopause
I have been working with Catherine to make changes I know were so much needed to support my menopause journey.
We had fun making this one, so I hope you enjoy 😊
Dr Anne Monaghan shares some top yoga tips with Menopause NI to help us manage menopausal symptoms. Using the Rag Doll pose can help alleviate stress.
Dr Anne Monaghan shares some top yoga tips with Menopause NI to help manage menopausal symptoms. The Downward Dog pose helps us to maintain flexibility.
Catherine Murnin from the Wellbeing Pathway talks to Menopause NI and gives us some top tips on looking after our mental health during the menopause.
Mary from Garden with Mary talks to Menopause NI about the importance of getting out in nature to help manage our mental health during the menopause.
Dr. Anne Monaghan and Siobhan, Founder of Menopause NI, chat about how yoga and complementary therapies can support us in our menopausal journey.
Catherine Martin from Women Gone Strong talks to Menopause NI about the importance of nutrition during the menopause.
Aine Boyle from Good Food Nutrition shares her top tips for eating during the menopause and perimenopause
Aine Boyle from Good Food Nutrition talks about the importance of diet to support sleep during the menopause
What is insulin resistance and what can we do to manage it in the menopause. In this video Aine Boyle from Good Food Nutrition offers guidance on how to manage this through diet and exercise.
Dr. Gwyneth Hinds Video series
Breast Cancer and Menopause
In this video Dr. Gwyneth Hinds talks about breast cancer and menopause.
Dr. Hinds talks about having breast cancer and trying to cope with menopause symptoms. She talks about some of the treatments that are available and how important it is to get the best support from your Oncologist or menopause expert.
HRT and breast cancer
In this video Dr. Gwyneth Hinds talks about HRT and the risk of breast cancer.
She talks about the small increased risk and also the increase in up to date information available to us when considering HRT.
She provides evidence based information in this short video and is important for women to have the facts.
Menopause and vaginal atrophy
The menopause can bring many challenges, but some are harder to talk about than others. One of these is vaginal dryness. But we still need to know how this can effect us as we go through the menopause.
Dr. Gwyneth Hinds shares her knowledge and expertise to help understand more about this subject and provides information on managing this symptom.
Menopause and incontinence
In this video Dr. Gwyneth Hinds talks about incontinence.
It is sometimes thought of as an "old persons" condition. But is is quite common in menopause, but Dr. Hinds talks to us in this video about what causes this, the impact it can have and importantly, the practical things we can to manage this.
Menopause and loss of libido
In this video Dr. Gwyneth Hinds talks about menopause and loss of libido.
She talks about what it is how it happens and how it comes into the menopause. She also talks about the things we can do about this.
Dr. Liz Simpson, Ulster University Video Series
Menopause and Cognition
Dr. Liz Simpson from Ulster University, is a dedicated researcher in the field of menopause. We are delighted to have Dr. Simpson join us at MenopauseNI to share her invaluable insights and research findings on menopause and cognition and how a reduction in oestrogen can contribute to brain fog, a reduction in memory and impaired cognitive function. In this videos she share her expertise and the research findings helps inform us on practical steps we can take, making this video a valuable resource for anyone navigating the menopausal journey.
Menopause and Soy Products
Dr. Liz Simpson talks about the impact of the menopause on physical and mental health and how life events can impact our psychological wellbeing. Dr. Simpson shares the research findings on the Alpro Study looking at the health benefits of soy products on menopausal symptoms.
Menopause and Physical Activity
Dr. Liz Simpson talks to us about the importance of physical activity during the perimenopause and menopause. This video shares the research carried out by Dr. Simpson on the benefits of physical activity in managing menopausal symptoms. This video encourages us to take small steps to increase our exercise, whether that be going to the gym, taking a walk or being more vigorous in everyday activities.
Menopause and The Mind Diet
Dr. Liz Simson from Ulster University shares research findings on how the "Mind Diet" can contribute to the management of menopausal symptoms. This is an interesting watch talking about weight gain and why this happens, and provides us with a lot of information and encouragement to look at our diet, and along with the other videos Dr. Liz has shared with us, provides us with inspiration to take manageable steps to help in the transition through the menopause.
useful links
FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT THESE USEFUL SITES
Balance Menopause - www.balance-menopause.com
NICE guidelines 2015 Menopause: diagnosis and management - www.nice.org.uk
Women's Health Concern - www.womens-health-concern.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at hello@menopauseni.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
The menopause is a part of ageing that usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman's oestrogen levels decline. It refers to the point in time when menstruation has ceased for twelve consecutive months.
It can happen any time up until a woman’s mid 60s or a premature menopause can occur in women before the age of 45. It is estimated 1 in 20 women will go through an early menopause
In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 51.
The perimenopause, which is the period of hormonal change leading up to the menopause, can often last for four to five years although for some women it may continue for many more years or for others last just a few months.
During the time of the perimenopause women may begin to experience symptoms due to changes in their hormone levels.
These symptoms may vary in degree between different individuals from mild to very significant.
The symptoms of the menopause vary from one individual to another. It is important that you are aware of the symptoms, you can use the symptom checker on the website.
Some women who have other medical conditions, for example, fibromyalgia, may find it difficult to distinguish between existing symptoms and those of the menopause.
Knowledge and understanding are important for you, and we all know our bodies, it is about listening to what is happening and listing the things that are different. Keeping a diary, or use the Balance Menopause App, is so important when we seek to understand what is happening to us.
There are varied symptoms of the menopause, and every woman will experience her own unique menopause. However, the information below is an excellent guide to symptoms you might expect as you approach your menopause. These have been developed by Dr Louise Newson is a GP and Menopause Specialist who works to increase awareness and knowledge of the perimenopause and menopause, and campaigns for better menopause care for all women.
Period changes: This is often the first sign. You can experience a change in flow and your periods will become less frequent, before stopping completely.
Hot flushes: This is the most common symptom of all, affecting three out of four women. Hot flushes can come on suddenly at any time of day, spreading throughout your face, chest and body. For some women they may last for moments, for others several minutes. Hot flushes can have associated symptoms such as sweating, dizziness or even heart palpitations.
Night sweats: Many women find they wake up drenched in sweat and have to change their pyjamas or bed clothes. This can also be a disruptive symptom for partners too.
Mood changes: Some women who suffer from mood changes find they are very disruptive to work and home life. You may find mood changes more common if you have had premenstrual syndrome in the past.
Fatigue and poor sleep: Poor sleep can be related to night sweats, but you may find you are more tired during the day even if your sleep is not affected.
Brain fog: This is a collective term for symptoms such as memory slips, poor concentration, difficultly absorbing information and a feeling your brain is like ‘cotton wool’. Brain fog can not only present a challenge while at work, it can also affect the simplest of tasks like reading a book or listening to the radio.
Loss of sexual desire: It is common to lose interest in and pleasure from sex around the time of the menopause; feeling tired, having a low mood and experiencing night sweats can all be contributing factors. There is also a hormonal reason why your libido may feel rock-bottom. Women have testosterone, as well as men, and this hormone can influence our sex-drive. Testosterone levels tend to decline in women during the menopause which may lead to less interest in sex.
Joint pains and muscle aches: Oestrogen is very important in providing lubrication for your joints and preventing inflammation, so low levels can leave your joints sore and aching.
Hair and skin changes: Oestrogen helps to build collagen - the protein that protects the structure of our skin. Lower levels of estrogen can lead to reduced elasticity, fine lines and dryness. Some women find their skin becomes itchier, or they develop acne. Changing hormones can also make your hair thinner and less glossy, and you may notice increased facial hair growth.
Worsening migraines: If you suffer from migraines, you may find they become more severe and closer together.
Vaginal and urinary symptoms: Low oestrogen can cause the tissues around the vagina to become thinner, dry, itchy and inflamed, known as vaginal atrophy . Your vagina also expands less easily during sex, making sex uncomfortable or painful. Low oestrogen also thins the lining of the bladder, leading to the urge to urinate more frequently. Some women find they have recurrent urinary tract infections.
Articles
Menopause NI