The menopause is the time which menstruation ceases.

The process occurs in three stages and can last between 6 & 7 years.

1. Pre-menopause - Starts around 8 years before menopause when approximately of 45-50 years of age, at which point hormonal changes start to occur with cycles and symptoms starting to be experienced.
2. Menopause - Early to mid fifties, period cessation.
3. Post-menopause - Mid to late fifties. When no more periods occur.

Symptoms

80% suffer from hot flushes and night sweats, 25% have lethargy, lack of concentration, irritability, aggressiveness, depression, mood swings or anxiety and memory problems. Other symptoms include weight gain, decreased libido, vaginal dryness, increased frequency of urination, decreasing muscular strength and joint-related aches/pains.

At Alternative Living we can offer some of the following:

1. Support hormone changes by concentrating on foods that have an estrogenic effect.
2. Control and reduce symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats & mood swings.
3. Help control weight gain & body composition.
4. Look at protection of bone loss due to higher risk of Osteoporosis.
5. Support adrenal function which produce your stress response as these take over after menopause to produce your sex hormones.

This is all necessary to help make for a smoother transition through the menopause making it a more pleasant experience.