You Want Relief from Your Menopause Symptoms But It’s So Confusing. Here’s What You Should Do

When you’re struggling with your menopause symptoms, it can be incredibly hard to know where to turn for reliable advice.

Different websites often provide conflicting information, it often feels like you need to sacrifice all those pleasures in life and it’s all so confusing and overwhelming.

One source might tell you that HRT is the best solution, whereas another suggests bioidentical hormones and yet another tells you that they’re all a terrible idea.

One might offer you antidepressants, blood pressure medication or even put you on the pill. Others tell you to exercise regularly, avoid spicy food, caffeine and alcohol, quit smoking, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, practice yoga and Tai Chi, boost your calcium intake, and even consider taking one of the many supplements or herbs that are available...

Phew! No wonder we’re confused. There are too many choices and it feels overwhelming, right?

But you know me. I like to be frank, honest and give you simple steps to soothe your perimenopause and menopause journey so you can find relief from your menopause symptoms without ever feeling overwhelmed.

Today I’d like to run through a few of the questions I get asked most often by my menopausal ladies and help you beat that confusion and find the best solution for you.

Should I be avoiding spicy foods?

I’ve heard so many times that menopausal women should avoid spicy foods to reduce hot flushes and even mood swings. But this advice is misleading and incorrect.

Foods that contain turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and saffron offer some wonderful therapeutic properties that can help reduce symptoms of the perimenopause and menopause and improve your overall health. These have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties so are absolutely wonderful for soothing symptoms such as low energy, migraines, hot flushes, painful periods and stiffness.

It’s spicy foods such as chilis which might not help you during this phase so might be best avoided.

What about exercise?

Exercise is another difficult one when it comes to coping better with their symptoms of the menopause.

While exercise is a great way that you can stay healthy, it might not always be the best choice, especially if you’re feeling so tired you can barely get through the day or you’re up all night with those night sweats.

Pushing yourself to go to the gym, do that spin class or even head out for a run might not be the right choice for you and might even push you further into that downward spiral when your menopause symptoms become more of a problem.

Yes, exercise can be beneficial but you might be better off staying at home and enjoying a warm bath and an early night instead. If you’re tired, extend this self care time to a few months where you get to bed early, eat wholesome nourishing foods, really listen to the signals your body is giving you. If you need to rest, rest.

But I need to eat healthy, right?

Many of my menopause clients come to me thinking that in order to eat a nourishing diet, they need to start living purely on salads and fruit. They’re unwilling to give up their favourite foods to deprive themselves like this.

But this isn’t what eating healthy is really about. There are many wonderful foods that help with menopause symptoms naturally and they taste mouth-watering and satisfying. They’re often packed with anti-inflammatory properties and contain lots of nutrients too.

If you'd like to enjoy an easy, delicious and nutrient-packed recipe that I love, click here. 

What should I do instead?

So how do you start making sense of all the information about natural relief for the menopause without feeling overwhelmed?

I’d recommend that you start by keeping a lifestyle diary. This will help highlight any areas of your life that you can change quickly and easily and notice results fast.

Are you getting enough sleep? Do you use a computer, iPad, e-reader, or watch the television until just before you go to bed? What are your eating habits like? Do you skip meals? How many veggies do you include with your meals?

Once you have that information, start by changing those things before you reach for a supplement or other seemingly easy solution that might work for a week or two then stop.

The truth is, most of what you read about the menopause could perhaps be right for some ladies. They do provide relief. But there isn’t a one size fits all approach that will get results for all ladies. Nor is there a quick-fix that will help you change how you feel overnight.

Get to know yourself and you can find the best way to get lasting relief from your menopause symptoms without feeling overwhelmed and confused. 

If you'd like my guidance and support, please contact me.