Best Menopause Relief Products

Menopause is a natural process that occurs when a woman ages and her ovaries stop producing as much oestrogen and progesterone as before and her menstrual cycles stop. This hormonal shift can lead to a host of uncomfortable symptoms. However, they can be managed effectively through treatments ranging from medications to lifestyle changes.

When does menopause start and how long does it last?

Menopause usually begins when a woman reaches her late 40s or early 50s and is marked by 12 months with no period. The symptoms of menopause and postmenopause normally last between 4-7 years with symptoms decreasing in intensity and frequency over time. The most common age women enter menopause is between 45 and 55, however, the age at which you start is most likely commonly determined by genes.

Surgical, medical and early menopause

Surgical/induced menopause

While menopause is a natural process that will happen to all women at some point in their lives, it can also be triggered earlier than usual by surgery. This is called induced or surgical menopause - it happens after the surgical removal of the ovaries and the symptoms will be the same as menopause, but more intense and acute rather than spanning a few years.

Medical menopause

Medical menopause can be triggered by some chemotherapy or hormonal therapy which damage the ovaries and may cause a temporary pause in menstruation, with symptoms similar to that of menopause. In some cases, menstruation occurs shortly after stopping treatment and in others, it doesn’t. In most cases where menstruation did reoccur after treatment, natural menopause nearly always began earlier than usual.

Certain breast cancer treatments and therapies can cause menopause-like symptoms without the body actually going through menopause.

Early and premature menopause

Early menopause refers to women who reach menopause before the age of 45 and premature menopause is for women who reach menopause before the age of 40. It’s worth talking to your GP if you are experiencing early or premature menopause as they can help diagnose this and manage the symptoms. The cause of this is mainly unknown but can be influenced by genetic conditions, lifestyle factors or autoimmune diseases.

Menopausal women face a higher risk of diseases such as osteoporosis, obesity, heart disease and diabetes which are all affected by estrogen. It is therefore recommended that those who have undergone early or premature menopause to take HRT until they are 51.

What are the stages of menopause?

The process occurs over three stages:

Perimenopause: During this stage, which can start a few years before menopause, your estrogen starts to decrease and your menstruation cycle becomes irregular but doesn’t stop entirely. This usually happens in your late 40s and you might notice some hot flashes and vaginal dryness. This is also known as the menopause transition stage.

Using an app to check the frequency and regularity of your periods can help you determine when you are reaching menopause. Keep in mind that it is still possible to get pregnant during this stage and caution must be taken if you wish to avoid this.

Menopause: This stage occurs 12 months after your final menstrual period, and the average age for this is 51. Symptoms of menopause can spike during this stage and ease with time. You are no longer at risk of becoming pregnant once you enter menopause.

Postmenopause: Postmenopause refers to anytime after you have naturally stopped menstruating for a year, and it marks the end of fertility. You will remain in this stage for the rest of your life. You may continue to face some symptoms, although they should lessen with time.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Most women will experience some menopausal symptoms, and these can range from manageable to severe. The most common symptoms include:

• Sleep disturbances
• Hot flushes
• Night sweats
• Urinary problems
• Vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex
• Low mood or anxiety
• Problems with memory and concentration
• Reduced libido
• Aches and pains
• Hair thinning or loss

At least two thirds of women have reported experiencing symptoms of menopause so if you are currently facing this, know you are not alone.

However, not all is doom and gloom - there are many natural supplements to prevent diseases related to low-estrogen and remedies to help combat the worst of menopausal symptoms.

Many popular brands selling menopause relief products include Remifemin, Fusion Health and BioCeuticals.

Menopause treatment options

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Also known as hormone therapy (HT) or menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), HRT is a medication that contains the hormones a woman’s body naturally stops producing in menopause such as oestrogen and progesterone. It can help ease all the symptoms of menopause at once and also reduce the likelihood of certain diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, bowel cancer and heart disease.

It is versatile and can come in the form of a tablet, patch, gel or implant.

There can be side effects, as with any medication and these include bloating, nausea, breakthrough bleeding and breast tenderness.

HRT is not suitable for those who have undergone breast cancer treatments in the past as it could increase the risk of the cancer re-emerging. There are also other health risks, therefore it’s useful to consult with your doctor to see if HRT is a good option for you.

Medicines for specific symptoms

Vaginal dryness: Vaginal oestrogen creams, lubricants or moisturisers

Hair thinning and loss: Minoxidil and anti-thinning shampoos

Insomnia: Melatonin and other sleeping aid medication

Anxiety and mood swings: SSRIs can be used to help manage mood

**UTIs: **Prophylactic antibiotics

Vitamins and minerals

Magnesium and calcium are important for everyone to maintain healthy bones but especially useful for those going through menopause as it can help prevent osteoporosis and joint problems. Magnesium is also helpful for sleeping as it relaxes the muscles and can be good for mood-related symptoms as well.

Vitamin B-6 supplements can be taken during menopause to help regulate serotonin levels. This is found naturally in foods such as pork, poultry, soya beans, peanuts, oats, bananas, milk and salmon.

**Vitamin D **is brilliant for bone health and has been shown to reduce symptoms of menopause such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleeping problems and poor concentration. Low mood is also a symptom of low vitamin D and mood can be boosted through a supplement, or preferably, through natural sunshine.

Vitamin E has been said to decrease the number of hot flushes menopausal women experience, it is an antioxidant that works by fighting free radicals and decreasing inflammation in the body. Foods containing vitamin E include avocados, almonds, hazelnuts, broccoli, shellfish, spinach and sunflower seeds.

Flaxseed can also help with easing night sweats.

Natural remedies

Certain lifestyle changes and talking therapies can help you cope with the changes occurring in your body:

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a form of talking therapy that can help you cope with low moods and anxiety.

It’s been advised by many physicians that eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly can ease symptoms of menopause.

Wearing adjustable and layered clothing can help with hot flushes as well as carrying an electric hand fan as needed for those moments. Keeping cool at night can be done with a fan, a dual electric blanket and by drinking cold liquids.

Taking time to de-stress through yoga, controlled breathing, hypnosis, acupuncture and yoga can go a long way in helping you naturally manage symptoms.

Your GP may refer you to a menopause specialist if your symptoms still do not improve after treatment.

You can browse reviews on our website to see which products helped other women relieve their menopause symptoms by comparing things such as value for money, how effective the product is at symptom relief and how quickly it worked.