The classic signs of menopause are hot flushes and night sweats, vaginal and menstrual changes leading up to it. The periods can be less frequent, lighter, heavier or erratic or stopping altogether.

~ Hot flushes ~ Night sweats ~ Vaginal dryness

~ Tiredness ~ Irritability ~ Loss of concentration

~ Depression ~ Irritability ~ Loss of confidence

~ Mood swings ~ Anxiety ~ Insomnia

~ Back and joint pain ~ Tiredness

Menopause is a natural event women go through.

The word menopause means simply last menstrual period. It is often said that women have no oestrogen after Menopause, but this is not strictly true. Although the production of oestrogen by the ovaries declines, women continue to produce oestrogen at lower levels by converting the hormone androgen (produced by the ovaries and adrenal gland) into oestrogen. This conversion primarily occurs in the body fat, explaining why plump women continue to produce more oestrogen than thin women do.

Some foods trigger hot flushes, so keep to a minimum spicy foods, alcoholic drinks and hot drinks such as coffee and tea. A woman needs a balanced diet of vegetables, fruit and grains

~ Vitamin E ~ Selenium 15-50mcg

~ Vitamins C ~ Ginseng

~ Calcium 1g ~ Magnesium