The hottest topic in town: Menopausal Hotties...

 Quick, quick! It’s time to shine a light on the letter ‘Q’ as we continue our quest through our menopausal ABC’s.

It’s over to you as we aim to answer your questions - even the more questionable ones - around (peri)menopause. Allow us to quench your Quriosity!!!

The world of menopause can sometimes feel like we may be going a little quackers as we negotiate our way through the literal mind and mine fields called Menopause.

As a fellow hottie on this journey of change we understand that it can be a totally bewildering time, leaving you feeling a tad perplexed.

Take heart hotties - you are made of tough stuff - you WILL come through this. We know that knowledge is our queen, and is the key to unlocking our hottie quintessential super powers.

Let’s take a look at the most asked questions.

Q1: What exactly is the menopause?

Menopause is classed when you don’t have a period for 12 months and are no longer able to get pregnant. Generally the age span of women entering menopause is between 45 and 55 years old, with the average age being 51 in the UK.

In the run up to the menopause you may get occasional or intermittent symptoms - this is known as perimenopause.

Q2: What are the symptoms of menopause ?

There are over 30 recognised symptoms, but these are the most common which many hotties report (we are all uniQue, so symptoms will vary for each hottie)

• Headaches
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Insomnia
• Weight gain
• Brain fog
• Loss of libido
• Mood swings
• Vaginal dryness
• Anxiety

Plus, plus, plus ? enough already...

Q3: What causes the menopause?

The menopause is caused by a change in the balance - and decline - of the body's female sex hormones, which tend to occur as we get older, and the ovaries stop producing as much of the hormone oestrogen.

Premature menopause can occur at any age, with no clear cause, or due to genetics, illness or certain treatments.

Q4: What treatments are there?

There are many options available to us hotties. You don’t have to suffer in silence. It’s important to discuss with your GP the most suitable ‘best fit’ for you. Here are a few of the most common options:

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - used to replace those declining hormone levels as you enter the menopause.

Diet, lifestyle, vitamins, herbal supplements, and exercise can help you manage your symptoms; often used as an alternative to HRT, or in combination.

Cognitive behavioural therapies may be helpful as we learn how to navigate these changes we are experiencing.

Q5: How long will symptoms last?

According to the official NHS website: Symptoms usually start a few months or years before your periods stop, known as the perimenopause, and can persist for some time afterwards.

On average, most symptoms last around 4 years from your last period. However, around 1 in every 10 women may experience them for up to 12 years.

Q6: Where can I find help and advice?

There is a wealth of information out there in many forms, from the internet, social media, through to your GP and other healthcare experts.

And if your friends can’t or won’t share their own experiences, or are similarly mystified, remember you can check out our back issues of menopausal hotties for a lighthearted read about this hottie’s insights.

Hotties - you are your own superhero; the lead character in charge of YOUR destiny, as you qualify your way through this utterly quackers, game-changing, menopausal journey!

You are as always, a total hottie Queen - so work that glorious crown - you’ve earned it. And you can Quote me on that!

Love Julie x