ADHD and peri/menopause - get the lowdown! During menopause, declining oestrogen levels can affect the neurotransmitters responsible for attention, emotional regulation, sleep, organisation, and memory. While women without ADHD may notice these changes, those with an ADHD diagnosis often find those symptoms intensify. ADHD behaviours such as restlessness, difficulty concentrating, or impulsivity can affect daily life. Although symptoms may improve with age, many women diagnosed in childhood still face challenges in adulthood. Did you know that boys are more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis ..read more

Symptoms of perimenopause & autism Mood swings, memory problems, hot flushes and night sweats can be discombobulating – for women with autism, even more so. Coping with these significant psychological and physical changes can be beyond challenging when perimenopause symptoms emerge. Research into autism has historically looked at the male experience, ignoring the experiences of women with autism. Understanding of how menopause hormonal changes affect autistic individuals, and if this differs from the impact on non-autistic individuals, has not been considered until recently. What is autism ..read more

Gain clarity around menopause support in the workplace! Welcomed and celebrated by many, seen as a potential pitfall for menopausal women by others! Whatever someone’s view, the guidance issued by The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on making 'essential' reasonable adjustments for menopausal employees in the workplace needs attention. Ignoring menopause in the workplace is no longer an option - doing so may pose significant risks for organisations moving forward. Employers must grasp the legal obligations and best practices regarding menopause, to prevent discrimination and costly ..read more

How does menopause affect neurodiverse individuals? With the complex changes that challenge women’s cognitive function during the perimenopause transition, we take a deeper dive into how menopause may impact the neurodiverse community. What is Neurodiversity? Neurodiversity is an empowerment movement that emerged in the 90s with the aim to raise acceptance and embrace neurological differences, believing that the scope of cognitive abilities should be supported and that differences are not seen as deficiencies. Neurodiversity refers to the variations of how people’s brains process information ..read more

Challenges and continued calls for menopause support at work In 2023, there was a significant leap forward in recognising menopause as a crucial workplace concern. Helen Tomlinson became the DWP’s Menopause Employment Champion, leading efforts to initiate discussions with businesses and improve support for menopausal employees across different sectors. Another milestone moment was the publication of the first-ever workplace menopause standard by the British Standards Institute. So far, so good!  However, as the year ended we saw the publication of a survey highlighting the continued and p ..read more

Cutting down, or cutting out, alcohol in perimenopause: Dry January & beyond! Why do some perimenopausal women experience a lower tolerance for alcohol, feeling tipsy or hungover after just a couple of drinks? Pre-menopause, women tend to get tipsy on less alcohol compared to men. Women tend to have a higher body fat ratio, lower water ratio - sipping the same amount leads to a higher blood alcohol concentration - and a liver that's often on the smaller side, holding less of the crucial enzyme that tackles alcohol. As we age, and hit menopause - double whammy - those enzyme levels take ano ..read more

What to eat to improve menopause symptoms? Perimenopause and post-menopause are times to press the reset button! Diet and lifestyle changes can make a really difference for managing menopause symptoms. Eating a balanced diet during the perimenopause transition phase is important to support overall health and can help alleviate a variety of symptoms. During menopause, muscle mass reduces and this may mean you need fewer calories. Over time this could lead to weight gain. Controlling calories consumed, portion sizes and moving more in menopause can all work together to help prevent wei ..read more

Cutting down, or cutting out, alcohol in perimenopause: Dry January & beyond! Why do some perimenopausal women experience a lower tolerance for alcohol, feeling tipsy or hungover after just a couple of drinks? Pre-menopause, women tend to get tipsy on less alcohol compared to men. Women tend to have a higher body fat ratio, lower water ratio - sipping the same amount leads to a higher blood alcohol concentration - and a liver that's often on the smaller side, holding less of the crucial enzyme that tackles alcohol. As we age, and hit menopause - double whammy - those enzyme levels take ano ..read more

What are the key insights in the new NICE draft guidance on menopause? It may sound surprising, but not too long ago, health professionals operated in a kind of wild west when it came to advising women on managing menopause. Support available was essentially a roll of the dice, dependent on how much a doctor or practice nurse happened to know or could reasonably be expected to know. The arrival of The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) document 'Menopause: diagnosis and management' in November 2015 was a significant game-changer. Designed to direct healthcare professional ..read more

Breast cancer prevention post-menopause Breast cancer remains a real health concern in the UK, with statistics showing a steady increase in the number of cases diagnosed every year. So, it is encouraging to hear about a ground-breaking development set to offer almost 300,000 post-menopausal women who are at moderate or high risk of developing breast cancer, a powerful tool in the fight against this disease. Starting in November 2023, these women will gain access to anastrozole, a risk-reducing drug, marking a pivotal step toward prevention rather than cure in the fight against this devastating ..read more