Welcome to Menopause Awareness Month! We’re going if back to basics - starting off today with some charts that run through many of the symptoms (I’m sure there are probably some I’ve left out - let me know if so.) 💡 As we know from the 3 years or so of chats we’ve been having here with menopause experts, every person’s menopause journey is different. Some will sail through barely noticing, others will have a handful of symptoms that affect them to varying degrees and some will really suffer, physically or mentally. ⭐️ Symptoms usually starts a several years before menopause (your last period) and some may continue for several years afterwards. Unfortunately, the vaginal symptoms are for life. ⭐️ Knowing the symptoms is important because you can then take steps to relieve them, or in the case of osteoporosis of the bones, for example, prevent or help reverse the changes through exercise and lifestyle changes. ⭐️ There are many things that can help relieve symptoms: ☑️ eating well ☑️regular exercise including cardio and resistance/weight training ☑️ CBT for anxiety/mood issues ☑️ CBTi for sleep issues ☑️ HRT or other medications if you can’t have HRT ☑️ Reducjng stress. 📚 There are some excellent books out now on menopause and symptom management too - will do a list! If you feel you need help, speak to your doctor as they should be able to help or refer you to someone who can. Make a list of your symptoms before your appointment and rate how much they are affecting you as this will help your GP get a better picture of what’s going on. @drcaryssonnenberg has some excellent suggestions on preparing for your appointment and you can read them here if you’re on Facebook and I’ll put the link in the bio. Remember- it may feel like a lonely and confusing time - but you are not alone and there is help out there. At the moment @dianedanzebrink has slots available for free for people on low incomes who need support - email [email protected] Here’s the article: https://www.harleystreetemporium.com/make-the-most-of-your-menopause-appointment/ #perimenopause #menopause #menopausesupport #hrt #hormonereplacementtherapy #oestrogen #osteoporosis