Menopause

Women usually start menopause between the ages of 45 to 55, with the UK average currently standing at 51.

The time before your periods stop is the perimenopausal stage, and it’s at this time that you may begin to experience symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, a reduced sex drive, difficulty sleeping, aches and pains, mood changes and problems with memory and concentration.

About 8 in 10 women will have symptoms for some time before and after their periods stop.

Vitamins do not contain oestrogen, but if you’re lacking this important hormone, there are vitamins out there that may be able to increase the amount your body produces.

The B vitamins may play a vital role in the creation of oestrogen, and in turn, a low level can reduce the level of oestrogen.

Vitamin D functions as a hormone within the body and can work together with oestrogen to fight things such as cardiovascular disease.

Menopause is a huge hormonal change for women - it’s when the body stops producing the hormone oestrogen, resulting in absent periods and a range of unpleasant side effects.

The vitamins A, B-12, B-6, D, and E may help to reduce the symptoms of having a low amount of oestrogen in your body.

These vitamins may help to improve the strength of your bones, limit mood swings and increase energy levels.

Early menopause is when a woman’s periods stop before the age of 45.

It can happen naturally if oestrogen is no longer being produced, as the result of cancer treatment, or from a medical condition like Turner syndrome.

The signs of early menopause are similar to the typical symptoms of menopause, including hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and a lack of interest in sex, difficulty sleeping, low mood, and problems with memory.

The combined contraceptive pill or HRT is usually prescribed as a substitute for missing hormones.