Living M Skincare Brand My beauty and skin care tips perimenopause and beyond! Photo Credit – Make Up & Hair Salon www.themakeupandhairbar.com
Let me share with you the joy of Living M skincare, my beauty and skin care tips for perimenopause and beyond into post menopause!
I guarantee, you will be ordering your first delivery of Living M after reading this blog with my review.
Introducing a menopause friendly company that is dedicated to helping women with skincare at the stage of perimenopause.
Perimenopause is a time when you first start to notice that your skin is changing.
I can already hear you all cheering!
Perimenopause is an important time to start preparing skin for the effects of menopause and beyond. This is something of which I wish I had been made aware of.
We were told in beauty magazines and major advertising that beauty creams would help our skin as we age but I never heard no mention of the effects of menopause.
Living M have developed a beauty brand that not only builds products that target the effects of hormonal skin changes but also normalises the conversation around ageing. This is what we need!
It can be hard to find a product during perimenopause, I can definitely speak from experience with this and with a bathroom cupboard full of creams and lotions, this is a revelation!
During perimenopause it can be an expensive time, trying various creams but it is also a time of the crucial must haves.
Living M was founded by Caroline and Siobhan, friends and experts in the beauty industry with over 20 years of experience from London and New York.
Designing a skincare brand for women to enhance women’s skin not a cream to turn back time but to show the beauty of ageing by using healthy and sustainable ingredients.
I agree with Living M, most skincare products that are aimed for women of 40+ are scented and jam packed and full of ingredients which can aggravate womens skin at the time of perimenopause and menopause. This then becomes a vicious cycle. Women do not want to waste money on expensive creams and lotions.
Nobody wants to have a hot flush resulting with a red, blotchy and sweaty stream across their face. Exactly what has happened to me so many times.
As a Menopausal women, we want products that give us a glow and a fresh dewy faced look. Since using Living M autumn, I like to think my skin has this effect. I have been very impressed by the results.
Living M avoids using irritants, essential oils and alcohol which cause the skin to become dry.
Have you noticed by using certain brands, after using the skincare your skin feels dry or becomes ultra sensitive?
Do you have a bathroom full of opened skincare/beauty items that have not been used at all due to having a reaction?
Living M have built a skincare system that delivers a delicious and nourishing skincare, which it should be at this time of a woman’s life. We all want to look our best and give our skin the right products.
My delivery of Living M skincare arrived very neatly packaged and with my favourite colours!
Skincare and beauty tips
Clear and concise instructions of how to use the products for the daily skincare essentials. That also sit very well upon my bathroom shelf.
I have been using Living M Collagen Boost Moisturiser since last autumn and the timing was perfect for the change of season. I could feel that my skin not only needed moisture but also brightening. The Collagen Boost Moisturiser delivers a plumping, glowing and firmer effect for my skin. The difference has been amazing for my skin. Feels very light to wear and easy to apply. My redness has disappeared since using, which has been great. My skin feels much more calmer, nourished and I like to think looks healthier and glowing. Living M has produced a cream that puts back what the menopause takes away!
The Collagen Boost Moisturiser is packed full of goodness! Signal Peptides – Helps to stimulate collagen! Resveratol- A phytooestrogen and antioxidant , this magic ingredient provides oestrogen type effects! Niacinamide – A barrier for the skin that also brightens and boosts! Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Acid – A cream that not only holds moisture but goes to a deep level beneath the skin. Avocado and Cupuacu Butters – Healing and protective fatty acids to ensure skin is moisturised.
I Use the Collagen Boost Moisturiser daily, for my skincare regime, first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Use a cleanser and apply the Quench & Soothe Serum first and layer with the Collgen Boost Moisturiser. Don’t forget to add a good quality SPF on top for during the day.
Your skin will not only feel soft and supple without the heaviness of some other creams and I can confirm with hot flushes my skin did not start to drip endlessly!
Perfect to wear under make up too.
Quench & Soothe Serum A great hydrator! A serum that has been designed to combat the the hormonal highway of perimenopause! What is not to love about the the Quench and Sooth Serum.
A small amount goes a long way and makes a difference to your skin, I noticed after using regularly my skin appeared brighter, smoother and alot more calmer. No red cheeks and feeling hydrated. It has been a must have item during the winter months.
Multi Molecular Hyaloronic Acid – For intense hydration! Niacinamide – To help with those hormonal break outs, reduces redness. It does what it says! Vitamin B5 – For elasticity and softness for your skin.
I used each day for my skincare regime and I layered underneath the Collagen Boost Moisturiser. Or you can wear alone.
My skin felt heavenly and plumped!
Real Life Meno 60 Seconds with Founder Lorna Ive.
Real life Meno 60 seconds Lorna Ive – Founder Perimenopost.com
Who am I?
I am Lorna Ive, Founder of Perimenopost.com an award winning menopause platform to help and support within a safe community. An executive menopause coach delivering workshops for menopause wellbeing and menopause workplace training.
Perimenopost.com offers a bespoke Social Media Consultancy service for menopause brands who want to provide a service to women’s health and menopause wellbeing.
PeriMenoPost 60 Second interview with real life #Menowarriors 1) Best Part of menopause?
Knowing that I wasn’t going mad and once I accepted and was aware of what was happening to my body I could accept and was satisfied with menopause, albeit a bit earlier but once I knew I soon realised that this was a part of life that every woman experiences.
2) Tell us your best #Menomoment?
When I was diagnosed with early menopause, it all made sense and was a huge relief! I thought I wa going mad. I will always remember a moment in a large superstore, I was rushing to pack my shopping bags. I started to make a noise similar to Scooby Doo, then I was aware I was having a hot flush. This made me laugh and chuckle to myself. The checkout woman must of thought what an earth is going on. Freedom from the childbearing years and looking forward to the next stage of my life.
3) What has been the worst part of your menopause?
The build up to the perimenopause part as I was completely unaware, I had awful care from my then GP. There was no information or support for early menopause or perimenopause at that time.
4) Have you taken the NHS or Private Health route to treat your menopause?
I followed the private route. I was first diagnosed by a private consultant with early menopause. I have continued care with specialists who are aware of my health issues.
5) Have you been supported within your workplace? I am a freelancing SM Strategist and Business owner. I am fortunate that I can work hours that suit me.
6) HRT or natural/alternative treatment for Menopause?
I have tried both types of treatment. HRT is great if it works for you and not one type of HRT is a one size that fits all. Natural treatments and remedies are helpful to to manage symptoms, I have also tried these.
7) What advice would you give to a younger you prior to Perimenopause and Menopause?
Diet and exercise. I have always taken my exercise seriously and dedicated to keeping healthy. I would say diet for myself personally. I fell into the trap that I thought I could eat what I ate when I was twenty something. This is now not an option at all, the effects of perimenopause and early menopause was really affected by diet and lifestyle. Alcohol and spicy foods I avoid and I eat much healthier at the age of 50 and I look after my health more since post menopause. This really needs addressing for women to take action in their thirties to eat a varied and healthy diet. 8) Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
I had a fantastic holiday of a lifetime at Christmas, which I hope is the first of many visits back. So I would like to be living in a hot country near a beach and writing my memoirs, maybe a novel?
9) Who would you like to give a shout out – mention too? Who has been supportive and instrumental in helping you through menopause?
Since starting my campaign perimenopost.com I have met some amazing campaigners and changemakers along the journey. There are so many to mention I would like to just say a big thank you to you all!
A shout out to Menopausal Mave AKA Kate Duffy – a fearless and awesome changemaker and campaigner for menopause and condition PMDD
Debbie Killingback – AKA Hot Flush Club – Debbie shares her personal menopause journey and also injects her fabulous sense of humour to help us laugh along the way with the hormone highway rollercoaster!
Lizzie Carr-Ellis one determined MenoWarrior who wants all to have access to the correct care, information with her informative posters across the UK and beyond!
10)Who is your favourite #Menowarrior?
Meg Matthews she was a pioneer for my generation of women to speak up about menopause and to break down the narrative surrounding the stigma. I was lucky to have met Meg in person and she was so lovely and so passionate about changing womens lives for the better.
Real Life Meno 60 Second Interview
IP// Created by PeriMenoPost
Lorna’s top beauty and skincare tips for postmenopause!
Early nights – possibly the best advice.
Reduce alcohol – alcohol plays havoc with your sleep and cravings.
Cut out sugar snacks – sugar can cause your skin to break out.
Eat a healthy and varied diet – eat as clean as you can.
Exercise – great for skin, who doesn’t love a glow!
Brush – use a skin brush each day in the shower and brush your skin all over in an upwards motion.
Moisturise – use a good quality skin moisturiser in the shower to wash with and apply afterwards. Trust me this really helps your skin to lock in moisture.
Epsom salts – for a relaxing soak and detox for the body and skin use a good quality epsom salts. Make this a weekly self care treat.
Fresh air – getting outside for some vitamin D is not only good for your skin, bones but also your mental health. Lock in your favourite podcast and take a gentle stroll or brisk walk each day to brush away the cobwebs! Make walking a part of your daily routine.
If you are experiencing hot flushes, a top tip do not put on moisturiser before an important event or zoom call. Apply moisturiser at the end of the day.
Find a good hair brush that is gentle on your hair. Hair becomes weaker during the stages of menopause. Do not use harsh brushing as hair can become brittle.
Treat yourself to a nail manicure as part of your self-care regime.
Invest in a good quality SPF to wear all year round!
Stay out of the sun, as a sun worshipper myself this one is a tough one. But your skin will be thankful.
HRT (hormone replacement therapy) refers to replacement of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone hormones for relief of menopausal symptoms. It continues to be the most effective treatment for debilitating menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, brain fogging, mood fluctuations and vaginal dryness.
The use of HRT plummeted towards the beginning of this century following publication of results of some of the large clinical trials which suggested an increased risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer associated with its use. Over the past decade, further research and reanalysis of the data from original studies have revealed that for the vast majority of women under the age of 60, the benefits of HRT outweigh any risks.
However, misconceptions and myths prevail regarding use of HRT, and this article looks at the research behind HRT to dispel some of the common myths about its use and side effects.
1. HRT causes weight gain
There is no evidence to support a direct link between HRT and weight gain. Women may gain weight in the middle years due to changes in their diet, physical activity patterns and lifestyle. A slowing metabolic rate and redistribution of body fat towards the middle may also contribute to this. A healthy diet and regular exercise are important to prevent such weight gain.
Some women may experience side effects of bloating and fluid retention on HRT, which can lead them to believe that they are putting on weight.
2. All forms of HRT cause breast cancer
This is one of the biggest fears associated with the use of HRT and a common reason for women to choose not to take it. HRT with oestrogen alone is not associated with increase in the risk of breast cancer. Oestrogen-only HRT can only be taken by women who have had a hysterectomy. Combined HRT (oestrogen + some form of progesterone) can be associated with a small increased risk (for women of average weight in developed countries, 5 years of HRT starting at age 50 years, would increase breast cancer incidence at ages 50–69 by about 1 in every 50 users), however this is related to treatment duration and reduces once HRT is stopped.
The risk appears to be lower with some types of progesterone (intrauterine system Miena or natural progesterone Utrogestan) as compared to others. There are many other comparable risk factors for developing breast cancer such as being overweight, drinking 2-3 units of alcohol daily, smoking and undertaking little or no exercise.
There is no increased risk of breast cancer in women who take HRT under the age of 50 years (due to early or premature menopause). In these women, taking HRT simply replaces the hormones that body would otherwise produce until the age of the natural menopause and therefore does not carry the risks which are typically associated with use of HRT after the age of 50.
3. HRT has the risk of causing heart attack and stroke
HRT in any form does not increase the risk of heart disease if started before the age of 60 years. Taking combined HRT immediately after menopause for up to 10 years can actually reduce the risk of heart disease and dying from heart disease. There is a very small increased risk of stroke in women who take combined HRT, but this risk can be reduced by taking oestrogen through skin in the form of gels, patches or implants rather than oral tablets. The risk of stroke in women under 60 years is very low regardless of whether or not HRT is used.
4. All types of HRT can cause blood clots
Oral HRT can cause an increase in the likelihood of having a blood clot. This increased risk is very small and is higher in presence of other risk factors such as obesity or past episodes of blood clots. Maintaining healthy weight and taking oestrogen as either a gel, patch or an implant (through skin bypassing gut and liver) can effectively reduce the risk of blood clots.
5. If you need HRT you are beyond getting pregnant
HRT is mainly used for treatment of debilitating menopausal symptoms in women of all ages. In women who have had an early or premature menopause, HRT is also prescribed for prevention of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. However, HRT is not a contraceptive and young woman can conceive while taking HRT. Most national guidelines recommend that women who wish to avoid unwanted pregnancy while on HRT should continue to use some form of contraception until the age of 55 when loss of natural fertility can be assumed.
6. HRT delays the menopause
HRT is effective in treating the symptoms of menopause as it replaces the hormone/hormones which stop being produced in the body. HRT however does nothing to delay the decline in ovarian function. Any menopausal symptoms which women experience after stopping HRT are just the symptoms they would have anyway experienced even if they had never had HRT. In fact, when coming off HRT – it is advisable to reduce the dose of hormones and come off gradually to avoid oestrogen ‘withdrawal’ symptoms. Such symptoms, if at all they occur, are usually temporary and decrease quickly with time.
7. HRT carries the same risks as the pill
Although the pill and HRT both contain oestrogen and synthetic progesterone hormones, the hormones in HRT are less potent and in lower (more physiological) dose resulting in differences in side effects and risk profiles. Most pills contain a synthetic oestrogen compound – ethinyl oestradiol combined with synthetic progesterone which is usually a derivative of testosterone. Majority of HRT preparations combine natural oestrogen (17 beta oestradiol) with either a synthetic or natural progesterone. HRT is not contraindicated in women who suffer from migraines (patches, implants or gels preferred) and transdermal HRT preparations have a much lower risk of blood clots than the oral pill formulations.
8. Natural methods to treat menopausal symptoms are safer than HRT
Many women choose to take ‘natural’ or ‘bio-identical’ products to treat their menopausal symptoms however, these terms can be misleading or confusing. Many of the HRT compounds sold under these categories have often been custom-made by the individuals/clinics prescribing them and have not been subjected to the same level of rigorous scientific testing as the conventional regulated HRT preparations. Bio-identical HRT preparations (which are not part of regulated medical treatments) are not recommended for use by the British Menopause Society.
9. HRT cannot be prescribed until a woman stops her periods and her symptoms are unbearable
Many women will suffer from severe menopausal symptoms long before their last menstrual period (during perimenopause) and HRT can be safely prescribed to alleviate symptoms. HRT can also help even if the woman is having mild symptoms. In addition, there is increasing evidence that the earlier HRT is started, more are the benefits for protection from osteoporosis and heart disease.
10. Women need to have multiple tests to make sure they can take HRT or that they actually need it
Majority of women do not need any specific tests before HRT is prescribed. For some women, tests such as blood hormone profile, blood clotting screen or pelvic ultrasound may be needed based on their past medical history. It is recommended that blood pressure is regularly monitored while taking the HRT.
Further reading –
1. Menopause: diagnosis and management, NICE guideline, Nation Institute for health and care excellence, UK.Published: 12 November 2015; nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23.
2. Contraception for Women Aged Over 40 Years, FSRH guideline, Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, UK. Published: August 2017 (Updated October 2017);
HRT Myths explained was written by Dr Vikram Talaulikar, MD MRCOG PhD
BMS certified Menopause Specialist
Menopause Clinic London
10 Harley Street, London
Has the menopause changed your relationship with your partner? Are you at a crossroads with your sex life due to menopause?
When menopause arrives it can unexpectedly create a curve ball within your relationship. You are suddenly dealing with your hormones that are changing constantly, going up and down and with it the many added physical symptoms.
It is of no surprise that your relationship with your partner may become strained during this time. It is important to talk to your partner and tell them how you are feeling and for you both to be patient and understanding. Your partner may be feeling completely at a loss too, with the sudden change in your relationship.
It’s important that you talk with your partner and your Gp about your symptoms.
During this time of change, why not try something new as a couple? Dancing, exercise togther – set a challenge and why not sign up for a race or event. Discover a new hobby, see some shows, concerts or take a spontaneous trip somewhere.
A positive mindset and talking to one another can help you get through this time, it is another chapter of your journey together try and make time to have some fun.
Enjoying Midlife Sex
By Sam Evans
We are very fortunate this week to be able to share with you a great blog from Samantha Evans, PeriMenoPost is proud to call a Menomate!
Twitter – @samtalkssex @jodivineuk a sexual health and pleasure expert.
Sam Evans lives locally in Tunbridge Wells and is a passionate advocate for ensuring women are correctly informed about their sexual health, she works tirelessly to ensure that women do not suffer, are in no pain or discomfort and that they are able to enjoy a fulfilled sex life. I have had the pleasure of hearing Sam talk at a local well woman event and Sam is great fun, incredibly knowledgable about all things sex, sex toys and lubricants. Sam is dedicated to making a change to womens sexual health and helping couples to be just as intimate as they always have been.
If you have experienced issues with intimacy and if your sexual health has been affected, read sams article. Sam provides positive, informative and helpful suggestions to help you regain a healthy sex life again.
“Samantha Evans”:https://www.jodivine.com/authors/samantha-evans co-founded Jo Divine, an online sex toy company, with her husband Paul in 2007 which only sells skin safe sex toys and sexual lubricants.
Having a professional background in nursing, she is a features writer and sexual health and pleasure expert for Jo Divine. She works with many healthcare professionals in the NHS and private practice to help them advise their patients about regaining sexual function and enjoying sexual intimacy and pleasure through the use of suitable sex toys, dilators and sexual lubricants.
With an extensive knowledge about sex toys and sexual lubricants, Samantha enjoys creating informative, practical articles about sexual health and pleasure which endeavour to normalise sex, help people to talk about it and discover ways to enjoy sex in whatever way they want to or are able to. She has also been featured extensively in the media
As a menopausal woman she also advises women going through the menopause and beyond about ways to enjoy sexual intimacy and pleasure as this is often a time when many couples give up on their sex lives due to the impact of menopausal health issues that affect their intimacy and pleasure.
As we get older our sex drive and sexual sensation can change, especially when dealing with a myriad of perimenopausal/menopausal symptoms, such as vaginal dryness or atrophy, decreased sexual sensation or low libido making sex feel painful, uncomfortable or simply not working for you anymore.
Often women give up on sex or continue to endure painful sex which is neither pleasurable, good for their vagina health or their relationship. Women who previously had a good sex life may get frustrated that the menopause has impacted upon their sex life in this way too.
However with a few tweaks to your relationship and the way in which you enjoy sexual intimacy and pleasure, you can continue to enjoy sex, even discovering new ways to make it more pleasurable
Talk to your Partner
This is the commonest reasons why couples give up on midlife sex because they are unable to talk to each other. Your partner probably has no idea about how you are feeling and may think you no longer love or desire them so it is important to tell them why you do not want to have sex or why it no longer feels pleasurable.
Over time, our sexual tastes, sensation, stimulation and attraction change so explore new ways to enjoy intimacy. What might have worked for you or your partner in the past may not work now so show each other where and how you like to be touched, make sounds of pleasure to encourage them when they hit the right spot. Try new positions, prolonged foreplay, quickie sex, simple sex toys, enjoy hotel sex, whatever makes you both feel good.
Share your fantasies, you may discover that some of them are the same. You might even want to act some of them out too!
Use A Good Lube!
Vagina dryness affects women of all ages due to hormones, breastfeeding, medication, cancer treatments, stress, anxiety and especially the ageing process.
One simple way to make sex feel pleasurable, last longer and promote vaginal lubrication is to use lubricant. Do not think of lubricants as just fixing a problem, using a good pH balalanced sexual lubricant can make “ok sex” feel great.
I put YES organic oil based lubricant on before foreplay to get things going which really helps, you may only want to apply it for penetrative sex or other sex play, experiment with what works for you. Always stop if sex feels painful.
It may take time to get used to using a sexual lubricant for both you and your partner which is why it is important to use a good sexual lubricant, a product free from irritating ingredients that has been designed for sex play, not something from your bathroom or kitchen cupboard. Many couples try a lubricant, find that it causes irritation or even thrush, think all lubricants are the same which is not the case so avoid lubricants.
Using a pH balanced lubricant such as YES organic lubricants and vaginal moisturisers, free for irritating ingredients not only makes sex feel more pleasurable and last longer but also keeps your vagina and vulva happy and healthy, especially as we get older.
A Healthy Vagina is A Happy Vagina
Many people care about what they eat or use on their face, hair and body but do not give a thought to what they are putting on their vulva and inside their vagina or anus yet these are highly absorbent and sensitive intimate parts of our body.
Having had my own sex life and vagina health destroyed in my 20’s and 30’s by using KY and other well known lubricant brands and feminine hygiene products still available on the high street today which caused recurrent thrush, bacterial vaginosis ( a vaginal infection with a fishy smell which requires anitbiotic treatment), cystitis and urinary tract infections this led to vaginismus whereby the muscles of the vagina constrict, making penetration either impossible or feel painful.
Through my own research and discovering “YES organic lubricants”:https://www.jodivine.com/articles/sex-tips/want-better-sex-use-lube I found that many commercial lubricants/moisturisers and feminine hygiene products contain ingredients including glycerin, propylene glycol, parabens, perfume and dyes in addition to “tingling” or “warming “ ingredients which can irritate the tissues of the vulva and vagina, disrupting the delicate pH of the vagina which may cause thrush or bacterial vaginosis, especially if you are prone to these infections.
Many water based formulations have a high osmolarity so exacerbate vaginal dryness by drawing moisture from the walls of the vagina not hydrating them.
Always check the ingredients before you buy or ask your GP before they prescribe you a product and do a skin test before rubbing it over your clitoris, nothing worse than an itchy or stinging vulva or vagina! Be aware that some well known brands do not put the ingredients on the box or label so choose a product that has an ingredients label.
Feminine hygiene products, scented menstrual products and perfumed condoms are completely unnecessary as our vaginas are self cleaning and all you will do is disrupt the vagina pH which will lead to irritation, an infection and make your vagina/vulva feel sore.
I keep my vagina and vulva happy by using YES oil based organic lubricant for sex and when using sex toys, YES vaginal moisturiser twice weekly and Vagifem, a local oestrogen pessary three times weekly. For those worried about using HRT, local oestrogen is not absorbed systemically (into the bloodstream), it is absorbed directly into the walls of the vagina and into the skin of the vulva, replacing the depleting oestrogen to keep the skin healthy and flexible. The depleting oestrogen makes the tissues of the vagina and vulva shrink and thin, leaving them feeling sore, less well lubricated and the vagina tightens, making penetration feel sore or painful. It can also lead to thrush or other vaginal infections and irritation. Local oestrogen is the equivalent of taking one HRT tablet each year so an incredibly small amount of oestrogen which can make a huge difference to your vagina/vula health and your sexual pleasure too.
Regular Orgasms are Good for You
Orgasms are fun, free and good for your health!
Enjoying regular orgasms with a partner or during solo play using your fingers or a sex toy can increase your vaginal lubrication, help you begin to feel more sexual if you are struggling with your libido, reduce stress, boost immunity, keep you looking young and exercise your pelvic floor. Orgasms can also improve the quality of yoursleep, a common problem during menopause, as the release of feel good endorphins induces a state of relaxation helping you drift off.
Often during menopause our ability to orgasm may take longer or it may not feel as pleasurable so I often recommend using a “simple bullet vibrator”:https://www.jodivine.com/articles/buyers-guides/bullet-vibrators either for solo play or with a partner. Small enough to slip between yourself and your partner, bullets can also be used on partners with a penis and on nipples too.
Men can benefit from enjoying regular orgasms because they can improve prostate health and help to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Regular ejaculation flushes out prostate fluid in the prostate gland which can stagnate and become inflamed leading to an enlarged prostate which causes pain, increases the need to pee and difficulty in emptying the bladder.
Kick start your Libido
Sometimes it can be really hard just to make the effort to have sex so take the focus of penetrative sex if this is how you normally enjoy sex with a partner and enjoy non penetrative sex play. Enjoy kissing, cuddling, body massage, gentle touch with fingers, silky ribbons, feathers, mutual masturbation with a good pH balanced sexual lubricant, nipple play. Having regular orgasms can help to kick start your libido and arousal so indulge in a long bath and take your favourite waterproof sex toy with you, grab some self care time alone or share your sex toy with your partner. Show them how it works for you, use it on their body.
Exercise those Pelvic Floor Muscles
Regular pelvic floor exercises can make orgasms feel stronger and help incontinence issues. However, some women have a tight pelvic floor which can make penetrative sex feel painful. If you are unsure how to do your pelvic floor exercises or if you think you have a weak or tight pelvic floor, a pelvic health physiotherapist is the best person to see. They are the experts in pelvic health and will be able to assess your pelvic floor muscles, offering practical exercises to strengthen or release your pelvic floor. Many work in the NHS so ask your GP to refer you. You can also self refer to those working in private practice too.
Explore Sex Toys
Incorporating sex toys into your sex play can help you enjoy new ways to be intimate and discover new sexual sensations especially if you find yourself struggling to orgasm or it takes longer due to decreased sexual sensation.
A simple bullet vibrator is small enough to slip between you and a partner to enjoy clitoral stimulation during penetrative sex or foreplay. You can use it on yourself, get your partner to use it on you or play with it on their body.If vaginal tightness is an issue, using a slim vibrator or dilator with plenty of lubricant can help stretch the vagina walls, making them more flexible and penetrative sex feel more pleasurable.
Vibrating constriction rings are a great way to help a man maintain his erection, last longer and offer clitoral stimulation at the same .
Sex is not just penetration – enjoying prolongedsex play might be all you want. Explore sex toys, oral sex, bondage, nipple play, mutual masturbation, kissing and intimate massage.
Don’t give up on your sex life, talk to your partner, use a good pH balanced sexual lubricant, masturbate more, explore sex toys, do your pelvic floor exercises, be imaginative, adventurous and have fun in whatever way feels pleasurable for you!
At Jo Divine we believe that sexual health and sexual pleasure go hand in hand and have created a health brochure with suitable products to help people with sexual issues. Working with medical professionals, we hope to encourage patients and HCPs alike in talking more freely about sexual problems. A health issue doesn’t mean your sex life will have to stop!
Thank you Sam for your helpful and informative feature, women will now be informed and have the knowledge to ask their health care professional more questions and gain the correct course of treatment that they rightly deserve.
You can follow Sam on Twitter @SamtalksSex @jodivineuk or via her website for products and information www.jodivine.com / Instagram @Jo.divine
This week’s real life meno 60 seconds interview guest is Jo Moseley, AKA the Paddle board super hero!
Jo is the first woman within the UK to stand up paddleboard – S U P from coast to coast!!
One awesome real-life meno warrior!!!
Since turning 50, Jo has begun her personal quest and journey of paddleboarding and helping to clean up the environment along the waterways as she travels. Jo takes you on a journey aboard her paddleboard, giving you a refreshing view of life upon the UK’s waterways, scenery, seasons, every type of weather and the wildlife she encounters along the way. Her passion is clear and is infectious, making you feel that you too could jump on a paddleboard, enjoy nature and join her on her mission to help make a difference to the environment.
Jo is passionate about the environment and is actively involved in the #2minutebeachclean and also an active member of the wave project, a surf therapy charity for children in the UK.
This year saw Jo complete the #paddleboardthenorthchallenge!! It was a joy to follow her adventures via social media. Adding to Jo’s talents and comitment to her cause she has just won the 2019 Smart award for Best Bradford Film!! Congratulations Jo we are all behind you, all the way!
Nothing is going to stop Jo, not even menopause! She is enjoying this stage of her life and being able to experience the freedom, joy, exhilaration and the feeling of being alive out on the water. Read Jo’s menopause journey and how she has found a new sense of energy and zest for life.
Jo Moseley @Healthyhappy50 #2minutebeachclean #paddleboardthenorth 2019 Smart Award winner Best Bradford Film
1) Best Part of menopause?
Ooh interesting! I think because the perimenopause broke me when I was already down, the healing & learning is the best part. I had to start looking after myself because I was at such a low point & that has been an interesting & empowering journey. I’ve made friendships, learned skills, gone on adventures & found my creative & personal voice.
2) Tell us your best #Menomoment?
Ooh I think paddleboarding into Goole this summer in a huge thunderstorm followed by a beautiful rainbow. I had completed my 162 mile coast to coast fundraising & litter picking adventure. As the first woman to do so & at 54, it made me feel like I had achieved something not just for me but for women in their 50s and those going through the menopause.
3) What has been the worst part of your menopause?
Sleepless nights, crippling anxiety, joint pains & feeling like I was lost.
4) Have you taken the NHS or Private Health route to treatyour menopause?
I haven’t really been treated with either route. I’ve researched & found my own answers. I am however aware that I am very fortunate in that I’ve been able to do this. If I were to seek treatment, it would be NHS.
5) Have you been supported within your workplace?
I haven’t really needed to ask for support. I work in a very kind environment anyway so I am fortunate. My colleagues do comment on how warm I like to keep my office and why I am wearing 3 jumpers in summer! I get cold flushes!
6) HRT or natural/alternative treatment for Menopause?
7) What advice would you give to a younger you prior toPerimenopause and Menopause?
Look after yourself more! Put yourself on the priority list! Move, say no to things that don’t bring you joy, stop volunteering for everything, be kinder to yourself, go to bed early. You don’t have to be superwoman! Also read up on the perimenopause & what it’s all about. You think you have to do everything on your own as a single Mum but you don’t. It’s ok to ask for help. Look after your bone health!
8) Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Ooh I hope taking women out on the water on Paddleboarding retreats, litter picking, stretching & having delicious food. Helping women feel like warrior women on the water. Spending more time at the coast & in the sea. Writing & speaking about adventures, wellbeing in menopause & midlife purpose & reinvention.
9) Who would you like to give a shout out – mention too?
Who has been supportive and instrumental in helping you through menopause?
Ooh great question! Definitely a shout out to Deborah Garlick of Henpicked. I think they were the first online community I discovered who even talked about the menopause openly. I learned so much and was grateful to contribute to their book. That was 4 or 5 years ago. Rachel from Magnificent Midlife has been sharing huge amounts of very valuable information for years too. Also Jo & Anne from Positive Pause and Jane from Meno & Me for inviting me to talk at their respective menopause events this autumn. A privilege & honour. Angela from Behind The Woman is brilliant too. My friend Sam Bunch who wrote a fab, funny book Menopause – A Hot Topic. Basically, we are lifting and supporting each other.
10)Who is your favourite #Menowarrior?
Ooh Jane Dowling. She gives 110% every day on social media. Sharing her journey, answering questions, supporting and just being incredible. Her exercise videos on Instagram are so helpful. Such a star!
Thank you Jo for your story, we are looking forward to hearing about your sup adventures! The retreats sound great, keep us all posted.
You can keep up to date with Jo’s adventures and follow her at;
Twitter @Healthyhappy50
Instagram @healthyhappy50
Would you like to be our next real-life meno 60 seconds interview guest?
Christmas is fast approaching, the season will soon be upon us, how does this make you feel menos?
Are you already feeling the burden of all the season necessities falling on your shoulders?
Are you aware of what is giving you stress or anxiety for the christmas season?
This week give yourself some time to sit down and make a christmas plan to help you manage through christmas, identify what is already causing you stress?
Make a plan to delegate jobs, if you are sharing christmas with family members. Schedule in time for you to take a break, a walk in the fresh air, a quiet time to read a christmas novel or magazine. Set yourself limits as to how you want to spend christmas, practice self care even if it means you need to take a nap if your body is tired!
Remember how important selfcare is when managing menopause symptoms and how to look after yourself with some early nights, healthy eating and exercise this will all help to make you feel so much better.
Have a super week Menos, wishing everyone a healthy, happy and safe Christmas! stay positive, stay safe!
Wash hands, wear a mask and keep you 2m distance. Be kind to one another and give your support!
Have you found yourself saying no to certain foods and alcohol? Join the club!
Have you noticed when you have had that takeaway, that seemed inviting at the time but then disagrees with you during the early hours of the morning? A night of disturbed sleep and feeling awful the next morning? Ringing any bells yet?
Let’s add alcohol to the mix too, those glasses of wine that again seemed a really good idea at the time but then you find yourself wide awake from 2am and cannot get back to sleep, does any of this sound familiar?
During the day has your appetite fluctuated? Suddenly you can be ravenously hungry and then not the next? Then you find it’s all too easy to fall into bad snacking habits. This all happened to me, at a time when I had no idea that I was Perimenopausal. I could not understand what was happening to me if I am honest.
Once you know that it is your hormones that are affecting you in this way, it seems to be easier to manage. I have had to change my diet habits and so far it has worked for me. I make better choices now when it comes to food at home and ordering food whilst out. Now and again the odd takeaway, then I will order something light to eat. I am not perfect 100% of the time, but then who is? I just try to be more careful and manage what I can and cannot eat. I definitely feel so much better for eating more carefully now. During this change when your body is going through such a lot of transition it is so important that your body is in good shape and why not? Eating healthy is much better for us and we want to enjoy our next stage! Right?
Personally, I have found that a varied diet of eating lean meat, fish with fresh vegetables and salads with small amounts of pasta or carbohydrates works best for me. Red meat only once a week, alcohol limiting to just the weekend, the odd 1 or 2 glasses of wine or a cheeky G&T.
Immune Boosting Juice 1 Carrot 1/2 Beetroot 1/2 Lemon – Juice 1/4 of Ginger 1/2 pineapple 1/2 orange – juice 1tbsp – Manuka Honey
Prepare all ingredients Pop into Juicer/blender Whizz and go!
Over the festive session the chance of having one to many drinks can increase, and this year will be no exception. We may not be going out, but I, like many do enjoy a drink in the comfort of my own home, and we all know that home measures can often be more generous than the ones in the pub, well, I know mine are.
Okay, so you have indulged just a little bit too much, you wake in the morning with beer fear, your mouth is as dry as the Sahara Desert, you have a banging headache, you feel sick, and to top it all off, your anxiety is peaking.
We all have our tried and trusted methods to help combat the inevitable hangover from hell, my own personal remedies include a pint of electrolytes, a load of carbs, and shot of CBD. Since using CBD as part of my recovery, I have found that my hangover improves much quicker, so it got me thinking and then researching. Can CBD help with hangover symptoms?
Can CBD help with your Headaches?
Small Business AD
A headache from too much alcohol can range from a dull ache to a vice like grip, and dehydration is usually one of the main reasons for your headache. Your body is working overtime to flush out the alcohol and this usually leaves you chronically dehydrated. I think everyone knows that feeling of reaching for a glass of water in the morning after a few drinks the night before, but, did you know, that by adding in a few drops of water soluble CBD to your drink, it might just provide the perfect combination to rehydrate and help ease that nagging headache.
Many studies have shown the positive effect of CBD on headaches or migraines, this is due to the anti-inflammatory properties, which is useful in helping reduce any kind of pain including head pain, often associated with hangover headaches. If you would like to read, click the link >> can CBD help migraine and headaches?
Can CBD help with Nausea?
Small Business AD
When you consume alcohol, enzymes in your liver break down the alcohol into acetaldehyde, if these levels become too high, your liver will be unable to cope, and can react by making you sick. Alcohol can also irritate the stomach wall causing inflammation which can often making you feel nauseous.
In studies CBD has shown to help relive nausea and help reduce inflation which is why it may help your hangover.
Peppermint is well documented in helping settle an upset tummy and our Peppermint CBD oil tincture would be perfect to help easy nausea.
CBD and Anxiety
Small Business AD
Have you experienced beer fear? Not just the ‘what did I do last night’ fear but the increase in anxiety the day after a few drinks?
There have been many studies that show strong evidence that CBD can help in the treatment of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (O.C.D), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (P.T.S.D). Read full article here>> CBD to help anxiety
Taking CBD can help with your anxiety after drink, it really could make it a valuable hangover remedy.
Conclusion
I am not suggesting that CBD is the solution to end all hangovers (I wish it was), but it may provide a helping hand in reducing some of the symptoms often associated with a hangover and the speed in which you feel better.
Continue to drink plenty of water, eat nutritious food, and taking a few drops of CBD may just do the trick. So, if this Christmas you overindulge a little, maybe think about adding some CBD to your hangover cure toolbox.
All Leaf Organics products are a food supplement only and should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet. Leaf Organics products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Keep out of the reach of young children. Always read the label. All products contain less than 0.1% THC.LEAF ORGANICS
Season 1 & 2 Small Business AD
Tune in over the festive season and listen in to Season 1 & 2 of PeriMenoPost Podcasts bringing to you real life stories and talks with experts about how to manage and survive the stages of menopause.
Season 3 will be launching very soon….https://anchor.fm/perimenopost/embed#?secret=W9SOmcy7x7Catchup with all episodes here
Calling all women’s health brands and services within the menopause industry If you would like to join PeriMenoPost Membership club. Dm today hello@perimenopost.com discover how we can help your business to grow further and reach women in need of menopause support.
PeriMenoPost Member Endometriosis SouthCoast – quote PeriMenoPost Small Biz Ad
Karen Lingard is a PeriMenoPost follower.
Karen would like to share her story with you to help other women by talking about the words “perimenopause and menopause”
Karen Lingard
Karens real life menopause journey, told by Karen, herself.
My journey began a couple of years ago, I started to put on some weight and was then not able to lose it. I noticed I was sweating more, than the usual. I never thought this had anything to do with menopause, I still felt far too young. I am 51 years old now, I feel that this age is a blessing. I began to hide my age and I didn’t really want to admit to getting older. Last year I started to feel that something was not right, upon the left side of my tummy, a slight swelling appeared. I was also experiencing really bad acid reflux which was making me feel quite nauseous a lot of the time.
I was always tired, with no energy. I knew something was wrong but didn’t know what it could be. I kept visiting my Doctor but they insisted it was acid reflux. A blood test revealed that I was anaemic due to the heavy periods I had endured. Having had a colonoscopy and endoscopy, I still felt unwell. My lower back and my joints were burning and were very painful, my Doctor sent me to have x rays and ct scans, just to be sure that there was nothing sinister happening. During this point, I became quite anxious I became convinced that it was something sinister as I knew my own body. I was given anxiety tablets from my doctor. I had never experienced anxiety before, I had never suffered with stress. I just knew there was something more.
I could not eat fatty foods, this would make me feel sick, my joints became painful and with a burning sensation. It was affecting my quality of life, work and my family life. I decided to pay privately for more scans and tests. My results showed that I was suffering from endometriosis and that I was in fact perimenopausal. Once treated for endometriosis, I began my own research of how to manage perimenopause. After reading Meg Matthews website, it seemed to mirror my own personal experience. During those four months, I had a feeling that I was going mad. I laugh now with friends about my A&E trips as I genuinely believed something was seriously wrong with me. I’m usually a rational person, but it seemed to take over my life. I manage my symptoms with taking regular vitamins to help, such as 3000mg of evening primrose per day, magnesium, cod liver oil, vitamins, vitamin D and calcium. Eating a healthy diet helps, ensuring that I eat all the right foods. I manage my symptoms with plenty of regular exercise and looking after my health and well being.
A big thank you to Karen Lingard, for sharing her personal journey of endometriosis and perimenopause. We can relate with Karen’s story with many doctor trips, A&E and interestingly diet too was a factor. If you are experiencing symptoms, NICE guidelines online gives a guide on menopause to help you.
PeriMenoPost will now be featuring every week within our blog a real life interview with one of our cherished followers. A bit of fun, embracing and accepting a positive attitude towards menopause and spreading the word that it’s ok and normal to discuss menopause.
#UndoTheMenoTaboo
Karen Lingard
PeriMenoPost 60 Second interview with real life
#Menowarriors – Karen Lingard
1) Best Part of menopause?
Able to understand, talk and accept my coming to terms with menopause.
2) Tell us your best #Menomoment?
My funniest #Menomoment, upon reflection and which I now laugh about has to be the trips to A&E . Friends joke, telling me that I am barred from A&E!
3) What has been the worst part of your menopause?
The bloating and change to my body.
4) Have you taken the NHS or Private Health route to treat your menopause?
Initially self funding privately, I am now treated within NHS.
5) Have you been supported within your workplace?
Yes.
6) HRT or natural/alternative treatment for Menopause?
Natural.
7) What advice would you give to a younger you, prior to Perimenopause and Menopause?
Information and awareness would have helped me during this time, as I felt I was in the dark.
8) Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Same, I’m now in a much happier, healthier place.
9) Who would you like to give a shout out – a mention too? Who has been supportive and instrumental in helping you through menopause?
Finding Meg Matthews website, http://www.megsmenopause.com – I stumbled upon her Instagram page. Bupa healthcare were very helpful.
10)Who is your favourite #Menowarrior?
Meg Matthews
Created by PeriMenoPost
If you would like to be interviewed for our weekly real life Meno 60 second interview,
Have you found yourself saying no to certain foods and alcohol? Join the club!
Have you noticed when you have had that takeaway, that seemed inviting at the time but then disagrees with you during the early
hours of the morning? A night of disturbed sleep and feeling awful the next morning? Ringing any bells yet?
Let’s add alcohol to the mix too, those glasses of wine that again seemed a really good idea at the time but then you find yourself wide awake from 2am and cannot get back to sleep, does any of this sound familiar?
During the day has your appetite fluctuated? Suddenly you can be ravenously hungry and then not the next? Then you find it’s all too easy to fall into bad snacking habits. This all happened to me, at a time when I had no idea that I was Perimenopausal. I could not understand what was happening to me if I am honest.
Have you found yourself saying no to certain foods and alcohol? Join the club!
Have you noticed when you have had that takeaway, that seemed inviting at the time but then disagrees with you during the early
hours of the morning? A night of disturbed sleep and feeling awful the next morning? Ringing any bells yet?
Let’s add alcohol to the mix too, those glasses of wine that again seemed a really good idea at the time but then you find yourself wide awake from 2am and cannot get back to sleep, does any of this sound familiar?
During the day has your appetite fluctuated? Suddenly you can be ravenously hungry and then not the next? Then you find it’s all too easy to fall into bad snacking habits. This all happened to me, at a time when I had no idea that I was Perimenopausal. I could not understand what was happening to me if I am honest.
nce you know that it is your hormones that are affecting you in this way, it seems to be easier to manage. I have had to change my diet habits and so far it has worked for me. I make better choices now when it comes to food at home and ordering food whilst out. Now and again the odd takeaway, then I will order something light to eat. I am not perfect 100% of the time, but then who is? I just try to be more careful and manage what I can and cannot eat. I definitely feel so much better for eating more carefully now. During this change when your body is going through such a lot of transition it is so important that your body is in good shape and why not? Eating healthy is much better for us and we want to enjoy our next stage! Right?
Personally, I have found that a varied diet of eating lean meat, fish with fresh vegetables and salads with small amounts of pasta or carbohydrates works best for me. Red meat only once a week, alcohol limiting to just the weekend, the odd 1 or 2 glasses of wine or a cheeky G&T.
“Eating well is a sign of self love “
@superhealinglife.com
Immune Boosting Juice
Carrot
1/2 Beetroot
1/2 Lemon – Juice
1/4 of Ginger
1/2 pineapple
1/2 orange – juice
1tbsp – Manuka Honey
Prepare all ingredients
Pop into Juicer/blender
Whizz and go!
For more helpful advice on Healthy Menopause Eating click on Liz
Active wear is now your choice of clothes during the Perimenopause and Menopause. Lycra and trainers, go for it why not!!!
Exercise is not just for younger women, mums it’s also for women like us of a certain age too! Can I hear a yay?
Personally exercise has been a key role for helping to manage my Menopause symptoms. It gives you a happy feeling, releasing those all important happy endorphins!!! Exercise gives you a smile, you get to keep fit, tone up all at the same time! it’s a win, win!!
I agree and yes, we have all been there. There are days when you have had a terrible nights sleep or you are up with the lark having
not slept. You have no energy or any enthusiasm to get moving and exercise, it has happened to me and I have been there.
Choose an exercise that you enjoy, take that first step today, what have you got to lose?
Try running, cycling, a group led exercise class, swimming, a hobby/sport, yoga and pilates. Exercise is ever evolving, there are always classes to try or maybe just put on your trainers , open the door and go for a run or walk? Exercise helps to clear the mind, gives you a great sense of wellbeing. If I have not been active my body then starts to tell me, my body starts to ache, my joints begin to stiffen and is quite uncomfortable. As we grow older and manage the Menopause it is important for our bones and our heart health. Weight bearing exercise is also good for ensuring bone health which
can help with making our bones stronger, which helps to keep osteoporosis at bay.
There have been times that exercise has been my saviour and sanity!! I have met many people and made great friends through exercise. After I’ve exercised I have an increased energy, more focus of mind and have an all round happier mood. Yes, I do get tired, I listen to my body and will then rest. I then choose to have a warm bath, a read and then possibly the best remedy an early night. You can’t beat an early night, right?
During this time I have rediscovered my love of exercise training. As a young child my love of Gymnastics enabled me to train four times a week. I reached competing and professional level for Gymnastics
on vault and floor. I am really enjoying the feeling of training now as it reminds me of my younger self and how good it makes me feel.
My absolute loves are spinning, barre, yoga and pilates.
Let the Menopause be the start of start of a love of fitness!
Share with us what form of exercise helps you to manage the Menopause, what works for you?
We would love to hear your stories about exercise. Take that first step and don’t look back.
The Menopause has alot to answer as it brings along a whole host of symptoms take a look at these;
● Hot Flushes
● Night Sweats
● Loss of Libido
● Vaginal Dryness
● Irregular Periods
● Anxiety
● Irritability
● Panic Attacks
● Difficulty Concentrating
● Mood Swings
● Foggy Brain
● Depression
● Fatigue
● Hair loss
● Insomnia
● Dizziness
● Weight Gain
● Bloating
● Allergies
● Brittle Nails
● Osteoporosis
● Bladder Problems
● Irregular Heartbeat
● Body Odour change
● Joint Pain
● Dental Problems
● Headaches
● Breast Pain
● Muscle tension
● Burning Mouth
● Nausea and Digestive problems
● Tingling sensations
● Dry and Itchy Skin
Were you aware of all the above symptoms? Were you aware that falling Oestrogen levels can cause dry skin? No, neither were we! Lower Oestrogen levels makes less production and repair of collagen and elastin in the dermis of skin.
This is a whole new experience for ones self and other women. I was just putting up with my symptoms and thinking that it was normal. I have always been very fortunate and lucky with my skin up until now.
This symptom crept up slowly and then took a hold, suddenly my arms and legs were covered in a white sheen. This was more than the usual “I need a holiday ” sort of skin that we all experience at this time of year, when we start to prepare our bodies for the summer weather. I now follow a daily routine of creams and ointment to keep my skin in check and healthy. My Doctor is really helpful and has given me so much support and information.
Has anyone else found that their hair, nails and body hair grows in bursts? I feel that this is another point to raise. I am sure again, that this is due to fluctuating levels of hormones at this stage of the Menopause. My trips to the Beauticians for waxing, nails and hair appointments have become pretty much sporadic which has to be an upside, which is a bonus, at last!!
● If you are having dry skin why not give some of these a try, if you are having discomfort I suggest you visit your GP for medical advice.
● Cetraben – Buy over the counter in Boots and most chemists.
● Aveeno – Buys over the counter in Boots and most chemists.
● Betnavate – You may need a prescription for this.
● Diprobase – Buy over the counter at most chemists and Boots.
Why not treat yourself to a nice beauty treatment to help your skin feel nice and soft, remember to mention if you are having dry skin problems and any other symptoms. It is important to to make yourself feel special and young again it makes you feel good!! Why not book in for a massage, a facial, a hot bath and face mask, polish your nails or a hair treatment or blow dry. This will help you to feel good about yourself and give you a healthy glow and smile.
I have attached a link from DR Louise R Newson, My Menopause Doctor who has written a fact sheet detailing the Menopause and Skin for your information.
A link to Liz Earle’s Wellbeing Magazine gives you some more advice and tips to help with dry/itchy skin during the Menopause.https://lizearlewellbeing.com/rose-petal-milk-bath/
Give the Salmon recipe a try too! https://lizearlewellbeing.com/good-mood-food-salmon/
I intend to research and find suitable Menopause Skincare friendly products to use, so will keep you updated. Remember this week to take some time out and relax, look after your wellbeing. Easter is nearly upon us and it is important during this time of the Menopause that you take some well earned “you time” Have a great week!!
Have you found menopause to be a lonely time? Have you found it hard to connect, have you felt alone and isolated?
Have you found it difficult to talk to friends and family members about your feelings and symptoms?
We can definitely relate to those feelings, when going through the midst of the rollercoaster ride of hormones and emotions. It is hard to verbalise and communicate with loved ones to tell them how you are feeling, when that menopause mood decides to turn up unexpectedly. It is also not something that you want to freely admit too as it is seen by others as a negative and a taboo that is not discussed.
Thank goodness for social media and platforms actively encouraging and allowing women to discuss, share and offer advice to others. Medical, health and wellbeing influencers are able to share their knowledge too which is great! This will help so many women to learn more about their feelings and how to manage menopause. Doesn’t it feel good to know you’re not alone?
It can be very isolating if you are having an early menopause as we are only too aware of. You want the support and care from your loved ones and close friends but they do not know how best to support you. Until recently there is was a lack of information and knowledge available for them to understand. #BBCMenopause and our campaign #UndoTheMenoTaboo hopefully has changed this there is much more information out there now for people to access.
You feel uncomfortable discussing your loneliness as menopause is seen as a taboo subject by many, it is extremely hard to raise during a conversation with friends. They may not be experiencing menopause so they cannot relate to how you are feeling.
When feeling alone it creates a vicious cycle for family, friends and loved ones and yourself. Friends, family and loved ones are not quite sure how to talk with you about menopause feelings and symptoms. This then makes yourself to feel ignored and not being understood. You then distance yourself from friends, family as you feel different and not normal as you are the only person going through this on your own and you feel no one understands your feelings.
To help you break this cycle of feeling lonely, why not join our conversation and follow PeriMenoPost to help you find other like minded Menos, for support, advice and friendship within a fun, safe and friendly community! Get on board! No one likes to feel left out and alone, so join our #MenoTribe!!!
Why not try this week to join a new adult education class, a new hobby, find a local menopause cafe support group meeting that you can attend to meet others in the same situation as yourself or you could volunteer for a local charity helping others. Find time also this week to talk to others, a friend, a neighbour or a work colleague or your partner. Making that first step to how you are feeling is the first step to breaking the cycle of how you are feeling and it will help you to feel more supported if you can have a friend onside that can support you and make you feel wanted and involved.
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www.menopausecafe.net has a network of regular meet up events across the UK, if you search for events you will find your nearest available cafe, you can meet other women and talk and eat cake!
www.menopausesupport .co.uk offer’s further helpful advice and support. #makemeneopausematter campaign.
www.menopausedoctor.co.uk Dr Louise Newson website details more menopause information and runs a menopause clinic.
www.lizearlewellbeing.com Menopause related advice and information, look out for podcasts too.
www.megsmenopause.com Megs Menopause website covers a wealth of information, advice and tips also.
Hello to all of our readers and followers, apologies for no recent blogs over the last few weeks. Life has been very hectic! I have been busy celebrating personally and also for my second Daughters graduation from university, a politics and philosophy degree from York University. I am a very proud mum indeed!! Two daughters have now graduated from university, my eldest graduated from Exeter University with a psychology degree.
It still only feels like yesterday that we were packing for Uni life for both of my daughters with help from the Ikea university checklist of items. Our car was brimmed full of loaded boxes and the long drive into the unknown. A sense of excitement and nerves but also the intrepidation for the journey ahead with our teenage daughters fleeing the nest.
During this stage of your menopause, have you noticed that it has coincided during the busiest time of your life? Had you once thought much like myself that at this time of our lives, life would be much more simpler and easier? No one mentions how busy life becomes with teenagers, exams, university, empty nest, work life, ageing parents life seems to be whizzing along very quickly all of a sudden.
Day to day life has somehow become busier, hectic, full on and at times all encompassing?
Is this hormones and mother nature playing havoc here? Certainly does not help at times, whether it is exhaustion, fatigue, a sleepless night or brain fog it can be very frustrating and debilitating.
If you have found yourself suddenly in the midst of perimenopause or menopause and you are having empty nest feelings, it can be a very emotional time for you. At a time when you are not feeling your best and not quite yourself, it can be very tough. You will be incredibly sensitive and emotional with your hormones at this stage and it may well feel amplified when your child goes to University. It is a huge milestone and achievement for your teenager and yourself. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and try to enjoy the process.
Just remember to be kind to yourself as this is a big change for you personally, physically and mentally within your body and it is also a change within the dynamics of your family, when your teenager leaves for university, change is happening.
I found it was important to keep my sense of identity, independence and to try and be strong as I could during these times.
There will be days when it can be tough, with your hormones and feelings, not every day will be great. Just remember to take each day as it comes and then you slowly get used to the change. Rely on your support network of friends, family, partner and colleagues. Make this the time that it is important for you and what is going to make you happy and keep you engaged and active.
Pexels
Some ideas possibly:
Keep yourself active
Exercise
See a show
Meet a friend for lunch or dinner
A spa day or retreat
Evening class
Hobby
Enrol onto a learning course University, College, Adult Education centre or Open University.
Set yourself a challenge!
New Career or start a business
Holiday with your partner or a solo holiday
Meet ups – maybe start your own one, for mums of empty nests!
Forums – For parents of teenagers at university
A weekly park run or a charity race
Plan weekends to visit your teenager, don’t cramp their style though and don’t be too disheartened if they are busy, a quick coffee or lunch and a hug is enough. You could also plan a trip/event for when your teenager comes home.
It is important to look after your wellbeing and to keep yourself mentally and emotionally fulfilled. This will help yourself and your Uni teenager to show that you’re coping ok for they will soon be arriving home with the washing! you will then have lots to discuss and catching up will be good fun.
As much as teenagers like to think they are ever so grown up and that they know everything! They do worry and care about you still, they just don’t like to admit it!
On top of all the celebrations, it was also my birthday recently. My Husband and myself share birthdays, we’re just one day apart! My birthday felt like it had arrived far too sudden this year and it flew by as quickly as it came.
Birthdays
Pexels
Have you noticed that now in menopause you feel slightly differently about birthdays each year? Do you find yourself counting down the years to the next milestone birthday with excitement or dread? Do you find it yet another reminder on top of menopause that you are ageing and becoming older?
Birthdays are now slightly odd events as you reach a certain age in midlife, have you also noticed that you don’t really like a big fuss on your birthday? Just an easy stress free day is enough to suffice or do you like to embrace your birthday and have lots of celebrations?
In particular milestone birthdays, when you were younger you would of wanted to celebrate with all your friends and share your day with everyone. As you age, you simply just want your nearest and dearest with you on your day, easy and simple with no fuss.
Is this mother nature reminding us that we are in fact getting older and as much as we would love to be dancing in Ibiza drinking cocktails into the early hours of the morning! We no longer have the capacity or neither the energy at our age now to be able to maintain such antics.
Change, you either love it or loathe it. Personally, I feel change is good !!!
Change happens all throughout life, it is inevitable. It is best not to fight it, you just have to go with the flow. It is hard at first but once you accept that your body and age is changing you will suddenly realise that you can look forward and still have fun!!! Don’t let menopause run your life, be positive and turn this stage of your life into the best times and don’t look back!
A big, big thank you to Rebecca Weef-Smith at Goldie magazine and to all the team for their splendid magazine this month.
Issue no 5 – Life’s a beach.
PeriMenoPost is featured in this months Goldie Magazine, life’s a beach issue no 5.
It was a fantastic opportunity to share my story of early menopause, retraining with Digital Mums and how PeriMenoPost was born out of personal experience.
Grab your copy today online from Goldie magazine directly or check website (link below) of where to purchase a copy locally to yourself.
Goldie is a great read, it is fashionably bright, colourful, fun and young minded, covering style, fashion, culture, life and love. Perfect for a nice sunny day in the garden or the beach with maybe a cool drink or a cheeky cocktail or two!
We love Goldie magazine!! Enjoy reading and have a great week Menos. Let’s hope the sunshine returns this week!
“Self-care means giving yourself permission to pause”
Cecilia Tran – Girls night in.
As women we all just soldier on, we’re all guilty of this, it’s mother nature again making sure we are doing our job correctly!
When your children were younger would you run yourselves ragged caring for everybody else whilst neglecting yourself and becoming completely exhausted. Sound familiar?
It is only when you are really poorly and so run down, do you then realise that there is only one of – you! You run the show.
How many times have we all mouthed the words to those around us “what would you do if I wasn’t here”? There it is, the quiet moment of realisation that there isn’t anyone, you are your own responsibility. You have to run your own show! You have to be at your best and that means self care, never a more important time than when you’re in either perimenopause or menopause.
As women we struggle with self-care because we are always so busy and couldn’t possibly indulge upon ourselves. This stage of our lives, it is absolutely vital that you factor in to your lifestyle your own self-care. Whether it be exercise, relaxation, a hobby, a good film at the cinema or a good book ensure you do what makes you feel rested and relaxed.
You don’t quite notice the tiredness symptom at first, you just become more tired sometimes with extreme fatigue.
Your so busy juggling life, rushing from one place to the next, children/ teenagers/elderly parents/partners, your career and life itself. The tiredness, it sort of creeps up on you.
How many times have you reached for that glass of rose at the end of a day?
A feeling that you are so stressed, tired and needing to switch off and relax with the hope that the pink grapes will transport you to the south of France for a brief respite. Then only to awake around 2am unable to sleep when the one glass turned into a couple. Adding to insomnia and hot sweats during the night, you then notice that alcohol is not very appealing any more.
I had no idea of how exhausted I’d been feeling when I was in perimenopause. I had just been putting up with feeling tired, low and having no energy. Only when I started to take HRT did I realise just how my energy levels had been so low. My zest for life returned and my energy came bouncing back!!
It was extraordinary how quick my energy levels rose and how much better and happier I felt in myself as a whole. The tiredness and fatigue can really make you feel pretty rubbish. If you are feeling tired, fatigued and you’re not sure if you are perimenopause or menopause book an appointment and discuss with your Gp and ask if you could be having menopause symptoms. Remember to check NICE guidelines of menopause treatment, download and print to take with you to help you and your Doctor to decide what is going to be the best form of treatment for you.
Since last summer, I developed a ringing in my ears. Particularly during bedtime, the ringing became such a nuisance with the loud throbbing and ringing in my ears. As I was now able to get to sleep with the help of HRT but I was now being kept awake by Tinnitus. It became a vicious circle, having previously had good sleep and feeling energised I suddenly noticed my tiredness return after a bad nights sleep from tinnitus.
The ringing was all too familiar as when I was a child, I had glue ear. I had absolutely no idea that the ringing would return at the age of 47!
Acupuncture has been a great help to manage tinnitus. I have been told that tinnitus can present as a menopause symptom. Management of my tinnitus has helped me to know and understand when my body is tired, the ringing will start in my ears and then I will notice that I am indeed tired or been particularly stressed. It is like a little reminder just to take it easy and to rest up. Too much white noise from TV, talking or busy open spaces can also trigger the ringing.
With knowledge and management of menopause with HRT and acupuncture, I now know how my body is changing and adjusting to menopause and this is how I self care for myself.
Good luck Meno’s, remember to look after yourself because you are worth it!
News this weekend made headlines about the possibility of halting menopause. This is great news especially for younger women who could be affected by POI, early menopause or through illness and surgical menopause. If you could halt your menopause would you? It is fantastic that we live in an age of such cutting edge science and technology. Let’s hope that this breakthrough will create a better quality of life for women with menopause. We are all extremely lucky to be a part of this time with such talented medical experts who specialise in medical health.
Have a great week Menos!! Make sure you fit in some quality time for yourselves.
Why is there no alarm bell or no added peer pressure when perimenopause or menopause arrives?There is rather a lack of it?
Definitely no bells ringing, is this a good thing?
Think back to when you were constantly being asked by school friends “have you started your period yet” That dreaded question, that you knew was coming. Maybe we do need a small reminder or that gentle nudge that perimenopause and menopause could soon be heading our way?
Would you like to have been more prepared and would you have appreciated some relevant information to help you for when the time comes?
How is it so, that all women at any age do not mention menopause? It’s quite remarkable that as women we go through our lives, living and dealing with periods and childbirth. Why do we go silent when talking about menopause? It’s a bit like the childbirth myth, not spoken about until afterwards.
Firstly, no one wants to admit that they are ageing or having symptoms, we are all guilty of that one! We do need to talk more openly about our feelings and to raise more awareness, no longer keeping menopause shrouded in taboo. It’s time to put menopause into a positive mindset for women, menopause should no longer be silenced or joked about. It happens to all of us, we need to embrace and accept it.
It is partly due to awareness and a lack of education on the subject of menopause and perimenopause. For a long while there has been very little available information out there for women until very recently. Women are now asking more questions, leading the way forward and gaining the correct menopause treatment that they rightly deserve. Menopause campaigners, Diane Danzebrink, Dr Louise Newson, Meg Matthews, Liz Earle and Andrea Maclean have helped to raise menopause’s profile and this is helping to make a difference to many women’s lives.
As a society, everyone is living longer. Menopause has suddenly exploded onto the horizon as more and more women are now working into an older age. Whilst running a busy home, a career, children, uni-teenagers, empty nest, elderly parents and life is busy, it’s fast paced and at times overwhelming with stress. No wonder women are asking more questions and in need of help and support.
Why not make this week a positive start and talk to friends, family members, colleagues about menopause. Start asking questions and see what response you have? You could be surprised and also be relieved that you all could be feeling the same way but just too embarrassed to mention. Give it a try!!!
A group of women who are shouting the word menopause on social media at present are the pausitivity ladies, they’re currently running a fantastic awareness campaign on social media. A poster/selfie campaign @Pausitvity it’s run by a group of 4 women – @yournewlifeplan @Karen_Kenning @Change_n_thrive @50Sense #KnowYourMenopause
These ladies are committed to helping spread the word “menopause” out there for everyone. Their aim is to have a poster in every GP surgery. The poster outlines symptoms and gives some informative advice on what to do if you are experiencing symptoms. Why not take your selfie today, with a poster like we did (below) and join in the menopause conversation too!
Head to @pausitivity on Twitter and click to download for the poster, take your selfie holding the poster and simply ask to pin up at your local GP Surgery.
#KnowYourMenopause
Author Jane Lewis of My Menopausal Vagina book, which highlights one of menopause’s taboo subjects Vaginal Atrophy. She is raising awareness for an unmentioned and not discussed menopause symptom, Vaginal Atrophy or genitourinary symptoms of menopause. Head to @mymenopausalvagina on twitter or www.mymenopausalvagina.co.uk then download your copy. Jane would like the leaflets to be featured in doctors surgeries, hospitals and care homes for elderly women to gain access. #vaginalatrophy campaign.
#VaginalAtrophy
This week we posted about an article from @mygenneve @jillangelo @RebeccaCaroe – founder of Faster Master Rowing. The article explains how rowing for women over the age of 40 is fast becoming a rapidly growing sport. There are many health and wellbeing benefits for women to start rowing as a sport. Not only is it good for fitness and health, it is a great stress buster and a sociable sport that women can meet and make new friends. To read the full article head to twitter @mygenneve
It looks like a challenge may well have been set by ourselves, so watch this space! A gentle nudge and reminder to give rowing a try!
September is all about new beginnings and fresh starts what will you be deciding to do this September menos?
A new feature to our weekly blog, a real life Meno 60 seconds interview!!!!!
Karen Lingard is a PeriMenoPost follower.
Karen would like to share her story with you to help other women by talking about the words “perimenopause and menopause”
Karens real life menopause journey, told by Karen, herself.
My journey began a couple of years ago, I started to put on some weight and was then not able to lose it. I noticed I was sweating more, than the usual. I never thought this had anything to do with menopause, I still felt far too young. I am 51 years old now, I feel that this age is a blessing. I began to hide my age and I didn’t really want to admit to getting older. Last year I started to feel that something was not right, upon the left side of my tummy, a slight swelling appeared. I was also experiencing really bad acid reflux which was making me feel quite nauseous a lot of the time.
I was always tired, with no energy. I knew something was wrong but didn’t know what it could be. I kept visiting my Doctor but they insisted it was acid reflux. A blood test revealed that I was anaemic due to the heavy periods I had endured. Having had a colonoscopy and endoscopy, I still felt unwell. My lower back and my joints were burning and were very painful, my Doctor sent me to have x rays and ct scans, just to be sure that there was nothing sinister happening. During this point, I became quite anxious I became convinced that it was something sinister as I knew my own body. I was given anxiety tablets from my doctor. I had never experienced anxiety before, I had never suffered with stress. I just knew there was something more.
I could not eat fatty foods, this would make me feel sick, my joints became painful and with a burning sensation. It was affecting my quality of life, work and my family life. I decided to pay privately for more scans and tests. My results showed that I was suffering from endometriosis and that I was in fact perimenopausal. Once treated for endometriosis, I began my own research of how to manage perimenopause. After reading Meg Matthews website, it seemed to mirror my own personal experience. During those four months, I had a feeling that I was going mad. I laugh now with friends about my A&E trips as I genuinely believed something was seriously wrong with me. I’m usually a rational person, but it seemed to take over my life. I manage my symptoms with taking regular vitamins to help, such as 3000mg of evening primrose per day, magnesium, cod liver oil, vitamins, vitamin D and calcium. Eating a healthy diet helps, ensuring that I eat all the right foods. I manage my symptoms with plenty of regular exercise and looking after my health and well being.
A big thank you to Karen Lingard, for sharing her personal journey of endometriosis and perimenopause. We can relate with Karen’s story with many doctor trips, A&E and interestingly diet too was a factor. If you are experiencing symptoms, NICE guidelines online gives a guide on menopause to help you.
PeriMenoPost will now be featuring every week within our blog a real life interview with one of our cherished followers. A bit of fun, embracing and accepting a positive attitude towards menopause and spreading the word that it’s ok and normal to discuss menopause.
#UndoTheMenoTaboo
PeriMenoPost 60 Second interview with real life
#Menowarriors
1) Best Part of menopause?
Able to understand, talk and accept my coming to terms with menopause.
2) Tell us your best #Menomoment?
My funniest #Menomoment, upon reflection and which I now laugh about has to be the trips to A&E . Friends joke, telling me that I am barred from A&E!
3) What has been the worst part of your menopause?
The bloating and change to my body.
4) Have you taken the NHS or Private Health route to treat your menopause?
Initially self funding privately, I am now treated within NHS.
5) Have you been supported within your workplace?
Yes.
6) HRT or natural/alternative treatment for Menopause?
Natural.
7) What advice would you give to a younger you, prior to Perimenopause and Menopause?
Information and awareness would have helped me during this time, as I felt I was in the dark.
8) Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Same, I’m now in a much happier, healthier place.
9) Who would you like to give a shout out – a mention too? Who has been supportive and instrumental in helping you through menopause?
Finding Meg Matthews website, www.megsmenopause.com – I stumbled upon her Instagram page. Bupa healthcare were very helpful.
10)Who is your favourite #Menowarrior?
Meg Matthews
Created by PeriMenoPost
If you would like to be interviewed for our weekly real life Meno 60 second interview,
contact –
@PeriMenoPost -Twitter
@perimenopost -Instagram
@PerimenoPost – Facebook
Look out for some exciting PeriMenoPost news soon – more information coming soon via social media!!
Competition time – Enter our competition to win yourself an #UndoTheMenoTaboo T-shirt!!! Simply retweet this week’s blog and the winner will be chosen by Friday 30th August 2019 Midday 12pm. Terms and conditions – below.
#UndoTheMenotaboo
Please read these terms carefully before entering the competition.
Entering the competition constitutes an acceptance of these terms and conditions.
The Competition is only open to (UK RESIDENTS)
The Competition is open to any resident of the United Kingdom over 18 years of age
Automated or bulk entries from third parties will be disqualified.
● We reserve the right to exclude serial competition entrants who have entered more than 4 competitions in the last month.
● There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
The Competition opens on (25th August 2019 13.45pm) and closes (30th August 2019 MIdday 12pm )
Entrants can enter at any point between these dates.
To enter the competition entrants will need to like the post and follow us
● Entrants can only enter the Competition once, but can like, regram/repost comment, tweet and RT as many times as they like
● The winner will be selected (Selected at random from list)
The winner will be selected at random from the list of entrants. Names will be entered into a spreadsheet and numbered and a member of staff that has not seen the spreadsheet will choose a number between x and y who shall be the winner.
● The winner will be notified by DM within 2 days of the closing date. If the winner cannot be contacted or do not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner. The winner will be notified via DM on Instagram within 14 days of the closing date.
● The prize for winning the competition will be (White Printed T-Shirt Value RRP 15.00GBP)
● The Prize as stated and cannot be sold or exchanged for cash, goods or services. Unless specifically agreed in writing by PeriMenoPost) ● The Prize is not transferable and must be accepted by the winner
PerimenoPost reserve the right to use the voice, image, photograph, name and likeness of the winners for publicity and in advertising, marketing or promotional material without additional compensation or prior notice to the winners. In entering the Competition, all participants consent to such use of their voice, image, photograph, name and likeness.
● Copyright of any material produced as part of the competition is owned by PeriMenoPost and/or its content suppliers.
● Unauthorised use of the material produced as part of this competition, including reproduction, storage, modification, distribution or publication without the prior written consent of PeriMenoPost or, where applicable, the respective competition entrant is prohibited.
● Where you are able to submit any contribution to this competition you agree, by submitting your contribution, to grant PeriMenoPost a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sub-licenseable right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, play, and exercise all copyright and publicity rights with respect to your contribution worldwide and/or to incorporate your contribution in other works in any media now known or later developed for the full term of any rights that may exist in your contribution. If you do not want to grant PeriMenoPost the rights set out above, please do not submit your contribution to PeriMenoPost
● By submitting your contribution to PeriMenoPost you warrant that your contribution is your own original work and that you have the right to make it available to PeriMenoPost for any or all of the purposes specified above. Furthermore, you warrant your contribution is not defamatory, does not infringe any law, you indemnify PeriMenoPost against all legal fees, damages and other expenses that may be incurred by periMenoPost as a result of your breach of the above warranty and waive any moral rights in your contribution for the purposes of its submission to and publication on the Site and the purposes specified above.
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● You consent to your first name, photograph and social media handles about you being disclosed on PeriMenoPost digital channels or other media if you win any Prizes under the Competition
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● By entering the Competition, you agree that PeriMenoPost may contact you in relation to the Competition. Absolving responsibility of the social platforms
● This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, platform x (INSTAGRAM or any other social network General liability cover ● PeriMenoPost do not accept liability for any damages whatsoever, including, without limitation, indirect or consequential damages, loss of profits, or any damages whatsoever arising out of, or in connection with the competition. ● Except in the case of death or personal injury arising from its negligence, or in respect of fraud, and so far as is permitted by law, periMenoPost and its associated companies and agents and distributors exclude responsibility and all liabilities, whether direct or indirect, arising from: ● any postponement or cancellation of the Competition; ● any changes to, supply of or use of the Prize; and ● any act or default of any supplier, which are beyond PeriMenoPost
This past week at the PeriMenoPost home has been through more change, no 2 daughter has now moved into a flat with no1 daughter. No 3 son has just had his first festival!!! Hand is on the mend too!
Looking forward to hearing all their news, oh how to be young again!!
As always Menos, have a super week and wishing you all a fabUlous bank holiday weekend!!
PeriMenoPost is pleased to announce the launch of www.perimenopost.com!!! Wahoo!!!!
If you have been following PeriMenoPost on social media you’ll know that not only do we talk socially about Menopause on all things digital but we can also help your business/brand to talk menopause friendly too!
I am Lorna Ive Founder of @PeriMenoPost and a digital mum graduate. PeriMenoPost can help your business to grow with strategic social media management.
I had a bolt of inspiration to help other women going through all stages of menopause. I wanted to create an online tool to help provide women with a friendly, fun and informative community. Navigating women through the rollercoaster ride of menopause with the help of social media platforms, Twitter – Facebook and Instagram with a weekly blog and competitions.
Perimenopost began as my campaign in January 2019 for my digital mums training, I was then able to put my lightbulb idea I had formed into action!! Perimenopost has helped to make menopause become more accepted and discussed in social conversations online and in real life.
Is your brand talking menopause friendly?
Do you have a business or brand that you feel can help women manage their perimenopause or menopause journey? Are you a brand that would like to reach out to the menopausal woman?
No longer a taboo, menopause conversations are now taking place. Let your business join in the conversation and help to raise brand awarenes and helping women at the same time.
Let perimenopost take your brand to the next level and create a winning formula!
Perimenopost is a resource for women to use online to be a part of a friendly, fun and informative community, to gain further information and understanding with a postive mindset helping to make informed choices.
Contact PeriMenoPost today.
www.perimenopost.com
@PeriMenoPost twitter
@Perimenopost instagram
@PerimenoPost Facebook
Starting the conversation about all things #earlymenopause #Perimenopause #Menopause and #postmenopause. Breaking down the taboo one post at a time ..
Real life Meno 60 seconds Interview
Real life Meno 60 Seconds interview
This weeks real life meno 60 seconds interview guest is our competition winner Samantha Evans @samtalkssex
Congratulations and well done Samantha !!!
Our #UndoTheMenoTaboo T shirt is on its way to you!!
#UndoTheMenoTaboo
Samantha Evans would like to share her menopause journey with you and share with you her commitment to raising awareness and helping women about sexual health, intimacy and to not suffer in silence. Read Sam’s story …..
I’m Samantha Evans co-founder of Jo Divine, an online sex toy company, with my husband Paul in 2007. I’m 51, menopausal, married with three teenagers.
Having a professional background in nursing, I’m a features writer for Jo Divine and work with many healthcare professionals in the NHS and private practice to help them advise their patients about regaining sexual function and enjoying sexual intimacy and pleasure through the use of suitable sex toys, dilators and sexual lubricants.
With an extensive knowledge about sex toys and sexual lubricants, I advise women going through the menopause and beyond about ways to enjoy sexual intimacy and pleasure as this is often a time when many couples give up on their sex lives due to the impact of menopausal health issues that affect their intimacy and pleasure.
I really enjoy sex but spent many years in my 20’s and 30’s suffering from recurrent thrush, bacterial vaginosis (BV), cystitis and urinary tract infections that led to vaginismus which nearly destroyed my sex life due to using poor lubricants such as KY jelly adn other well known brands which contain glycerin, glcyols and parabens all of which irriate the tissues of the vagina and vulva, disrupting vagina pH and can cause thrush. To overcome the issues of recurrent thrush or BV I would use well known feminine hygiene products bought over the counter and still recommended by GPs everywhere that actually exacerbated the problem as so many of them contain the same ingredients that were causing these recurrent infections!
The only advice I got from a gynaecologist at my local hospital was to iron the gusset of all my knickers which is useful advice but he never discussed my sex life or the use of lubricants.
This is why I’m passionate about educating women about ways to enjoy sexual intimacy and pleasure when menopausal and midlife sexual isues such as vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy, painful sex, low libido and decreased sexual sensation occur, issues that many find embarrassing to talk about, all of which can impact upon sexual intimacy and pleasure and lead to people giving up on their sex life when there are simple practical things they can do to keep enjoying sex. For me, sex is fun, messy, noisy, intimate and most of all pleasurable.
https://www.jodivine.com/
https://www.jodivine.com/authors/samantha-evans
Twitter @samtalkssex
@samtalkssex @jodivineuk Instagram jo.divine
1) Best Part of menopause?
Not giving a hoot about what people think about you, I have gained so much confidence and hopefully encourage other women to speak out, seek help and not suffer in silence or from embarrassment especially when it comes to enjoying sex.
Meeting all the fabulous women through campaigning for better education and care for women. Everyone has their own story to tell and has used it to improve their own quality of life and that of women everywhere.
2) Tell us your best #Menomoment?
Being part of the Latte Lounge Panel in aid of the Eve Appeal in July with Liz Earle ( huge fan of her products), Athena Lamnisos (CEO of Eve Appeal) Dr Louise Newson ( leading menopause GP), Katie Taylor (founder of the Latte Lounge) Diane Danzebrink (founder of Menopause Support) and Jane Lewis (author of Me & My Menopausal Vagina)
Seeing a medical professional panic when they can’t turn off the sex toy you’ve put in their hand at a conference/talk. This happens quite often and always makes me smile!
3) What has been the worst part of your menopause?
Walking out on my husband and sitting in a local wood among the bluebells crying for more than 3 hours earlier this year due to feeling completely overwhelmed and incredibly sad. I think I’m quite confident and practical, always trying to rationalize things, probably as I have a nursing background yet this completely derailed me. I always ask my children and husband where they are when they go out yet I turned off my phone and no one knew where I was and I made them frantic with worry. Something I still feel really sad about. We all ended up talking and things are better now.
4) Have you taken the NHS or Private Health route to treat your menopause?
I have to admit as a former nurse I had no idea of some of the symptoms of menopause such as palpitations, itchy skin, joint aches and pains, painful breast, ect. I started to see my male GP with these symptoms about a year before I was told I was menopausal. He was hopeless, refusing to acknowledge when asked, if these were menopause symptoms and prescribing inappropriate medication which exacerbated my symptoms. Luckily we have a female GP with an interest in women’s health in my GP practice so I took my symptom checklist Diane Danzebrink recommended I do but she didn’t look at it, within minutes of chatting she said you’re menopausal and she has been fabulous ever since.
5) Have you been supported within your workplace?
My husband and I co-own Jo Divine and work from our home office but he is just brilliant, he’s got used to my lapses in concentration. It helps our office looks out onto the garden and I go and sit outside, have a cup of tea whenever I want to.
6) HRT or natural/alternative treatment for Menopause?
HRT patches x 2 weekly to protect my heart, bone, vagina and bladder health, Vagifem (local oestrogen for my vagina) x 3 weekly.
Natural products include YES organic lubricants and vaginal moisturisers as they are free from glycerin which can cause thrush, glycols that irritate the tissue of the vagina and urethra and parabens which are oestrogenic and have no place inside our bodies, also pH balanced to that of the vagina.
Having had my sex life and vagina health destroyed in my 20’s and 30’s by KY jelly, well known lubricant brands and feminine hygiene products I wanted to ensure that I could continue to enjoy sex through menopause and beyond.
7) What advice would you give to a younger you prior to
Perimenopause and Menopause?
Get educated about the symptoms of the peri/menopause because I had no idea that many of my symptoms were perimenopausal, educate your children and partners, ignore all the negative menopause coverage in the media ( I wrote an article about how I was having better sex in my 40’s than my 20’s after seeing yet another photo of a sad women sitting ont h end of the bed in the Mail online whcih ended up in the Mail online!) and numerous websites/celebrities touting products for the menopause to vulnerable women that are often detrimental to health or offer no benefit.
8) Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Still enjoying great sex and helping more women (and their partners) to enjoy sexual intimacy and pleasure too. Hopefully will have written my book about owning Jo Divine and being a sexual health and pleasure expert.
9) Who would you like to give a shout out – mention too? Who has been supportive and instrumental in helping you through menopause?
I’m so lucky to have met and now work with amazing women campaigning for better education for everyone, including medical professionals, especially GPs so big shout out for Dr Louise Newson, Diane Danzebrink, Jane Lewis, Katie Taylor and Rachael Egderton plus my lovely husband Paul and three teenage children who are fabulous.
10)Who is your favourite #Menowarrior?
Can I have two? Diane Danzebrink #Make Menopause Matter campaigner and Jane Lewis, they have become firm friends and we can talk about anything, Jane and I are vagina warriors, she and I will never stop talking about vaginas, vulvas and sex!
Thank you Sam for a great interview about your journey and your fantastic campaigining for sexual health awareness which is helping so many women to regain their sex lives.
It’s menopause awareness month and we are very pleased to announce a well woman event!!
A little surprise in store as PeriMenoPost will be present too, come and say hello and join in the conversation about all things menopause.
Bella Vou Clinic, the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells is holding a well woman event. An evening of empowering and informative talks by womens health specialists.
The event is to be held at the Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0TG
26th Sept 7-9pm with host of speakers including question and answers.
Dr Marilyn Glenville PHD the UK’s leading nutritional specialist in women’s health will be discussing how to balance your hormones.
Dr Gail Ball is an experienced GP working within the NHS for womens health and sexual health in Brighton for 18 years.
Samantha Evans @samtalkssex @jodivine our competition winner!! Will be discussing sexual health and intimacy.
Pip Salmon is a clinical specialist physiotherapist an expert in pelvic floor and urinary incontinence. Pip will be sharing some tips and advice to help manage symptoms and giving you the confidence back to feel comfortable with your body.
Sandrine Gasnier the founder of Sandrines Pilates will be sharing some helpful exercises to regain pelvic floor muscle and strength, helping to control bladder, bowels and sexual energy.
Sue Hutchings owner of Knowle Grange Health Spa will be offering mini massage treatments during the event, Sue is a Reiki Master, Kinesiologist and personal trainer. Sue will be offering treatments during the evening event.
Nicola Pinkney is a MLD/DLT therapist who trained in the DR Vodder method of MLD for manual lymphatic drainage and decongestive lymphatic therapy. Nicola will also be providing treatments for the event.
PeriMenoPost will be joining in with questions and answers, so come and say hello!
www.bellavou.co.uk
Tickets are available from events@bellavou.co.uk or from www.eventbrite.co.uk/bellavou
Look forward to meeting you there Menos.
Competition time!!!!
If you would like to enter our weekly competition and win yourself an #undothemenotaboo t shirt, to enter you need to like our blog and then retweet or repost! you will be entered into a lucky dip. You may also be next weeks real life 60 seconds meno interview guest!!
Terms and conditions for competition;
Please read these terms carefully before entering the competition.
Entering the competition constitutes an acceptance of these terms and conditions.
The Competition is only open to (UK RESIDENTS)
The Competition is open to any resident of the United Kingdom over 18 years of age
Automated or bulk entries from third parties will be disqualified.
● We reserve the right to exclude serial competition entrants who have entered more than 4 competitions in the last month.
● There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
The Competition opens on (17th Sept 2019 2pm closes (24th Sept 2pm)
Entrants can enter at any point between these dates.
To enter the competition entrants will need to like the post and follow us
● Entrants can only enter the Competition once, but can like, regram/repost comment, tweet and RT as many times as they like
● The winner will be selected (Selected at random from list)
The winner will be selected at random from the list of entrants. Names will be entered into a spreadsheet and numbered and a member of staff that has not seen the spreadsheet will choose a number between x and y who shall be the winner.
● The winner will be notified by DM within 2 days of the closing date. If the winner cannot be contacted or do not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner. The winner will be notified via DM on Instagram within 14 days of the closing date.
● The prize for winning the competition will be (White Printed T-Shirt Value RRP 15.00GBP)
● The Prize as stated and cannot be sold or exchanged for cash, goods or services. Unless specifically agreed in writing by PeriMenoPost) ● The Prize is not transferable and must be accepted by the winner
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● Copyright of any material produced as part of the competition is owned by PeriMenoPost and/or its content suppliers.
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● You consent to your first name, photograph and social media handles about you being disclosed on PeriMenoPost digital channels or other media if you win any Prizes under the Competition
● Any personal data relating to participants will be used solely in accordance with UK data regulations and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent. To find out more about what data we hold and how we process data please read our privacy policy We follow Instagram Privacy policy, details will be destroyed 14 days after competition ends.
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Have a super week menos, keep shouting the word menopause out there!!
All of us together, we can normalise and make menopause become accepted within society. Contact PeriMenoPost today to talk menopause.
I feel HRT is somewhat like the menopause, everybody is different and the choice of HRT is varied. One woman’s menopause is a breeze whilst for another it can be debilitating and affects their quality of life. Some women are unfortunate that they cannot use HRT for medical reasons, this must be very tough for those women. They deserve a medal! Let’s hope that there is a breakthrough for those women.
When it comes to HRT, it’s similar in that what regime works for one person does not work for the next woman so to speak. Have you noticed that you have had to keep tweaking your regime? It becomes an ongoing process of trial and error to keep the level of hormones at the required level.
How do you know when it is working? Personally, energy was the biggest change for me, it returned!!!! My hair, nails and overall wellbeing improved for the better. So when it stops working, the symptoms can return;
Waking at night
Hot flush’s return
Anxiousness and irritability reappears
Bloating/weight gain
Mood changes – low, weepy
The dreaded tiredness and achy joints
Brainfog – the forgetfulness presents itself again
This can become frustrating as you begin to learn how to manage your treatment and then adjust to feeling better, when it returns it can set you back. It is important you establish a good relationship with your Gp or specialist to ensure that you work together to create a regime that is going to help you.
Try keeping a diary or a symptom chart to help you to keep a track of your symptoms. When you visit your Doctor this will help you to keep a record to show them and form a discussion prompt to help you gain the correct course of treatment. Also, this will help you too, for those days if you are feeling not quite yourself or our friend brain fog sets in, you will then see a pattern emerging that may be related to your hormones and HRT.
KEEP A DAILY TRACK OF SYMPTOMS AND TAKE THIS WITH YOU WHEN VISITING YOUR DOCTOR TO DISCUSS.
If you manage your menopause naturally, do you notice that you have a need to change certain elements to your regime? Have you tried alternative remedies to help manage alongside HRT or natural treatment for menopause?
Accupuncture
Reflexology
Aromatherapy
Massage
Exercise
Nutrition
Meditation
Yoga
Pilates
This weeks Real life 60 seconds meno is Hazel Hayden
This weeks Real life 60 seconds guest is Hazel Hayden. Hazel runs the Bristol Menopause and Well Woman Clinic, she is one incredible passionate lady who specialises in womens health and genuinely wants no woman to suffer from the symptoms that menopause may bring. Read Hazels interview – a real life #MenoWarrior
When I was peri-menopausal, I kept having mood swings and feeling low but I couldn’t understand why. I had a lovely husband, 2 gorgeous boys and a job I loved but every month I had a week of absolute torture. A colleague at work who had been through it herself suggested I needed HRT. I duly trotted off to my GP, who was a menopause expert, I was prescribed citalopram. Needless to say being a Nurse, I knew that this treatment would not work. I knew that if I started citalopram, I might never have come off them.
I still felt no better and was persistently going to my GP with different minor illnesses. These were treated individually, so I resorted to natural remedies, some helped a bit, some did nothing and were expensive. I decided to pay privately for treatment, after looking at the Menopause Matters website. A site of which 7 years ago was the only source of good menopause information.
I started HRT ( a combination that is routinely prescribed now but new then!!). Since then I have been on and off it a few times as I was experiencing problems with bleeding at times. I persevered and with some trial and error, I am now on a good combination that works for me. I continue to take Magnesium supplements, a probiotic, Co-enzyme Q10 and not forgetting Vitamin D with calcium.
Although my menopause clinic is a private clinic, I have strive to keep it as affordable as possible. I am aware of how hard it can be financially and as women, we always seem to put ourselves last.
I have undertaken extra training in Nutrition as well as the British Menopause Society specialist training.
PeriMenoPost 60 Second interview with real life #Menowarriors
1) Best Part of menopause?
My confidence once I started HRT.
2) Tell us your best #Menomoment?
Starting my own business.
3) What has been the worst part of your menopause?
Anxiety and low mood.
4) Have you taken the NHS or Private Health route to treat your menopause?
I did a combination of both NHS initally but was contantly offered anti-depressants so I decided to seek private health treatment for HRT, I now receive my treatment from NHS.
5) Have you been supported within your workplace?
I was not able to adjust the my working hours at my workplace so hence I have now set up my own business.
6) HRT or natural/alternative treatment for Menopause?
I use a combination of HRT and natural alternatives. At times I have used natural/alternative treatment alone but have often found that they help, but not as much as HRT works.
7) What advice would you give to a younger you prior to Perimenopause and Menopause?
To start exercising and eating healthy earlier as this will help to prepare you for the onslaught of peri-menopause and menopause. This is something, that I never realised before it started happening to me.
8) Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Running my business which helps women to navigate and achieve the best for themselves and how they feel. I enjoy travelling lots with my husband.
9) Who would you like to give a shout out – mention too? Who has been supportive and instrumental in helping you through menopause?
I would like to give a shout out to my husband, Tim. Menopause Matters – my bible in the early years. My Menopause Doctor and the Portishead chiropractic clinic.
10)Who is your favourite #Menowarrior? Dr Heather Currie, the Pausivity girls and Dr Louise Newson.
A big thankyou to Hazel Hayden for her interview, it is fantastic that Hazel is helping other women to find their way through the menopause. You can contact Hazel at the website – www.bristolmenopause.com or @Hazelhayden -Twitter
If you would like to win a t-shirt like Hazel Hayden and if you have enjoyed reading this weeks blog. Retweet our post to be in with your chance to win yourself a T-shirt and be our real life meno 60 seconds interview guest!
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● By submitting your contribution to PeriMenoPost you warrant that your contribution is your own original work and that you have the right to make it available to PeriMenoPost for any or all of the purposes specified above. Furthermore, you warrant your contribution is not defamatory, does not infringe any law, you indemnify PeriMenoPost against all legal fees, damages and other expenses that may be incurred by periMenoPost as a result of your breach of the above warranty and waive any moral rights in your contribution for the purposes of its submission to and publication on the Site and the purposes specified above.
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● You consent to your first name, photograph and social media handles about you being disclosed on PeriMenoPost digital channels or other media if you win any Prizes under the Competition
● Any personal data relating to participants will be used solely in accordance with UK data regulations and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent. To find out more about what data we hold and how we process data please read our privacy policy We follow Instagram Privacy policy, details will be destroyed 14 days after competition ends.
● By entering the Competition, you agree that PeriMenoPost may contact you in relation to the Competition. Absolving responsibility of the social platforms
● This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, platforms Twitter and INSTAGRAM or any other social network General liability cover ● PeriMenoPost do not accept liability for any damages whatsoever, including, without limitation, indirect or consequential damages, loss of profits, or any damages whatsoever arising out of, or in connection with the competition. ● Except in the case of death or personal injury arising from its negligence, or in respect of fraud, and so far as is permitted by law, periMenoPost and its associated companies and agents and distributors exclude responsibility and all liabilities, whether direct or indirect, arising from: ● any postponement or cancellation of the Competition; ● any changes to, supply of or use of the Prize; and ● any act or default of any supplier, which are beyond PeriMenoPost
Yesterday marked #WorldMentalHealthDay2019 Menopause can bring with along 34 symptoms! amongst those Low mood, anxiety, low self esteem and depression can happen at a time when you are going through a big change to your body. If you are finding the menopause too much and hard to cope, find someone that you can talk to. Could be a friend, a colleague, a family member or your Gp. Be brave and take that step to ask for help, there will always be someone there to listen to you and give you support. Below are some links for you to contact if you feel you would need supporting.
www.mind.org
www.nhs.uk
www.sane.org.uk
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
www.rethink.org
Don’t suffer in silence, be kind to yourselves. Make that call today.
Have a great week Menos, keep smiling and talking to one another.
Is there a history of Osteoporosis in your family?
Dropping levels of oestrogen is one of the effects of menopause that causes the thinning of bones.
Due to the falling oestrogen levels, women’s bones become thin and weaken and may be at risk from osteoporosis, Post menopause women need to be aware and vigilant of their bone health to protect themselves from any fractures. By making some changes to lifestyle in the form of exercise, diet and hrt you can make a difference to maintaning your bone health, supporting you during menopause and post menopause.
It is important to remain as active as much as you can.
As we age our bones become thinner and weaker. Being active and exercising this will help your bones to remain strong and healthy.
Exercise.
Diet.
Vitamin D.
HRT.
Try to maintain a low body weight, this can be hard during perimenopausae and menopause as you may experience fatigue, bloating, weight gain and have no energy. The last thing you want to do is exercise, but this will help you to feel better and maintain your weight. Try walking each day, or taking the stairs, walking to work where you can as possible. A home dvd workout, a you tube exercise video, try a class – go along with a friend for support. Why not enter a sponsored race/walk event?
Start with some small steps with one form of exercise, this could be a 15 minute walk and increase the time and distance each day.
Smoking, we know is not good for our health and it is not helpful with keeping our bones healthy, if possible do not smoke as this affects your bone tissue.
As much we love having the odd G&T or a glass of our favourite wine, it is now the time to drink in moderation. Alcohol can affect bone health, our overall health and if we drink too much we are inclined to fall over and have an accident. We have all been there a few times!! But as we age, in particular post menopause it can cause problems if you have weak bones or osteoporosis.
If you are concerned about your bone health and if you have experienced an early menopause before the age of 45 or a hysterectomy talk to your Gp to ask if you may have a DEXA scan to measure your bone density.
You can ask for supplements from your GP, chemist to help build calcium for your bone health.
Nutrition through your diet can also help to ensure your providing your bones with the correct vitamins, minerals needed to keep bone tissue healthy and strong.
Vitamin D is a great source for building bones and a general sense of well being. We all love the sunshine!! 20 minutes a day is needed to help you ensure you are providing your body with the correct amount of vitamin D for your bone tissue. Try and walk when the sun is shining, there is no better feeling in the world than walking in the sunshine.
Exercise is so important on so many levels, it helps to alleviate menopause symptoms. The endorphins from exercise make you feel fantastic and you’re also looking after your body and health at the same time.
It becomes even more important at this stage of post-menopause as you need to exercise to keep your bones strong and healthy. Important for your balance and coordination to keep you strong and alert.
Find a form of exercise that invigorates you, makes you feel good and most importantly that you enjoy!
walking
aerobics
dance
gym workout
weights
jogging
tennis
badminton
squash
cycling
swimming
yoga
pilates
Try and add into your exercise regime some weight bearing exercises. Bones need to be used to enable the bones to become stronger and flexible. This is important for bones, for example a body weight press up or some star jumps.
Once your bones become stronger the muscles will pull on the bones. The bones are receiving a kind of workout, as you get stronger you will then pull harder making the bones strengthen. If you workout from home or at the gym, use a resistance band or weights to help build the muscle and bone strength.
basketball, volleyball, track events, star jumps, tuck jumps, high level jumps. high impact
source Royal Society of Osteoporosis charity
For more help and information visit the website for the Royal Society of Osteoporosis www.theros.org.uk
HRT is also used to treat women for osteoporosis to help build bone strength, reduces bone loss and restores calcium. Speak to your Gp if you need more information and guidance.
This weeks Real life Meno 60 seconds interview is Ann Stephens, Co-Founder of Positivepause with fellow Co-Founder Jo McEwan. Read Ann’s interview, her personal perimenopause journey and how PositivePause was created.
Best part of Menopause? I’m 57 and technically still perimenopausal. Fingers crossed, potentially next summer I’ll have my menopause party! Since setting up PositivePause with co-founder Jo, I’ve met some incredible people, all sharing knowledge, experience and expertise to help other women be prepared and feel supported in what potentially is a very perplexing phase.
2) Tell us your best #Menomoment?
After 18 months of research and planning, to press publish and launch our website on World menopause Day 2017, and within 3 months being invited on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour feature on menopause.
3) What has been the worst part of your Menopause?
Not understanding that my anxiety, loss of confidence, brain fog, tearfulness and mood swings were due to perimenopausal hormone changes, and that I wasn’t going bonkers!
4) Have you taken the NHS or Private Health route to treat your menopause?
Neither. Setting up our website meant I did a huge amount of research. Needless to say I focused a lot on the psychological side. The more I understood how simple lifestyle changes could improve my moods and self-confidence the better I felt. I began exercising more, changed what and when I ate, and knew when I had to say no. I took charge of my health.
5)Have you been supported within your workplace?
I’ve been self-employed for 20 years. Before I understood that I was perimenopausal, I declined certain work as I was too anxious to cope. When I was at my worst I also had a job share teaching interior design, most of the staff were much younger, single, on dating apps, about to get married or have kids. Menopause was not something I thought they’d have any empathy with. Once I told them about the website we were developing, I became far more open and unabashed about discussing the topic. They’re now more aware of what to anticipate and know a great website to get the best info!
6) HRT or natural/alternative treatment for Menopause?
Natural. I take omega-3 fish oil supplements and vitamin D oral spray in the winter months. I’m not on HRT and I’m not against it. I know the wonders it’s done for so many women. Once I understood why I was experiencing my symptoms, I felt more in control. If I’d had the physical symptoms of hot flushes or vaginal dryness I would certainly take HRT.
7) What advice would you give to a younger you prior to Perimenopause and Menopause?
Knowledge is power. Get clued up, don’t bury your head in the sand, menopause will come your way and it may not be what you anticipated. Understand what perimenopause is and be prepared so you know what options you have to manage your individual symptoms. Take control, if you’re not happy, talk to someone about it and don’t be embarrassed, it’s natural and you’re not alone.
8)Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Happier and healthier than I was in my late 40’s and early 50’s.
9)Who would you like to give a shout out – mention too? Who has been supportive and instrumental in helping you through menopause?
I have huge respect for Dr Karen Morton. I was given her contact by a friend and she was so supportive when we were setting up our website. She’s since spoken at several of our events. She’s such an awesome woman, with so much drive, energy, passion, knowledge and understanding. I also have to mention my husband, who was at a loss to know what to do or say when I was at my worst. Once he understood why I’d turned into loose cannon of emotions, he’s become one of our greatest advocates.
10)Who is your favourite #Menowarrior?
There are so many, although Harriet Beveridge manages to make a miserable topic a laugh a minute. We saw her stand-up act, menoPAUSE, in Edinburgh and following that we invited her to MC and perform her act at both our PositivePause Feelgood Fairs. I could empathise with her experience, she’s a bright educated and articulate woman who was also clueless about perimenopause. She turned her story into comedy, and we created a website. Our messages are the same – be prepared for perimenopause.
Thank you Ann, for your story, looking forward to hearing about your menopause party!
Jo and Ann have created a fantastic website to help women be guided through the stages of menopause with helpful, positive and fun information.
The PositivePause ladies can be found at their fabulous website
www.positivepause.co.uk and via social media.
Would you like to be our next real-life meno 60 seconds interview guest?
If you would like to win a t-shirt and if you have enjoyed reading this weeks blog.
All you have to do is enter our competition!!!
Full terms and conditions are below.
Retweet our post to be in with your chance to win yourself a #UndoTheMenoTaboo t-shirt and be our real life meno 60 seconds interview guest!
Terms and conditions for competition;
Please read these terms carefully before entering the competition.
Entering the competition constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.
The Competition is only open to (UK RESIDENTS)
The Competition is open to any resident of the United Kingdom over 18 years of age
Automated or bulk entries from third parties will be disqualified.
● We reserve the right to exclude serial competition entrants who have entered more than 4 competitions in the last month.
● There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
The Competition opens on (3rd Nov 9pm closes ( 10th Nov 9pm)
Entrants can enter at any point between these dates.
To enter the competition entrants will need to like the post and follow us
● Entrants can only enter the Competition once, but can like, regram/repost comment, tweet and RT as many times as they like
● The winner will be selected (Selected at random from list)
The winner will be selected at random from the list of entrants. Names will be entered into a spreadsheet and numbered and a member of staff that has not seen the spreadsheet will choose a number between x and y who shall be the winner.
● The winner will be notified by DM within 2 days of the closing date. If the winner cannot be contacted or do not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner. The winner will be notified via DM on Instagram within 14 days of the closing date.
● The prize for winning the competition will be (White Printed T-Shirt Value RRP 15.00GBP)
● The Prize as stated and cannot be sold or exchanged for cash, goods or services. Unless specifically agreed in writing by PeriMenoPost) ● The Prize is not transferable and must be accepted by the winner
PerimenoPost reserve the right to use the voice, image, photograph, name and likeness of the winners for publicity and in advertising, marketing or promotional material without additional compensation or prior notice to the winners. In entering the Competition, all participants consent to such use of their voice, image, photograph, name and likeness.
● Copyright of any material produced as part of the competition is owned by PeriMenoPost and/or its content suppliers.
● Unauthorised use of the material produced as part of this competition, including reproduction, storage, modification, distribution or publication without the prior written consent of PeriMenoPost or, where applicable, the respective competition entrant is prohibited.
● Where you are able to submit any contribution to this competition you agree, by submitting your contribution, to grant PeriMenoPost a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sub-licenseable right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, play, and exercise all copyright and publicity rights with respect to your contribution worldwide and/or to incorporate your contribution in other works in any media now known or later developed for the full term of any rights that may exist in your contribution. If you do not want to grant PeriMenoPost the rights set out above, please do not submit your contribution to PeriMenoPost
● By submitting your contribution to PeriMenoPost you warrant that your contribution is your own original work and that you have the right to make it available to PeriMenoPost for any or all of the purposes specified above. Furthermore, you warrant your contribution is not defamatory, does not infringe any law, you indemnify PeriMenoPost against all legal fees, damages and other expenses that may be incurred by PeriMenoPost as a result of your breach of the above warranty and waive any moral rights in your contribution for the purposes of its submission to and publication on the Site and the purposes specified above.
Data protection
● You consent to your first name, photograph and social media handles about you being disclosed on PeriMenoPost digital channels or other media if you win any Prizes under the Competition
● Any personal data relating to participants will be used solely in accordance with UK data regulations and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent. To find out more about what data we hold and how we process data please read our privacy policy We follow Instagram Privacy policy, details will be destroyed 14 days after competition ends.
● By entering the Competition, you agree that PeriMenoPost may contact you in relation to the Competition. Absolving responsibility of the social platforms
● This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, platforms Twitter and INSTAGRAM or any other social network General liability cover ● PeriMenoPost do not accept liability for any damages whatsoever, including, without limitation, indirect or consequential damages, loss of profits, or any damages whatsoever arising out of, or in connection with the competition. ● Except in the case of death or personal injury arising from its negligence, or in respect of fraud, and so far as is permitted by law, PeriMenoPost and its associated companies and agents and distributors exclude responsibility and all liabilities, whether direct or indirect, arising from: ● any postponement or cancellation of the Competition; ● any changes to, supply of or use of the Prize; and ● any act or default of any supplier, which are beyond PeriMenoPost
Remember to treat yourselves with kindness and pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you. There is only one of you, you are important!!
Make that time this week to relax, pamper and put yourself first. You may take some advice from our real life meno 60 seconds interview Ann Stephens, or use some of the tips on how to ensure you look after your bone health and be more informed about osteoporosis.
This wednesday is #StressAwarenessDay
How will you put into practice self care and making time for you?
We have some exciting articles to share with you, keep posted for new blogs.
Have a super week Menos, keep smiling and stay positive!
Has the menopause changed your relationship with your partner? Are you at a crossroads with your sex life due to menopause?
When menopause arrives it can unexpectedly create a curve ball within your relationship. You are suddenly dealing with your hormones that are changing constantly, going up and down and with it the many added physical symptoms.
It is of no surprise that your relationship with your partner may become strained during this time. It is important to talk to your partner and tell them how you are feeling and for you both to be patient and understanding. Your partner may be feeling completely at a loss too, with the sudden change in your relationship.
It’s important that you talk with your partner and your Gp about your symptoms.
During this time of change, why not try something new as a couple? Dancing, exercise togther – set a challenge and why not sign up for a race or event. Discover a new hobby, see some shows, concerts or take a spontaneous trip somewhere.
A positive mindset and talking to one another can help you get through this time, it is another chapter of your journey together try and make time to have some fun.
Enjoying Midlife Sex
By Sam Evans
We are very fortunate this week to be able to share with you a great blog from Samantha Evans, PeriMenoPost is proud to call a Menomate!
Twitter – @samtalkssex @jodivineuk a sexual health and pleasure expert.
Sam Evans lives locally in Tunbridge Wells and is a passionate advocate for ensuring women are correctly informed about their sexual health, she works tirelessly to ensure that women do not suffer, are in no pain or discomfort and that they are able to enjoy a fulfilled sex life. I have had the pleasure of hearing Sam talk at a local well woman event and Sam is great fun, incredibly knowledgable about all things sex, sex toys and lubricants. Sam is dedicated to making a change to womens sexual health and helping couples to be just as intimate as they always have been.
If you have experienced issues with intimacy and if your sexual health has been affected, read sams article. Sam provides positive, informative and helpful suggestions to help you regain a healthy sex life again.
“Samantha Evans”:https://www.jodivine.com/authors/samantha-evans co-founded Jo Divine, an online sex toy company, with her husband Paul in 2007 which only sells skin safe sex toys and sexual lubricants.
Having a professional background in nursing, she is a features writer and sexual health and pleasure expert for Jo Divine. She works with many healthcare professionals in the NHS and private practice to help them advise their patients about regaining sexual function and enjoying sexual intimacy and pleasure through the use of suitable sex toys, dilators and sexual lubricants.
With an extensive knowledge about sex toys and sexual lubricants, Samantha enjoys creating informative, practical articles about sexual health and pleasure which endeavour to normalise sex, help people to talk about it and discover ways to enjoy sex in whatever way they want to or are able to. She has also been featured extensively in the media
As a menopausal woman she also advises women going through the menopause and beyond about ways to enjoy sexual intimacy and pleasure as this is often a time when many couples give up on their sex lives due to the impact of menopausal health issues that affect their intimacy and pleasure.
As we get older our sex drive and sexual sensation can change, especially when dealing with a myriad of perimenopausal/menopausal symptoms, such as vaginal dryness or atrophy, decreased sexual sensation or low libido making sex feel painful, uncomfortable or simply not working for you anymore.
Often women give up on sex or continue to endure painful sex which is neither pleasurable, good for their vagina health or their relationship. Women who previously had a good sex life may get frustrated that the menopause has impacted upon their sex life in this way too.
However with a few tweaks to your relationship and the way in which you enjoy sexual intimacy and pleasure, you can continue to enjoy sex, even discovering new ways to make it more pleasurable
Talk to your Partner
This is the commonest reasons why couples give up on midlife sex because they are unable to talk to each other. Your partner probably has no idea about how you are feeling and may think you no longer love or desire them so it is important to tell them why you do not want to have sex or why it no longer feels pleasurable.
Over time, our sexual tastes, sensation, stimulation and attraction change so explore new ways to enjoy intimacy. What might have worked for you or your partner in the past may not work now so show each other where and how you like to be touched, make sounds of pleasure to encourage them when they hit the right spot. Try new positions, prolonged foreplay, quickie sex, simple sex toys, enjoy hotel sex, whatever makes you both feel good.
Share your fantasies, you may discover that some of them are the same. You might even want to act some of them out too!
Use A Good Lube!
Vagina dryness affects women of all ages due to hormones, breastfeeding, medication, cancer treatments, stress, anxiety and especially the ageing process.
One simple way to make sex feel pleasurable, last longer and promote vaginal lubrication is to use lubricant. Do not think of lubricants as just fixing a problem, using a good pH balalanced sexual lubricant can make “ok sex” feel great.
I put YES organic oil based lubricant on before foreplay to get things going which really helps, you may only want to apply it for penetrative sex or other sex play, experiment with what works for you. Always stop if sex feels painful.
It may take time to get used to using a sexual lubricant for both you and your partner which is why it is important to use a good sexual lubricant, a product free from irritating ingredients that has been designed for sex play, not something from your bathroom or kitchen cupboard. Many couples try a lubricant, find that it causes irritation or even thrush, think all lubricants are the same which is not the case so avoid lubricants.
Using a pH balanced lubricant such as YES organic lubricants and vaginal moisturisers, free for irritating ingredients not only makes sex feel more pleasurable and last longer but also keeps your vagina and vulva happy and healthy, especially as we get older.
A Healthy Vagina is A Happy Vagina
Many people care about what they eat or use on their face, hair and body but do not give a thought to what they are putting on their vulva and inside their vagina or anus yet these are highly absorbent and sensitive intimate parts of our body.
Having had my own sex life and vagina health destroyed in my 20’s and 30’s by using KY and other well known lubricant brands and feminine hygiene products still available on the high street today which caused recurrent thrush, bacterial vaginosis ( a vaginal infection with a fishy smell which requires anitbiotic treatment), cystitis and urinary tract infections this led to vaginismus whereby the muscles of the vagina constrict, making penetration either impossible or feel painful.
Through my own research and discovering “YES organic lubricants”:https://www.jodivine.com/articles/sex-tips/want-better-sex-use-lube I found that many commercial lubricants/moisturisers and feminine hygiene products contain ingredients including glycerin, propylene glycol, parabens, perfume and dyes in addition to “tingling” or “warming “ ingredients which can irritate the tissues of the vulva and vagina, disrupting the delicate pH of the vagina which may cause thrush or bacterial vaginosis, especially if you are prone to these infections.
Many water based formulations have a high osmolarity so exacerbate vaginal dryness by drawing moisture from the walls of the vagina not hydrating them.
Always check the ingredients before you buy or ask your GP before they prescribe you a product and do a skin test before rubbing it over your clitoris, nothing worse than an itchy or stinging vulva or vagina! Be aware that some well known brands do not put the ingredients on the box or label so choose a product that has an ingredients label.
Feminine hygiene products, scented menstrual products and perfumed condoms are completely unnecessary as our vaginas are self cleaning and all you will do is disrupt the vagina pH which will lead to irritation, an infection and make your vagina/vulva feel sore.
I keep my vagina and vulva happy by using YES oil based organic lubricant for sex and when using sex toys, YES vaginal moisturiser twice weekly and Vagifem, a local oestrogen pessary three times weekly. For those worried about using HRT, local oestrogen is not absorbed systemically (into the bloodstream), it is absorbed directly into the walls of the vagina and into the skin of the vulva, replacing the depleting oestrogen to keep the skin healthy and flexible. The depleting oestrogen makes the tissues of the vagina and vulva shrink and thin, leaving them feeling sore, less well lubricated and the vagina tightens, making penetration feel sore or painful. It can also lead to thrush or other vaginal infections and irritation. Local oestrogen is the equivalent of taking one HRT tablet each year so an incredibly small amount of oestrogen which can make a huge difference to your vagina/vula health and your sexual pleasure too.
Regular Orgasms are Good for You
Orgasms are fun, free and good for your health!
Enjoying regular orgasms with a partner or during solo play using your fingers or a sex toy can increase your vaginal lubrication, help you begin to feel more sexual if you are struggling with your libido, reduce stress, boost immunity, keep you looking young and exercise your pelvic floor. Orgasms can also improve the quality of your sleep, a common problem during menopause, as the release of feel good endorphins induces a state of relaxation helping you drift off.
Often during menopause our ability to orgasm may take longer or it may not feel as pleasurable so I often recommend using a “simple bullet vibrator”:https://www.jodivine.com/articles/buyers-guides/bullet-vibrators either for solo play or with a partner. Small enough to slip between yourself and your partner, bullets can also be used on partners with a penis and on nipples too.
Men can benefit from enjoying regular orgasms because they can improve prostate health and help to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Regular ejaculation flushes out prostate fluid in the prostate gland which can stagnate and become inflamed leading to an enlarged prostate which causes pain, increases the need to pee and difficulty in emptying the bladder.
Kick start your Libido
Sometimes it can be really hard just to make the effort to have sex so take the focus of penetrative sex if this is how you normally enjoy sex with a partner and enjoy non penetrative sex play. Enjoy kissing, cuddling, body massage, gentle touch with fingers, silky ribbons, feathers, mutual masturbation with a good pH balanced sexual lubricant, nipple play. Having regular orgasms can help to kick start your libido and arousal so indulge in a long bath and take your favourite waterproof sex toy with you, grab some self care time alone or share your sex toy with your partner. Show them how it works for you, use it on their body.
Exercise those Pelvic Floor Muscles
Regular pelvic floor exercises can make orgasms feel stronger and help incontinence issues. However, some women have a tight pelvic floor which can make penetrative sex feel painful. If you are unsure how to do your pelvic floor exercises or if you think you have a weak or tight pelvic floor, a pelvic health physiotherapist is the best person to see. They are the experts in pelvic health and will be able to assess your pelvic floor muscles, offering practical exercises to strengthen or release your pelvic floor. Many work in the NHS so ask your GP to refer you. You can also self refer to those working in private practice too.
Explore Sex Toys
Incorporating sex toys into your sex play can help you enjoy new ways to be intimate and discover new sexual sensations especially if you find yourself struggling to orgasm or it takes longer due to decreased sexual sensation.
A simple bullet vibrator is small enough to slip between you and a partner to enjoy clitoral stimulation during penetrative sex or foreplay. You can use it on yourself, get your partner to use it on you or play with it on their body.If vaginal tightness is an issue, using a slim vibrator or dilator with plenty of lubricant can help stretch the vagina walls, making them more flexible and penetrative sex feel more pleasurable.
Vibrating constriction rings are a great way to help a man maintain his erection, last longer and offer clitoral stimulation at the same .
Sex is not just penetration – enjoying prolonged sex play might be all you want. Explore sex toys, oral sex, bondage, nipple play, mutual masturbation, kissing and intimate massage.
Don’t give up on your sex life, talk to your partner, use a good pH balanced sexual lubricant, masturbate more, explore sex toys, do your pelvic floor exercises, be imaginative, adventurous and have fun in whatever way feels pleasurable for you!
At Jo Divine we believe that sexual health and sexual pleasure go hand in hand and have created a health brochure with suitable products to help people with sexual issues. Working with medical professionals, we hope to encourage patients and HCPs alike in talking more freely about sexual problems. A health issue doesn’t mean your sex life will have to stop!
Thank you Sam for your helpful and informative feature, women will now be informed and have the knowledge to ask their health care professional more questions and gain the correct course of treatment that they rightly deserve.
You can follow Sam on Twitter @SamtalksSex @jodivineuk or via her website for products and information www.jodivine.com / Instagram @Jo.divine
This week’s real life meno 60 seconds interview guest is Jo Moseley, AKA the Paddle board super hero!
Jo is the first woman within the UK to stand up paddleboard – S U P from coast to coast!!
One awesome real-life meno warrior!!!
Since turning 50, Jo has begun her personal quest and journey of paddleboarding and helping to clean up the environment along the waterways as she travels. Jo takes you on a journey aboard her paddleboard, giving you a refreshing view of life upon the UK’s waterways, scenery, seasons, every type of weather and the wildlife she encounters along the way. Her passion is clear and is infectious, making you feel that you too could jump on a paddleboard, enjoy nature and join her on her mission to help make a difference to the environment.
Jo is passionate about the environment and is actively involved in the #2minutebeachclean and also an active member of the wave project, a surf therapy charity for children in the UK.
This year saw Jo complete the #paddleboardthenorthchallenge!! It was a joy to follow her adventures via social media. Adding to Jo’s talents and comitment to her cause she has just won the 2019 Smart award for Best Bradford Film!! Congratulations Jo we are all behind you, all the way!
Nothing is going to stop Jo, not even menopause! She is enjoying this stage of her life and being able to experience the freedom, joy, exhilaration and the feeling of being alive out on the water. Read Jo’s menopause journey and how she has found a new sense of energy and zest for life.
Jo Moseley @Healthyhappy50
#2minutebeachclean #paddleboardthenorth
2019 Smart Award winner Best Bradford Film
1) Best Part of menopause?
Ooh interesting! I think because the perimenopause broke me when I was already down, the healing & learning is the best part. I had to start looking after myself because I was at such a low point & that has been an interesting & empowering journey. I’ve made friendships, learned skills, gone on adventures & found my creative & personal voice.
2) Tell us your best #Menomoment?
Ooh I think paddleboarding into Goole this summer in a huge thunderstorm followed by a beautiful rainbow. I had completed my 162 mile coast to coast fundraising & litter picking adventure. As the first woman to do so & at 54, it made me feel like I had achieved something not just for me but for women in their 50s and those going through the menopause.
3) What has been the worst part of your menopause?
Sleepless nights, crippling anxiety, joint pains & feeling like I was lost.
4) Have you taken the NHS or Private Health route to treatyour menopause?
I haven’t really been treated with either route. I’ve researched & found my own answers. I am however aware that I am very fortunate in that I’ve been able to do this. If I were to seek treatment, it would be NHS.
5) Have you been supported within your workplace?
I haven’t really needed to ask for support. I work in a very kind environment anyway so I am fortunate. My colleagues do comment on how warm I like to keep my office and why I am wearing 3 jumpers in summer! I get cold flushes!
6) HRT or natural/alternative treatment for Menopause?
7) What advice would you give to a younger you prior toPerimenopause and Menopause?
Look after yourself more! Put yourself on the priority list! Move, say no to things that don’t bring you joy, stop volunteering for everything, be kinder to yourself, go to bed early. You don’t have to be superwoman! Also read up on the perimenopause & what it’s all about. You think you have to do everything on your own as a single Mum but you don’t. It’s ok to ask for help. Look after your bone health!
8) Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Ooh I hope taking women out on the water on Paddleboarding retreats, litter picking, stretching & having delicious food. Helping women feel like warrior women on the water. Spending more time at the coast & in the sea. Writing & speaking about adventures, wellbeing in menopause & midlife purpose & reinvention.
9) Who would you like to give a shout out – mention too?
Who has been supportive and instrumental in helping you through menopause?
Ooh great question! Definitely a shout out to Deborah Garlick of Henpicked. I think they were the first online community I discovered who even talked about the menopause openly. I learned so much and was grateful to contribute to their book. That was 4 or 5 years ago. Rachel from Magnificent Midlife has been sharing huge amounts of very valuable information for years too. Also Jo & Anne from Positive Pause and Jane from Meno & Me for inviting me to talk at their respective menopause events this autumn. A privilege & honour. Angela from Behind The Woman is brilliant too. My friend Sam Bunch who wrote a fab, funny book Menopause – A Hot Topic. Basically, we are lifting and supporting each other.
10)Who is your favourite #Menowarrior?
Ooh Jane Dowling. She gives 110% every day on social media. Sharing her journey, answering questions, supporting and just being incredible. Her exercise videos on Instagram are so helpful. Such a star!
Thank you Jo for your story, we are looking forward to hearing about your sup adventures! The retreats sound great, keep us all posted.
You can keep up to date with Jo’s adventures and follow her at;
Twitter @Healthyhappy50
Instagram @healthyhappy50
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Christmas is fast approaching, the season will soon be upon us, how does this make you feel menos?
Are you already feeling the burden of all the season necessities falling on your shoulders?
Are you aware of what is giving you stress or anxiety for the christmas season?
This week give yourself some time to sit down and make a christmas plan to help you manage through christmas, identify what is already causing you stress?
Make a plan to delegate jobs, if you are sharing christmas with family members. Schedule in time for you to take a break, a walk in the fresh air, a quiet time to read a christmas novel or magazine. Set yourself limits as to how you want to spend christmas, practice self care even if it means you need to take a nap if your body is tired!
Remember how important selfcare is when managing menopause symptoms and how to look after yourself with some early nights, healthy eating and exercise this will all help to make you feel so much better.
