Areas of clinical focus

The list of menopause symptoms is long, but every woman’s experience is unique and therefore potentially isolating. There are symptoms that many women suffer from, and this gives us a common ground on which to share collectively; however, the amplification of ailments and struggles that already exist for someone has largely gone unrecognised. Chronic illness symptoms, chronic pain, mental health struggles, and neurodiverse traits can all become more challenging to manage during menopause. Identifying them is knowledge, and knowledge is power. The following list includes common experiences that many women encounter, but it is not exhaustive.

• Hot flashes, night sweats, temperature intolerance
• Insomnia and sleep disruption
• Mood swings, rage, anxiety, and depression
• Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and short-term memory issues
• Fatigue and low energy levels
• Weight gain, loss of muscle mass and strength
• Difficulty managing metabolism, bowel changes and irregularity
• Genitourinary changes

Understanding ourselves within the broader context of our lives helps us identify what needs our attention. Often, we only focus on what is happening to our bodies and fail to recognise the impact of our environment. This can include unresolved or painful issues from our past, a job that we’ve outgrown, disruptive family dynamics, and tumultuous relationships. Our priority needs to be ourselves, and that action alone can begin to ease symptoms. Mind-body issues can present in the following ways.

• Chronic stress, burnout, and anxiety
• Unexplained or persistent physical symptoms (headaches, gut issues, pain)
• Feeling disconnected from body or emotions
• Struggles with self-care and boundary-setting
• Feeling stuck or blocked
• Out of touch with intuition

If you are overwhelmed by conflicting health advice and are seeking a more holistic approach but are unsure where to start, a mind-body consultation may be right for you.

There is a common misperception that a woman’s value decreases as physical fertility wanes, but we know this isn’t true. Often, we have become so busy looking after everyone else that we haven’t stopped to consider what comes next. Pausing to consider the next call to action, wild adventure, and reinvented self makes space for creative fertility to flourish. Exploring the possibilities and workshopping logistics is a great place to start if you are experiencing any of the following.

• Grieving the end of fertility (whether by choice, circumstance, or medical reasons)
• Identity shifts after reproductive years
• Navigating societal expectations and personal emotions around being childfree
• Feeling the weight of perceived obligations
• Caring for elderly or unwell parents
• Concerns about long-term health and vitality post-fertility
• Relationship strain due to changing life plans
• Looking for a renewed sense of purpose and direction
• Struggling to give yourself permission

Intimate relationships are often affected during menopause due to physical changes, mental challenges and psychological transitions. Many people don’t know where to start to address the issues, and it can feel overwhelming. Talking it through with an understanding doctor, either alone or as a couple, is a safe place to start. Identifying which aspects have the most significant impact helps prioritise the goals and might include the following.

• Changes in libido and intimacy concerns
• Vaginal dryness and pain or discomfort during sex
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Body image issues and self-confidence
• Difficulty communicating the intimate changes associated with menopause
• Relationship challenges due to changes in sexual function
• The changing landscape of sexuality
• Wanting to rediscover pleasure and passion