Many people ask whether stress can bring on an early menopause. Generally, it is thought that high levels of stress can cause women to experience symptoms similar to menopause due to increased cortisol levels, but that it doesn't actually induce menopause. "Stress is a symptom of life, and often more so at this stage of life," says Dr Heather Currie, chair elect of the British Menopause Society and founder of Menopause Matters. "The difference with stress around the menopause, when hormone levels are changing, is how we deal with the stress and that the changes and symptoms of hormonal changes can then lead to stress". I am 45 years old and around December 17 (infact just after my 45 birthday) started perimenopausal symptoms. I am still having my periods (albeit most short and usually non heavy but with clotting over the last 2 months: However, there are still many myths out there that make the thought of menopause far scarier than it needs to be. Sometimes it can be hard to determine whether a missed period is due to approaching menopause or a stressful lifestyle. We look at how both these factors influence the menstrual cycle and discuss what you should do if you are affected. They can suggest ways to manage symptoms, perhaps with medications or creams,’ continues Valentina, who also recommends consulting a pelvic health physiotherapist.

Women who follow an Asian diet, in which soy beans are a staple, report few, if any, menopausal symptoms. One reason is that their intake of isoflavone plant hormones is around fifty times higher than in the West. These isoflavones provide a natural oestrogen boost to reduce hot flushes, have a beneficial effect on cholesterol balance and memory, and can help with menopausal sleep disturbances such as insomnia.

And with modern life spans, we could have decades left to do whatever we want. How do you want the rest of your life to be? Dream big!’ More Healthista Content: For example, risks from HRT are higher if you’re overweight and drink and data is showing this is linked to even moderate drinking (so two units a day, 14 units a week) increases the risk significantly of breast cancer – more than the actual risk of HRT. It's natural to want to find a solution to the symptoms you're experiencing, and many in the medical profession see HRT as a solution for all symptoms of menopause. However, HRT does have its pros and cons, and there are natural alternatives to consider. The pros and cons of HRT

If low libido is causing problems within your relationship, talk to your doctor,’ suggests Dr Brewer. Around 75% of menopausal women experience hot flushes, and research has shown a significant reduction in their severity and frequency from taking 400IU of vitamin E per day. The same dose of vitamin E has also been shown to help reduce vaginal dryness. Good food sources include avocados, seed oils, nuts, leafy green vegetables, whole grains and wheat germ. If you opt for a vitamin E supplement, look for one that contains d-alpha-tocopherol, as this is better absorbed. Omega-3 essential fatty acids St John's wort extracts lift mood by prolonging the action of a wide range of neurotransmitters in the brain including serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and L-glutamate to even out mood swings. 12Our vegetarian menopause tablets are ideal for women who are looking for nutritional support to help them deal with the wide-ranging changes that occur through the menopause. There is a delicate balance of hormones within a woman's body. As your hormones change during perimenopause, the balance of chemicals within the body changes, which triggers certain responses in the brain as the body naturally adjusts. This can bring on physical as well as emotional symptoms, which vary in nature depending on your particular chemical makeup. This isn’t true,’ stresses Dr Anne Henderson, Consultant Gynaecologist, BMS-accredited Menopause Specialist and Director of The Amara Clinic.