Go complementary
If you’re struggling with hot flushes try hypnosis treatment, research has found that it could reduce hot flushes by as much as 74 per cent. Women using hypnotherapy also said they slept better, too. Experts think it might boost the function of your parasympathetic nervous system, which plays a part in hot flushes.
Hot drinks, spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine could all contribute to menopausal symptoms. Write down everything you eat and drink, along with your symptoms for a week or two. You may notice that you experience a bout of hot flushes after your morning coffee, or experience night sweats after a glass of wine with dinner. You could then try tweaking your diet to see if it makes a difference.
Lose weight
If you’re overweight, dropping a few pounds could make a big difference to how much you suffer during the menopause. Researchers found that women with a higher body mass index (over 25) were more likely to experience hot flushes and other symptoms. But when they lost weight by following a healthy diet plan, they had fewer hot flushes and found them easier to cope with.
Eat a healthy balanced diet
Many foods have been touted as menopause cures – but there is limited evidence to support most of them. That said, a healthy diet could really help. Not only will it help you avoid post-menopausal weight gain, but if your diet is rich in calcium, low in fat, full of wholegrains, fresh fruit and veg, lean meats and oily fish, it could help to reduce your risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and even some cancers, all more common after menopause.