Love is in the air. Happy Valentine’s Day to you! I hope you treat yourself to some amazing treats to take care of yourself. In the spirit of self-love and body acceptance, this gift guide is intended to help people going through perimenopause and menopause. It can be a dark journey (with over 30 different symptoms to battle) and I hope these ideas can help you support those affected in your life, or even help you cope. I haven’t tried most of them myself (I will say if I have), so please do some research before investing in any products or services.
How about a spa break? Using things from acupressure to phytohormones and more to combat the side effects of menopause and allow women to enjoy their well-being holistically. Spabreaks.com offers some of the best spa breaks for menopausal women. Spa Breaks.com has 27 different listings that offer this service. Gift vouchers are available if you are unsure which would be best. I know this treatment is on my list for 2024.
Earlier this year, Charlotte Blackler launched the UK’s first food range specifically designed to incorporate plant-based estrogens to provide women with natural relief from the unwanted symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. A diet rich in plant estrogens can help maintain balance between the fluctuating hormone levels of perimenopause and menopause. The Mena Pause Shop offers subscription services and bundles of their products to support women by providing them with delicious on-the-go options that they could easily fit into a busy lifestyle. If you’re opposed to hormone replacement therapy, these foods might help.
You may remember that in 2022 I reviewed the Forth Perimenopause test and found it very informative. I was able to take my results (shown above) to my doctor, which prompted him to order a hormonal blood test via the NHS. Although the blood collection from the home kits is not as good as that done with a phlebotomist, I liked how the Forth test kits allow you to submit samples based on your menstrual cycle, rather than ‘a random day/time like the NHS. Your results will be included in a comprehensive hormonal report.
One of the hardest things I’ve experienced in recent years has been poor quality sleep. For a while, I blamed Maple for waking up multiple times a night (and then sleeping on the floor with her). I’ve tried pillow sprays, scented candles, essential oils and haven’t found a way to improve my sleep. While researching this gift guide, Earth’s Secret Sleep supplements caught my eye. These are formulated to help perimenopausal women sleep more easily. For most women, menopause occurs when your estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate rapidly before finally dropping. These hormones play a key role in regulating your energy levels. This fluctuation leaves you exhausted with low energy levels and can also lead to other symptoms that may interfere with your quality of life. Anxiety, depression, hot flashes, night sweats, and frequent urination can also disrupt your sleep or prevent you from sleeping and only exacerbate your fatigue and harm your mood. Earth’s Secret Sleep Complex has been formulated to provide the necessary rest our bodies need to function properly. Saffron, a rich Indian spice, and other sleep-inducing herbs are used to improve the quality of your sleep. It is also associated with the power of tart cherry, passionflower, lavender and chamomile. This may be another product I need to try (although marathon training has helped me sleep well over the past few months).
In the research I’ve done on weight gain and exercise training during menopause to feel fit and healthy again, the answer seems to be lifting heavy weights. Therefore, working with a knowledgeable personal trainer can make all the difference. Invest in coaching with my friend Elle, menopause coach and personal trainer. She recently earned a menopause coaching certification and now offers a three-month coaching subscription that can make a great gift.
For me, one of the most difficult aspects of perimenopause has been incontinence. It took me a long time (and a lot of pants) to find period panties that fit my incontinence at work and during exercise. Cheeky Wipes is a brand I only recently discovered and haven’t tried yet. They offer period panties, cloth pads and incontinence products. Pants and pads can help manage leaks, floods and clots in a discreet and comfortable way. Whether you prefer pants or pads is a personal preference. I prefer pants for incontinence and sanitary pads for my period.
These are just a few suggestions to help you (or a friend) through this change. With so many symptoms, each person experiences something different and needs help in a different way. I’ve posted some of my coping mechanisms here and would love for you to leave a comment below with other products, services and tips you have to survive this transition period.