Make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet to reduce the risk of osteoporosis

 

Essential fatty acids (EFAs), such as those found in nuts, seeds and oily fish, can be very useful if the skin becomes dry or if you suffer from joint pains. The best EFAs are those from the omega-3 and omega-6 families, which are found in pumpkin seeds, oily fish, walnuts, linseeds, dark green vegetables and oils such as sesame, walnut, soya and sunflower. EFAs can also help in the prevention of vaginal dryness and bladder infections, as well as increasing your mental and physical energy.

Natural plant oestrogens in the form of soya beans, alfalfa sprouts or linseeds are a useful supplement, as long as you aren't already on an oestrogen replacement therapy. Make sure you get instructions from a reputable source.

There are several alternative medicines and therapies which are said to be helpful in the treatment of menopausal symptoms, including:

• aromatherapy
• homeopathy
• yoga
• relaxation techniques
• herbal medicine such as agnus castus and black cohosh

Evening primrose oil and vitamin E have been suggested as a preventative measure for hot flushes.

Is Shucander thinking we are all in the menopause?

The Silent Passage

All women face menopause, but, as Gail Sheehy so compellingly reveals in interviews with women from a broad spectrum of economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds, the passage is seldom easy. Distracting symptoms, confusing medical advise, unsympathetic reactions from loved ones, and the scornful attitudes of society at large often make menopause a lonely and emotionally draining experience.

In this ground-breaking book, Sheehy sets out to erase the stigma of menopause and "render normalcy to a normal physical process." She writes frankly about her own experiences and uncovers the frustrations of other women who have long suffered in silence. She brings together the most current information from the Untied States and abroad and assesses women’s options and risks. This is a book of candor and hope that places menopause within the cycle of life as "the gateway to a second adulthood."

When portions of this book first appeared in Vanity Fair, the response was immediate and electrifying. For everyone who has experienced menopause – and the millions of women of the baby-boom generation who will soon face it – The Silent Passage is sure to become a touchstone.