Menopause Awareness

Menopause: Your Second Spring

Menopause. For some, just the word can spark a mix of emotions — curiosity, worry, even relief. But here’s the truth: it’s a completely natural, normal part of life. It’s not something to fear, but something to understand — and even embrace as a new season of possibility.

What’s Actually Happening in Your Body?

As we approach menopause, our ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen and progesterone. These are the hormones that regulate our menstrual cycle, but they also influence our skin, bones, mood, and even how our body manages temperature.

What many women don’t realise is that this shift actually begins much earlier than the final cycle. From around the age of 35, our hormone levels naturally start to decline. This gentle tapering continues for around 20 years if undisturbed — and this stage is known as perimenopause. It’s during this time that cycles can become irregular, moods may shift, and subtle changes in skin, energy, and sleep appear.

Eventually, hormone levels fall low enough that ovulation stops and periods cease altogether — one year without menstruation marks the official arrival of menopause.

The Common Signs & Symptoms

Every woman’s experience is unique, but some of the most common changes include:

• Hot flushes or night sweats
• Mood swings or heightened anxiety
• Trouble sleeping
• Vaginal dryness
• Weight gain (especially around the waist)
• Memory lapses or brain fog
• Aching joints or loss of bone density

Some women sail through with barely a symptom, while others find it more challenging — both are completely normal.

How Do You Know You’re in Menopause?

If your cycles are changing and you’re feeling different, you may already suspect it. But doctors can also run a menopause test.

Here’s what happens: you sit quietly for about 20 minutes before a simple blood test. This helps ensure accurate readings. The test checks for:

• FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone): High levels suggest your ovaries are slowing down.
• Oestrogen: Usually lower in menopause.
• Sometimes your doctor may check thyroid and cortisol too, just to rule out other causes.

Nourish Yourself With the Right Foods

Food can be a friend (or foe) during this transition.

✨ Helpful foods:

• Phytoestrogens (soy, flaxseeds, chickpeas) can gently support hormone balance.
• Protein to preserve lean muscle and keep energy stable.
• Calcium + Vitamin D for strong bones (think leafy greens, almonds, sardines, fortified plant milks).
• Plenty of fibre and water to help digestion and manage weight.

🚫 Foods to ease back on:

• Caffeine and alcohol (they can trigger hot flushes and disturb sleep).
• Sugary or highly processed foods (they can spike moods and energy crashes).
• Excess salt (linked to bloating and bone loss).

Supplements to Support You✨

Sometimes diet alone isn’t enough to meet the body’s needs during menopause. This is where targeted supplements can play a vital role.

• Brilliance Bovine Collagen: As oestrogen declines, collagen levels naturally drop too — leading to changes in skin elasticity, joint comfort, and even bone density. A high-quality collagen supplement, like Brilliance, helps maintain skin health, supports strong bones, and keeps your connective tissues resilient.
• Divine Woman: Specifically designed with women in mind, this formula combines medicinal mushrooms and botanical herbs that help balance mood, support energy, and ease common peri menopause and menopausal symptoms. It’s a holistic way to nourish your body from within during this transition.

Supplements aren’t about quick fixes, but about giving your body the extra support it deserves. Choosing clean, bioavailable formulations can make all the difference in how you feel.

Moving Your Body in This Phase

Exercise is one of the most powerful ways to ease symptoms — and keep your body strong.

• Strength training: Protects your bones and metabolism.
• Cardio: Boosts heart health and mood.
• Yoga, Pilates & breathwork: Calm the nervous system and help sleep.
• Walking in nature: Gentle, grounding, and good for the soul.

Supporting Yourself Beyond Food & Fitness

Think of this phase as aholistic reset.

• Protect your sleep: a cool bedroom, less screen time, calming rituals.
• Prioritise stress relief: meditation, journaling, or simply saying “no” more often.
• Stay connected: strong friendships and support networks are deeply protective.
• Consider natural supports: herbs like black cohosh or red clover can help (always with your doctor’s guidance).

Prevention & Long-Term Health

While menopause itself isn’t something to prevent, you can protect your future health by:

• Building strong bones with calcium, vitamin D, and weight-bearing activity.
• Caring for your heart with regular movement and a wholefoods diet.
• Supporting intimacy with natural lubricants or moisturisers if needed.
• Managing hot flushes with cooling tricks like layered clothing and herbal teas.

A TCM Lens: The “Second Spring”

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, menopause isn’t seen as decline — it’s celebrated as your Second Spring. The energy once devoted to reproduction flows back into you, giving space for creativity, wisdom, and personal growth. It’s an opportunity to explore passions, purpose, and self-expression in new ways.

Turning Menopause Into Your Superpower

Menopause is not the end of vitality — it’s the start of a powerful new chapter.

• You know yourself more deeply than ever.
• You’re free from cycles and the unpredictability of fertility.
• You can prioritise your body, your health, your joy.

Instead of resisting change, use this time to step into your strength. Whether it’s starting a new project, deepening relationships, or simply living more authentically, this is your season to shine.

✨Takeaway: Menopause is natural. It’s normal. And it can be your superpower — a reminder that growth, strength, and renewal don’t stop at any age.