Menopausal Health – making a distinction with Lifestyle Medicine

Lifestyle Medicine encompasses six pillars of non-pharmacological interventions, which may assist long-term well being. These interventions are:

1. Healthy consuming
2. Physical exercise
3. Mental wellbeing
4. Avoidance of dangerous substances
5. Restorative sleep
6. Healthy relationships

Menopause impacts everyone- whether or not you your self immediately or not directly as a result of results on members of the family, buddies, colleagues and sufferers.  It is implausible that the menopause is changing into higher understood in our society and a spotlight for scientific analysis.  World Menopause Day is a chance to boost consciousness of menopause and for us to suppose individually and collectively what we are able to do to assist folks by this life stage.

Lifestyle Medicine was additionally the theme of the latest Menopause Staff Support Group dialogue this week. The Group meets usually to assist colleagues within the Trust who’re affected by menopause Menopause Staff Support Group

Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Sophie Behrman stated:

“18 October recognises World Menopause Day, this yr the theme is Lifestyle Medicine. Lifestyle Medicine affords a robust, evidence-based method in direction of well being, together with serving to these going by menopause. Looking at small achievable modifications that may enhance our eating regimen, how properly we sleep, {our relationships} and different elements can considerably enhance wellbeing, have a optimistic affect on psychological well being, scale back menopausal signs and have added long run bodily well being advantages.

“Supporting women through this life stage, where many changes take place, is important. Raising awareness of the positives of Lifestyle Medicine will hopefully help those who may feel overwhelmed or vulnerable.”

For most ladies, signs of menopause are gentle however for some they are often extra troublesome.  Recent research have proven how the mind modifications by menopause and the rewiring, or “grandmother upgrade” probably carries important evolutionary benefit- it isn’t a shock that individuals might have some psychological or cognitive signs whereas this renovation is underway.  We additionally know that post-menopausal girls are happier than youthful girls and happier than their youthful selves, so there’s a “happy ending” to sit up for for girls who could also be discovering issues powerful now.

In May 2025, Oxford Health introduced the launch of the Menstrual Health and Menopause Clinic. The clinic is designed to assist sufferers recognized to Secondary Care Mental Health Services the place there’s an interaction between their psychological well being and the menstrual cycle or menopause.

Referrals are accepted from sufferers who’re being seen by the Trust’s Secondary Mental Health Teams, assessments could also be supplied to sufferers being seen by Oxfordshire Mental Health Teams. For referrals or additional info, please contact: menopause.clinic@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk.

Further info on the clinic discovered at Oxford Health: Menopause and Menstrual Health Clinic — Oxfordshire.

For pressing psychological well being recommendation, go to NHS: Urgent help for mental health