menopause

(image: Alison Bladh/ Chocolate PR)

An award winning nutritionist and beauty therapist who’s helped hundreds of women globally to navigate menopause with wellness in mind is celebrating having climbed the Amazon book charts to become a No.1 Bestselling author, outperforming the likes of Davina McCall, Lisa Snowdon and Dr Louise Newson, with new Menopause manual –‘Have a Magnificent Menopause: A Straightforward Guide to Looking Good and Feeling Great’

Alison Bladh, 56, who is also a clinical supervisor for Nutritional Therapy at the University of West London, splits her time between the UK and Sweden was excited to see the book reach the top 30 bestselling books overall on Amazon Sweden across all genres including fiction and non-fiction, one of the only health titles to break the coveted Top 50, highlighting the demand for evidence-based, practical menopause support.

Offering women over 40 a no nonsense guide to thriving through perimenopause, menopause and beyond with or without Hormone Replacement Therapy, this straight-talking manual is already being praised as “a breath of fresh air in the menopause space”, and described as “like having a wise best friend, nutritionist and beauty therapist rolled into one.”

Sharing practical guides, check lists and real women’s stories alongside clinical research and scientific studies, Alison’s mission is simple – to help women over 40 take back control of their bodies, rediscover their energy, and feel confident and empowered in their skin again, after researching menopause became a passion of hers, having witnessed her mother suffer in silence at a time when the topic was taboo.

“Menopause, though more openly discussed in some countries today, is still stigmatised as something negative”, she said. “Growing up in a strict British household, I remember watching my mother and the women around her, all navigating perimenopause, suffering through what was then simply referred to as “The Change”. Nobody talked about it. It was shrouded in silences, misconceptions and misinformation.”

“While things are improving slowly in some parts of the world, this isn’t the case everywhere and there’s still a lot of work to be done. Women deserve knowledge, support and care during this natural stage of life. Menopause isn’t about fading into the background or becoming less relevant. It’s about stepping into a new kind of power, one where experience, wisdom and purpose shape the next chapter of our lives in ways that extend far beyond motherhood.”

The book tackles common challenges, everything from fatigue, brain fog and weight gain to confidence, skincare and mindset, helping women feel vibrant and in control at every stage of life. The tone is supportive and straight talking, cutting through confusing advice and adresses “menowashing” to deliver clear, evidence based solutions that work.

“Menopause is not something to ‘get through’ it is a wake up call to start putting yourself first” she says. “You deserve to feel in control, strong and beautiful and this starts with understanding your body and taking small yet powerful steps each day”.

“Have a Magnificent Menopause: A Straightforward Guide to Looking Good and Feeling Great” will resonate with any woman who has ever stood in front of the mirror wondering where she went and is now ready to find her again”, she added.

(image: Alison Bladh/ Chocolate PR)

Here she shares 5 practical tips from the book to help women start feeling better today:

Alison’s Top Tips for ‘Thriving, Not Just Surviving’

1. Follow the 90/10 Rule
Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean restriction or perfection. The 90/10 rule is about nourishing your body with supportive foods 90% of the time like protein, healthy fats, fibre, leafy greens and slow-release carbs while still leaving room for 10% of the treats that make life enjoyable. Whether it’s a slice of cake with friends or a glass of wine on a special occasion, this balanced approach helps women stay consistent without guilt. It’s realistic, sustainable and removes the all-or-nothing mindset that often leads to frustration. Eating well should be empowering, not punishing.

2. Start the Day with Protein, Not Caffeine
Reaching for a coffee first thing in the morning might feel like second nature, but it can actually spike your cortisol and send your blood sugar on a rollercoaster. Instead, start your day with 20–30 grams of protein to support hormone balance, energy, focus and mood. A protein-rich breakfast such as eggs, Greek yoghurt, tofu scramble or a protein smoothie helps stabilise your blood sugar, reduces mid-morning crashes, and keeps cravings at bay. This small shift can make a big difference to how you feel all day long.

3. Keep a Cooling Toolkit in Your Bag
Hot flushes and sudden temperature spikes can be distressing, especially in public. That’s why I always recommend keeping a “cooling toolkit” with you. This might include a peppermint facial mist, a mini hand fan, cooling wipes, or essential oil rollers (peppermint or lavender work well). Having something to soothe and cool you down helps you manage symptoms discreetly and confidently. It’s a small act of self-care that reinforces one important truth: you are not powerless, you are prepared.

4. Digital Declutter for Hormonal Health
Our devices might keep us connected, but they can also wreak havoc on our hormones. Constant notifications, social media scrolling and screen time raise cortisol levels, interfere with melatonin production and contribute to stress and poor sleep, all of which worsen menopausal symptoms. A daily digital break, even just 20–30 minutes, can calm the nervous system, ease anxiety, and support better emotional balance. Turn off the noise, step away from the screen, and reclaim some stillness. It’s one of the simplest ways to feel more grounded.

5. Swap Wine O’Clock for Magnesium Time
It’s tempting to unwind with a glass of wine at the end of a long day but alcohol can disrupt sleep, trigger hot flushes and make anxiety worse. Instead, create a relaxing evening ritual with magnesium. A warm magnesium-rich drink or a magnesium supplement can help soothe your nervous system, relax tense muscles and prepare your body for restful sleep. It’s a healthier wind-down option that supports hormonal balance and helps you wake up feeling restored instead of groggy. You’re still prioritising yourself just without the hormonal backlash.

For more tips see https://www.alisonbladh.com/book

(image: butterbeliever.com)

For many women, menopause can be both a blessing and a curse. Although it signals the end of menstruation, it also means that a woman is no longer reproductive and that the aging process has well and truly begun.

Menopause starts when a woman’s ovaries no longer release eggs, causing their monthly periods to stop. If you have not had a period for 12 months, this probably means you are going through menopause.

About menopausal anxiety and panic attacks

Menopause can give rise to anxiety and panic attacks, and the symptoms can manifest in a variety of ways. Often, you will feel your heart racing, and you will start to sweat. You may also feel a quickness of breath. In addition, there may be some tingling or numbness in your fingers. You could also feel dizzy, although you won’t pass out during an anxiety attack due to the high levels of adrenaline – you will just have to wait for the episode to come to an end.

Experts have advised that you can overcome anxiety and panic by focusing your attention on something else, such as a sound or a smell.

Besides anxiety and panic attacks, what are the symptoms of menopause? Here are the most common:

Brittle hair
Dry skin
Irritability
Lack of energy
Mood swings
Lack of or reduced libido
Hot flushes
Night sweats
Incontinence
Palpitations
Dry vagina
Sore or tender breasts
Weight gain

How to reduce your menopausal symptoms

While some of these symptoms may be unavoidable, you can reduce their effect by taking good care of yourself. Consider the following tips.

Eat nutritious foods that won’t trigger your symptoms

Make sure you eat lots of green vegetables, dairy products, and foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. Meanwhile, you should avoid spicy and sugary foods and anything that contains caffeine or alcohol. One helpful tip is to compile a list of any foods that seem to trigger your menopausal symptoms.

Maintain a regular exercise schedule while keeping yourself hydrated

Another adverse side effect of menopause is weight gain, although you can offset this by exercising regularly. The benefits of physical activities include:

A boost to your energy levels and metabolism
Healthier bones and joints
A reduction in stress

Exercise can also help you fight off anxiety and depression. This is due to the endorphins released by your brain during a physical workout.

Meanwhile, make sure you drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of water every day, as this will reduce your skin and vaginal dryness. Moreover, this simple lifestyle change can also reduce any bloated feelings you may be experiencing due to hormonal changes. As an added bonus, drinking lots of water can also improve your metabolism.

Take sugar in moderation

Foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates can cause depression and poor bone density. They can also cause your blood sugar levels to fluctuate, which can make you feel tired and irritable.

Go out on a regular basis

Staying indoors for too long is not good for your mental health and may even aggravate your menopausal symptoms. As well as the benefit of absorbing vitamin D from the sun, an outdoor stroll can also reduce your stress levels.

Ensure you eat regular meals

Skipping meals is not a permanent weight loss solution and can exacerbate your menopausal symptoms. It is much better to eat your meals at regular intervals, as this will help you avoid any metabolism problems.

Conclusion

Although menopause is an unavoidable inconvenience, you don’t have to let it bother you. In fact, if you adopt the natural methods outlined above, you will be able to live life to the full without having to worry about the annoying symptoms.

This article was written by LadyCare Menopause Ltd.