The terms progesterone and progestogen are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. All progesterone is a progestogen, but not all progestogens are progesterone.

When women think about their heart health, they often focus on cholesterol, blood pressure, weight or blood sugar levels. However, there is another important cardiovascular risk factor that is rarely discussed yet may become increasingly relevant during perimenopause and menopause: Lipoprotein(a), often referred to as Lp(a).

Longevity is often defined as living a long life, but modern health science has expanded this definition significantly. Today, longevity is no longer just about adding years to life, it’s about adding quality of life to years. Researchers increasingly focus on healthy longevity, which refers to maintaining physical, cognitive, emotional, and social wellbeing throughout the lifespan.

If you’re constantly exhausted despite getting enough sleep, you’re not alone. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms experienced during perimenopause and menopause, affecting up to half of women during the menopause transition. While many assume it’s simply part of ageing, hormonal changes often play a significant role.

Many women experiencing perimenopause and menopause reach for coffee to increase alertness and combat fatigue, but caffeine may actually be contributing to the very sleep problems that leave them feeling exhausted.

Menopause can accelerate the loss of muscle strength and function. Discover why grip strength is an important predictor of healthy ageing, mobility, bone health and independence for women over 40.

In 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) dramatically changed how doctors and women thought about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also known more recently as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT).

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) is a traditional Ayurvedic herb long used to support female reproductive health. Often called the ‘Queen of Herbs’, it has historically been used to help women maintain hormonal balance and vitality during periods of hormonal change such as perimenopause and menopause. Modern research is now investigating standardised extracts such as SRI‑81 to better understand their potential role in supporting women during the menopause transition.

ERr 731 is a standardised extract taken from the root of Rheum rhaponticum, also known as rhapontic rhubarb or Siberian rhubarb. It is a non‑hormonal, plant‑based option used to help relieve menopausal symptoms, particularly during perimenopause and early postmenopause. Unlike conventional menopausal hormone therapy, ERr 731 does not supply hormones.

Vitex has been traditionally used for centuries to support female hormonal health and may help ease symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes and sleep disturbances.

Supporting women through the menopause transition involves addressing symptoms while also helping the body adapt to the underlying hormonal changes. One natural medicine gaining attention in clinical research is Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), particularly a standardised root extract known as KSM‑66®.

Saffron, the vibrant spice derived from the flower Crocus sativus, has long been valued in traditional medicine for its mood‑supporting and health‑promoting properties. In recent years, clinical research has begun to investigate its potential benefits for women experiencing symptoms during the menopause transition. One standardised Saffron extract known as affron® has been studied for its effects on mood, anxiety and menopausal symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats and physical discomfort.

Many women notice that recommendations for prescription medications increase during their 40s and 50s for symptoms such as low mood, anxiety, sleep disturbance, reflux, high cholesterol or rising blood pressure. While medications can play a role managing symptoms and protecting health, they frequently address individual outcomes rather than taking into consideration the broader hormonal transition occurring at the same time.

Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT), also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), can help reduce menopausal symptoms by replacing oestrogen (oestradiol) and sometimes progesterone which naturally decline during the menopause transition. There are two main types of MHT: body-identical (natural) and non-body-identical (synthetic).

Surgical menopause occurs when both ovaries are removed before the natural age of menopause (around 51 years). This surgery is called a bilateral oophorectomy and may be performed to treat conditions such as endometriosis or persistent pelvic pain, to manage certain gynaecological cancers or to reduce cancer risk in women who carry genetic mutations like the BRCA gene or Lynch Syndrome.

Premature Ovarian Insufficiency or POI occurs when the ovaries slow down or stop producing hormones before the age of 40. It affects around 1 in 100 women and can happen naturally or as a result of medical treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery involving the ovaries.

Is perimenopause the beginning of the end, or the start of something new? The answer depends on perspective and how you’re feeling during this transition.

Antibiotics are powerful medications that help treat bacterial infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria.

In recent years, Ozempic has gained significant attention as a treatment for both type 2 diabetes and weight loss.

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. Despite its size, it plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, energy production and overall hormonal balance.