AN ORDINARY WEEK, AND THAT'S ABSOLUTELY FINE
What new dementia research tells us about menopause, HRT and looking after our long-term health
This week hasn't involved a glamorous trip, a big launch or anything particularly dramatic.
And actually, I've decided that's rather lovely.
It was simply a good, normal wee
Clinic was busy with Menopause Check-Ins, Menopause MOTs and conversations with women trying to understand what's happening in their bodies and what their next steps might be.
I also deliberately made time for me.
A couple of treatments. Time to stop. Time to be looked after rather than always being the person doing the looking after.
Then the weekend was about friends and family.
Proper friends.
The people you can belly laugh with, talk things through with and don't have to perform for.
It felt balanced.
And perhaps that's worth celebrating, because our health isn't only created during the weeks when we're doing everything perfectly.
It's built during ordinary Tuesdays.
A decent meal. A walk. Going to bed when you're tired.
A conversation with someone you love.
Those things aren't particularly Instagrammable.
But they matter.
Jackie
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE PDF
If this feels familiar, you can download a free PDF with more information and practical next steps.
HRT AND DEMENTIA: WHAT DID THE NEW RESEARCH FIND?
There's some genuinely interesting menopause research I've been saving to share.
There's some genuinely interesting menopause research I've been saving to share.
A large UK study looked at 183,450 postmenopausal women, following them for an average of more than 13 years.
Researchers found that women who had used HRT for at least a year had around a 10% lower rate of all-cause dementia compared with women who had never used it or had used it for less than a year.
The association was stronger in some groups, including women who had experienced surgical menopause. Timing also appeared important, with the strongest association seen when HRT was started between ages 46 and 56.
But this next bit is incredibly important...
...THIS DOES NOT PROVE THAT HRT PREVENTS DEMENTIA.
It was an observational study.
Researchers found an association, not cause and effect. Other differences between women who use HRT and those who don't may also influence dementia risk.
So I'm not turning this into a sensational headline.
What I do think it reinforces is the importance of looking beyond:
“How do we stop the hot flushes?”
Menopause is also a conversation about women's long-term health, and brain health belongs within that.
HRT decisions should always remain individual, taking into account your health history, symptoms, risks and preferences.
MENOPAUSE AT WORK IS CHANGING TOO
There's another significant development this week.
The world's first International Standard specifically addressing menstruation and menopause in the workplace, ISO 45010, has now been launched.
It provides guidance around areas including workplace culture, policies, manager awareness and training, workplace design and practical adjustments.
This matters because menopause support at work needs to be more than a poster during Menopause Awareness Month.
Women should be able to continue contributing and progressing without feeling they have to hide what they're experiencing.
TIP OF THE WEEK: DO ONE THING YOUR FUTURE BRAIN WILL THANK YOU FOR
All this talk about dementia can feel frightening.
That's not what I want you to take away.
Instead, think about what's already within your influence.
Move your body.
Use your muscles.
Eat nourishing food.
Include omega-3-rich foods such as oily fish if appropriate for you.
Prioritise sleep.
Stay socially connected. Keep learning.
Look after your cardiovascular and metabolic health.
You don't need to tackle everything.
Choose one thing.
Small actions repeated over years matter.
FINAL THOUGHT
Most of our lives happen between the big moments.
And actually, that's where most of our health happens too.
This week I worked. I helped women. I looked after myself. I spent time with family. I laughed with good friends. I rested. Nothing extraordinary.
But perhaps life doesn't need to be extraordinary every week to be a really good one.
Sometimes feeling well, being surrounded by people you love and doing work that matters is more than enough.
With you,
Jackie
Menopause Health Specialist
Creator of The Menopause Vitality Reset
