A WEEK THAT REMINDED ME WHO I AM NOW
Why midlife can be less about doing more, and more about understanding what actually works for you.
I've finally admitted something to myself.
I don't want to be out late anymore.
Give me a lovely morning, a busy daytime, a nice early evening, and then I'm very happy to go home and get into bed.
Ideally by 10pm.
And honestly? I'm owning it.
Because I've realised how much I value feeling good the next morning, sleeping properly and starting the day with energy rather than trying to recover from the night before. Perhaps that's one of the gifts of getting older.
We become more willing to stop doing things simply because we think we're supposed to enjoy them.
This week had plenty of variety.
There was a crowded train journey home, a full clinic day with women at very different stages of their menopause journeys, time with a friend who once encouraged me to explore my own ADHD, and a lovely family weekend that included finally doing the open-top bus tour around Liverpool.
And through all of it, one thing kept coming back to me.
Different people need different things.
That is as true in life as it is in menopause care.
Jackie
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WHY PERSONALISED MENOPAUSE SUPPORT MATTERS
One of the things I love most about clinic work is that no two women need exactly the same support.
One of the things I love most about clinic work is that no two women need exactly the same support.
Sometimes coaching is appropriate.
Sometimes acupuncture.
Sometimes we need to look at nutrition, testing, sleep, stress, movement or nervous system regulation.
Sometimes a woman simply needs help making sense of what is happening.
That is exactly how it should be.
Menopause is not one-size-fits-all.
Your symptoms, health history, lifestyle, preferences and priorities all matter.
The goal isn't to squeeze every woman into the same plan.
It's to understand you.
A NEW HRT OPTION TO WATCH
There has also been an interesting development in HRT this year.
Evorel Gel is a new prescription-only estradiol gel containing 500 micrograms of estradiol per actuation. It has now been added to the list of medicines covered by the NHS HRT Prescription Prepayment Certificate in England.
Many women will already know the Evorel name from oestrogen patches, so another licensed transdermal option potentially gives prescribers and women more choice.
And choice matters.
Finding the most appropriate type, route and dose of HRT can sometimes take time.
I cannot yet confirm that Evorel Gel is routinely available from UK pharmacies, so for now I'd consider this a watch-this-space development.
As always, HRT decisions should be made with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
TIP OF THE WEEK: DO YOU ACTUALLY NEED ELECTROLYTES?
Electrolyte drinks are everywhere at the moment.
And because hydration is important during menopause, it's easy to assume:
"I'm menopausal, therefore I need electrolytes."
Not necessarily.
For most everyday situations, water and a balanced diet are enough to support normal hydration. NHS guidance recommends drinking regularly and increasing fluids when you're physically active, in hot environments or unwell.
Electrolyte replacement becomes more relevant when you're losing larger amounts of fluid and salts, for example through vomiting, diarrhoea or significant sweating.
So if you experience substantial night sweats or are exercising hard in hot weather, hydration deserves attention.
But electrolyte supplements are not automatically a menopause treatment.
Before buying another hydration product, ask:
"What am I actually trying to replace?"
Start with the basics.
Drink regularly.
Notice your thirst.
Aim for pale yellow urine.
Increase fluids when you're sweating more than usual.
Simple doesn't mean ineffective.
WHERE TO START
If you’re feeling confused, overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, support starts with understanding your individual picture.
You can begin with:
- Readiness & Symptom Snapshot
- Menopause Check-In (15 minutes)
- Menopause MOT
- The Menopause Vitality Reset
FINAL THOUGHT
This week reminded me that one of the most valuable things midlife gives us is self-knowledge.
Knowing when we need support.
Knowing when we need more information.
Knowing which tools help us.
Knowing when to slow down.
And knowing that we'd much rather be tucked up in bed than sitting in a bar at 10.30pm.
Looking after yourself isn't about following somebody else's perfect health routine.
It's about understanding your own body and building a life that helps you feel well enough to enjoy it.
And right now?
Mine includes a really good night's sleep.
With you,
Jackie
Menopause Health Specialist
Creator of The Menopause Vitality Reset
