Latest news with #Menopause
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
This Diet May Ease Menopause Symptoms, New Study Suggests
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new study has found that a low-fat vegan diet—regardless of how processed the food is—can significantly reduce hot flashes and promote weight loss. The research, conducted by The Menopause Society and published in the journal Menopause, explored how plant-based eating can benefit women in midlife. "This study highlights the potential positive effects of a plant-based diet rich in soy, regardless of the level of processing, in terms of both hot flash and weight management," Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society, said in a statement. "Given these and the other known benefits in terms of lowering heart disease and cancer risk, women in midlife should consider leaning into a plant-based diet." A stock image of a vegan burger with avocado. A stock image of a vegan burger with avocado. Getty Images The study followed existing data that found a plant-based diet can reduce hot flashes, in part by aiding with weight loss. But with many plant-based foods being highly-processed, the Ohio-based society wanted to find out whether the type of food consumed, be it vegan, ultra-processed or animal-based, affected hot flash severity. Participants in the trial were randomly assigned to follow either a low-fat vegan diet supplemented with soybeans or an omnivorous diet under supervision. Both groups reported similar levels of hot flash frequency and severity at the outset. Over a 12-week period, those in the vegan group reported a 92 percent reduction in severe hot flashes. Their average weight loss was 3.6 kilograms, compared to a negligible 0.2 kilogram change in the omnivorous control group. Significantly, the benefits in the vegan group remained consistent whether their food was minimally processed or highly processed, indicating that the critical factor was the source of the food—plant-based versus animal-based—rather than the degree of processing. The findings challenge traditional views that all processed foods are detrimental to health, at least within the context of a vegan diet. For alternative ways to manage hot flashes, Newsweek spoke with Tonie Reincke, M.D., a Texas-based specialist in interventional radiology who has experienced hot flashes firsthand. "Speaking not only as a physician, but also as a woman who has experienced hot flashes, several things that I found helpful to reduce these include layering my clothing to quickly cool down, carrying a portable fan, and drinking ice water throughout the day," Reincke said. "Herbal supplements such as black cohosh and primrose oil may help some women, though results can vary, and hormone replacement therapy is an option under medical supervision." Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about menopause? Let us know via science@ Reference Kahleova, H., Znayenko-Miller, T., Jayaraman, A., Motoa, G., Chiavaroli, L., Holubkov, R., & Barnard, N. D. (2025). Processed foods in the context of a vegan diet, and changes in body weight and severe hot flashes in postmenopausal women: A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Menopause.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
THIS popular diet can reduce post-menopausal hot flashes and other symptoms
Research indicates a vegan diet can significantly alleviate severe hot flashes and promote weight loss in postmenopausal women. A reanalysis of existing data reveals that plant-based foods, even when processed, are more effective than animal-based diets in reducing these symptoms. 'Eat your greens!' might have sounded like nagging once, but turns out Mom was onto something far bigger! Greens are good for health, and the latest research suggests that they could even help women navigate smoothly through menopause. A new analysis published in the journal Menopause suggests that sticking to a certain diet can help with post-menopausal symptoms in women. Postmenopausal symptoms and diet Hot flashes are among the most frequent complaints of women during the menopausal transition. This sudden burst of heat felt in the upper body, often accompanied by sweating and increased heart rate, appears even after menopause. The new analysis found that a vegan diet can significantly reduce severe hot flashes and aid in weight loss for postmenopausal women. Why vegan is bigger and better Previous research has shown that a low-fat vegan diet, specifically one supplemented with soybeans, can reduce body weight and hot flashes. Studies have also shown that diets dense in ultraprocessed foods can lead to increased calorie intake and weight gain compared to those with unprocessed or minimally processed foods. The reason is the higher energy density, meaning they are more calorie-rich for their size. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Ultraprocessed foods are also often high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and sodium, while being low in fiber and other essential nutrients. Menopause: Beyond the cliches - Dr. Nandita Palshetkar uncovers subtle symptoms and how women must self-care However, this new secondary date analysis showed that vegans have added benefits, as this diet not only relieves the postmenopausal symptoms, but also shows the same great results even if highly processed plant-based foods are consumed. A group of researchers reanalyzed existing data to see if the type of food, animal-based or plant-based, influenced how processed food intake affected body weight and hot flashes. The participants of the study were randomly placed on either a low-fat vegan diet with soy or a regular diet including animal products. Both groups started with similar hot flash symptoms. After 12 weeks, the vegan group saw a 92% drop in severe hot flashes, while the control group saw little change. The vegan group also lost an average of 3.6 kg, compared to just 0.2 kg in the control group. The researchers found that whether the food was highly or minimally processed didn't matter as much as whether it was plant or animal-based. The study suggests that plant-based foods may help reduce weight and hot flash severity more effectively, even if processed! What are the experts saying 'This study highlights the potential positive effects of a plant-based diet rich in soy (regardless of the level of processing) in terms of both hot flash and weight management. Given these and the other known benefits in terms of lowering heart disease and cancer risk, women in midlife should consider leaning into a plant-based diet,' Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society, said in a release. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Book details advice for cancer patients to counter 'world full of nutrition misinformation'
Cancer patients face 'a world full of nutrition misinformation', a top dietician has warned as the Irish Cancer Society and University College Cork launch a book to tackle the problem. Treatments such as surgery and radiation therapy can cause early menopause and the symptoms are likely to be harsher and last longer than a natural menopause, according to the HSE. The Irish Cancer Society has now partnered with University College Cork dietitians to create a booklet for patients facing this struggle. Dr Samantha Cushen and Katie Johnston from the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences and Cancer Research at UCC, have co-authored Menopause, Diet & Cancer. Dr Cushen said finding clear nutrition advice is vital. 'For too long, women have been left to piece together guidance from too many - often conflicting - sources,' she said. 'In a world full of nutrition misinformation, this book brings it all together, offering clarity, compassion, and credible answers in one evidence-based guide designed to support, inform, and reassure.' It includes scientific evidence, patients' lived experience, and advice with input from 16 patients. She said trusted advice on diet should be a standard part of care, saying: 'Much more needs to be done to ensure every woman has access. And we are determined to make that a reality.' In Marguerite Herlihy's case, she was shocked to enter sudden menopause aged just 40 after treatment for breast cancer. The mother of three said: 'This experience has been one of the most difficult and unpredictable challenges I've ever faced.' She explained: "The very treatments that are keeping me alive also carry long-term risks to my heart, bones, brain, and other vital organs.' She welcomed the book, saying there is information in it that she wasn't able to find anywhere else. 'This is the first Irish publication that has truly made me feel seen,' she said. 'Not just in terms of my diagnosis, but in the full complexity of what I'm dealing with.' It can be downloaded free from the Irish Cancer Society website. Meanwhile, pharmacy chain Boots on Wednesday announced its 94 stores in Ireland will join the state's free HRT scheme for menopausal women. The chain will share details on how to use HRT prescriptions on the Boots website and in pharmacies from June 1. Read More New breast cancer treatment that avoids chemotherapy saves woman almost €43k in lost income avoided
Cision Canada
24-04-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Science & Humans Launches #NotOurLast Campaign, A Bold National Campaign Demanding Better Menopause Care
With powerful out-of-home ads across Toronto's transit system, Canada's first free Menopause Helpline (Menoline), and a QR-linked symptom quiz, the campaign calls attention to lack of care women receive during perimenopause and menopause and delivers meaningful support to women across the country. MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Science&Humans (S&H), Canada's leading digital platform for hormone health, launches #NotOurLast a bold, nationwide campaign advocating for midlife women's right to proper care, while providing tangible tools, education, and Canada's first menopause helpline. With powerful out-of-home ads across Toronto's transit system, including subways, stations, and streetcars, the campaign tackles the critical gaps in care that leave millions of women misdiagnosed, dismissed, or navigating debilitating symptoms without answers. It's a call to overhaul outdated systems and finally deliver the clinical support midlife women deserve. "They prepared us for our first period. Not our last." "Your mother suffered in silence & she hopes you don't have to." These powerful messages are designed to spark conversation and ignite change. The campaign calls attention to the often-overlooked issue of menopause care. A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight Over 10 million women in Canada are in perimenopause or menopause, yet more than 75% who seek help aren't receiving proper care. Many wait 1 to 3 years for a diagnosis, long enough for symptoms to worsen and serious health risks to grow. Brain fog, anxiety, and mood swings are often brushed off or misdiagnosed, with doctors treating the symptoms, not the cause. Without proper testing, hormonal issues are often mistaken for mental illness and women are left without real answers. A Campaign for Every Woman "At Science & Humans, we see the real impact menopause and perimenopause have—not just on health, but on everyday life," says Dr. Kristy Prouse, Chief Medical Advisor at S&H. "Symptoms like fatigue, hot flashes, and mood changes don't stop when you walk into work or try to enjoy time with family. That's why our care goes beyond prescriptions. Our expert team takes a truly personalized approach, offering both hormonal and non-hormonal options, while guiding lifestyle changes that support long-term well-being. Women deserve nothing less." Backed by this mission, the #NotOurLast campaign is designed to meet women where they are with support that's accessible, practical, and rooted in empathy. The campaign includes: Public Awareness – A bold out-of-home campaign on transit systems across Toronto, designed to bring menopause into the mainstream and spotlight midlife women's health. Action – Access The Ultimate Guide to Perimenopause and Menopause for expert tips. Scan the QR code to take the symptom quiz and get real answers. Book a call through Menoline, Canada's first free menopause support line, to speak with a menopause expert and walk away with a personalized list of questions to bring to your doctor. Expert-Led Care – Led by Dr. Kristy Prouse, Chief Medical Advisor at Science & Humans, our team of women's health experts from across Canada provides personalized, science-backed care that women can trust. With a network of experienced nurse practitioners and clinicians specializing in menopause and women's health, each expert brings a wealth of knowledge and a shared commitment to supporting women through every stage of their menopause journey. Why It Matters for Business and Policy Untreated menopause complications pose a significant economic burden on Canada, with costs ranging from $20,000 to $30,000 per osteoporosis-related fracture and $5,000 to $30,000 for cardiovascular disease treatment. Delays in menopause care also lead to increased healthcare utilization, further straining an already overloaded system. The #NotOurLast campaign offers a science-backed, scalable approach to menopause care, improving women's health while reducing the broader economic impact. About Science & Humans Science & Humans is a Canadian digital health company revolutionizing hormone health care. Specializing in personalized hormone therapy, the company has served over 40,000 patients, making hormone health more accessible with clinical precision and compassionate care. The platform offers comprehensive, science-backed menopause care, combining both hormonal and non-hormonal approaches. By integrating functional and conventional medicine, our expert team of Nurse Practitioners, naturopaths, and dietitians delivers personalized solutions, including hormone therapy, lifestyle modifications, and dietary support for women at every stage of their journey. In addition to hormone care, we proudly launched Canada's first menopausal skincare and hair care line, designed to address the unique challenges of women in midlife. With over 100,000 consultations completed, Science & Humans remains committed to supporting women's well-being, achieving a 97% patient satisfaction rate and earning recognition as a trusted leader in menopause care. SOURCE Science and Humans
Telegraph
20-03-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
The 10 most common questions I'm asked about the menopause
Do you have a question about menopause? Dr Naomi Potter will be on hand to answer questions in the comments from 2pm 'What I love as a menopause doctor is having the opportunity to transform someone's life completely for the better,' says Dr Naomi Potter, a 48-year-old menopause specialist. 'You take a person who feels utterly broken, and you put them back together.'After 16 years working for the NHS, Naomi is now one of the UK's leading menopause experts. She is the founder of the Menopause Care clinic (the UK's largest team of British Menopause Society accredited doctors and specialists) and co-authored the frank and taboo-busting book Menopausing with Davina McCall. She is also a mother of five with three boys and twin girls. Here are the 10 questions she's usually asked – and what she advises 1. Why is my hair getting thinner? Oestrogen affects every system in the body, including hair quality and the way it grows. In the same way that when you're pregnant, you have really noticeable hair changes e.g. its thickness, a massive hair shed. It's all driven by hormones and with menopause, that's the decrease in oestrogen. Yet women are notoriously bad at judging the true extent of hair loss and it's common to feel that it's more dramatic than it actually is. However, with everything related to the menopause, the main rule is that there are no rules. Every woman's experience is different. Some women find that their hair gets better – becoming thicker, glossier and faster growing – at menopause, and others notice a big change during perimenopause, but post menopause things settle, and then they can improve, and then they settle. Hair can also change going from being straight to curly and vice versa during this time. Dr Potter's solutions If hair's gone very dry and brittle, then moisturising shampoos might help, but anything you put on won't really influence the speed of hair growth. And while it's tempting, if you're unhappy with your hair, overtreatment can make it worse so don't just keep going to get it coloured. Make sure there's no other underlying cause – such as vitamin deficiencies, a thyroid imbalance or anaemia. Any significant changes including a receding frontal pattern or totally bald spots need to be investigated. Very slim women, or those restricting calories, may notice more hair loss because as far as your body is concerned hair isn't a priority and it will preserve nutrients for the body instead. So make sure you're eating well and cut back on alcohol. Liver conditions associated with alcoholism can cause endocrine disruption and hair loss. 2. Why am I getting brain fog? Brain fog is a common complaint, and it's a description that encompasses many different symptoms – being forgetful, struggling to find words and not remembering which way you're going, even on familiar routes. It can come and go. Not feeling as sharp or switched on can shatter confidence. Lorraine Candy, the former editor of Elle magazine, described on Dr Potter's podcast Is It Hot In Here, having to put post-it notes all over her wall to remember the most simple facts. She feared she had a brain tumour until her friend Trish Halpin admitted the same thing – and they thought it was unlikely they both had tumours at the same time. Dr Potter's solutions For Lorraine, within days of her trying hormone replacement therapy (HRT), brain fog disappeared. But it's one of those symptoms that is hard to tease out from other life things, is it actually hormones, or the pressures of work, relationships, child rearing or elderly parents? Ask yourself how you felt coping with challenges five years ago – when perhaps you were still sleep-deprived from toddlers? If you felt able to cope better with stress back then, it could well be menopause-related hormones. Think about what in your life is causing sleepless nights. For many women, quite naturally, it has to do with your children and how they're doing. We can feel the need to be in control all the time – but that's just not possible. Sometimes we have to step back and say 'OK this isn't brilliant, but I have to let them get on with it'. It's the same for elderly parents, sometimes we need to let go a bit instead of fretting. It's important to make time every day for yourself – eating properly, getting some exercise (outside, ideally) even a walk around the block counts. Breaking the alcohol/coffee cycle can help too if you're not coping. It's common when people are stressed to drink half a bottle of wine, then not sleep properly and wake feeling anxious and tired and then drink coffee and get caught in a vicious cycle. Stopping both can help. 3. Is menopause weight gain inevitable – and will HRT stop it? Our hormones influence not just metabolism but also how fat is deposited. In fertile years, females classically have a curvy physique, laying down fat on hips, bottoms, breasts and face. With the loss of oestrogen, you change shape, with fat depositing more centrally around the organs. Ageing generally causes fat gain and muscle loss as metabolisms slow down. So while HRT can offer some protection about where you're storing fat, it won't affect general metabolism alas. Dr Potter's solutions You may believe that by restricting what you eat, the weight will come off like it did in your 20s and 30s, but it doesn't always work during menopause. It is important to make sure that you eat well, with plenty of protein, fibre, fruit and veg. The right kind of exercise is also very important, especially strength training that will help grow muscles and boost metabolism. But finding an exercise that makes you sweaty but you actually enjoy is arguably more important to ensure you do it regularly. Be realistic about what you can fit into your life and try and get outdoors. Humans were meant to be outside and it shouldn't be surprising if we're inside all day, we don't feel good! Personally I like running four times a week to clear my head as much as for my body, and no I've never worked out with Davina McCall despite co-writing our book together. She's fiercely fit! Ultimately, it can be helpful to be more self-accepting. Is it that bad if you gain a few pounds? It's inevitable that happens as we age. 4. Why am I so tired? Hormonal changes and oestrogen loss can cause fatigue. But not everybody is affected, and it can get better on its own. Are you tired because you are having menopause symptoms at night, which are disrupting your sleep? Surges in anxiety, night sweats or getting up at night needing a wee (more common in the menopause)will all disrupt sleep making you more tired. Dr Potter's solutions If broken sleep is down to menopause symptoms, HRT would help. But if you're managing nine hours and still exhausted I'd suggest looking for other causes. The reason why multiple loo trips happen is because there are oestrogen receptors all over your urinary tract, so when you lose oestrogen the function and integrity of that system is affected. Bladder irritability (feeling like you need to empty it more frequently) is common, as are UTIs, and your bladder can shrink, so there is just less capacity to hold wee. During the day, avoid having what I call 'just in case' wees, because if you're always emptying your bladder before it's reached its full capacity, you're unwittingly training it to be smaller and get triggered at a lower volume. Ask yourself if you really need to go – chances are if you've had a wee and then a cup of tea in the morning you don't actually need to go an hour later because your bladder volume is much bigger than a cup of tea! 5. Why have I gone off sex? This is a classic complaint and worth remembering that a lot of libido is multifactorial (involving several causes). Hormones – your declining oestrogen and declining testosterone – can definitely play a role. You'll feel less interested in sex, but that's not the only part of the picture. Vaginal symptoms common in the menopause can include soreness, dryness, poor lubrication during sex, and difficulty with arousal. If you've suffered pain while attempting to have sex your body will object to doing something it associates with a previous negative experience. Testosterone declines from your 20s, and some women notice that affects libido more than others. Throw into the mix the stresses of general midlife and the fact you may have been with the same partner for a long time (which naturally becomes unexciting) it's easy to see why libido can crash. However, while less common, some women can suffer from a very high libido, which can cause women serious distress. One of my patients believes her high libido led to her affair, another one had to take herself out of the marital bedroom to pleasure herself, and one lady would have to do so when she was out shopping in Sainsbury's and had to pop to the loo. So it can seriously affect daily life, despite people's inclination to say 'lucky you'. Dr Potter's solutions Lots can be done! Local symptoms (dryness etc) can be very easily treated with lubricants, moisturisers, and topical oestrogen (in gel form used on the skin or inside the vagina) works really well. There's an argument for every menopausal woman being on topical oestrogen because unlike oral oestrogen (HRT which is absorbed into the bloodstream) topical oestrogen is absorbed mainly into the surrounding tissues where it is applied, allowing for targeted treatment of dry, itchy or uncomfortable vaginas. Now, in terms of desire, it's not as straightforward. Replacing oestrogen can help, as can replacing testosterone for some women. We don't have enough data to categorically say how many women should be on testosterone for the therapeutic benefits in the menopause, but there is data suggesting it can help low libidos. There's anecdotal evidence that it helps with more than libido, but equally, there's data suggesting there is a strong placebo effect. The absolute truth is, we just don't know. I personally don't believe women should be held back from trying it, if they want it. If these things don't help, I point my patients to a book called Mind The Gap by Dr Karen Gurney, who brilliantly explains all this. 6. Why are my joints so achey? Knee aches, frozen shoulders, plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow are all more likely to happen during the menopause, once again it's the decline in hormones to blame, affecting your muscles, ligaments and joints. For our joints to function optimally (remain pain-free and supple) there needs to be lubrication, and when your reduced hormones lessen this, you can feel more discomfort as bones endure more friction. Dr Potter's solutions HRT can – but not always – improve things. Finding the right exercise can help, cycling is surprisingly good for sore knee joints as strengthening the quad muscles can help stabilise the knee joints. For frozen shoulders, a steroid injection can do the trick, even just as a one-off. Bear in mind that just because you have that symptom now, it doesn't mean it's going to stay throughout the entire menopause and after. These issues fluctuate. 7. What exactly are hot flushes? Also known as ' hot flashes' (a US term that's been adopted here), this is when you experience a sudden rise in heat, often from your chest up into your neck and face. But it can also affect your whole body. This is caused by your blood vessels dilating and – as they get bigger and open up – the blood rushes to the surface of your skin in an attempt to cool you down. You may start sweating more, too. Essentially this happens because fluctuating oestrogen affects a part of the brain that regulates temperature, and a body lacking oestrogen is tricked into thinking you're already hot. As your body attempts to cool itself down, you experience this flush. In my podcast, the presenter Lisa Snowdon describes her confusion as she suffered hit flushes in her early 40s when she was still thinking she might have children and not realising what they were. You can get them several times a day or just now and then, or never at all for some women. Women can also actually suffer the reverse of this, a 'cold flush,' in which your body cools you down even though you're not hot. Fewer people complain of this because it's less well recognised as a symptom, but is also less debilitating – if you're suddenly freezing cold you can put on a jumper. If you suddenly become red-faced during a work presentation, say. Dr Potter's solutions HRT can be very good for this, but if you don't want to take it, and this is the only symptom bothering you, there are other medications available to address flushes. It's also useful to learn what your personal triggers are so you can avoid them. Stress, spicy food (or food that's hot temperature-wise) alcohol and smoking are all common triggers. 8. Why do I feel so anxious? Anxiety is often the first symptom women notice in perimenopause and this is because your hormones impact brain chemistry. Its impact is different for every woman but, for some progesterone causes a really nice calming effect. So when that drops in menopause, you feel more anxiety. We don't really understand how oestrogen or progesterone impacts serotonin and dopamine, the neurotransmitters that affect mood, learning, and behaviour, or why some women are affected more than others. It's all connected, and while not every menopausal woman will suffer anxiety, there are many who have never suffered it before and then it creeps in towards the late 30s and early 40s and they're not used to it and it's overwhelming. Dr Potter's solutions Lots can be done and mostly it's about looking at your lifestyle. Drinking coffee and alcohol increases anxiety, both are stimulants causing adrenaline surges (which feel similar to anxiety) – cut back or stop and see if it helps. Reducing stress, whether through mindfulness or meditation will also help, and exercise is wonderful for combatting anxiety. Some people find alternative therapies helpful – there are many herbal remedies for anxiety and some swear by things like acupuncture, massage, or Reiki. I'm not against anyone trying anything they feel works for them, so as long as it's ripping women off. It makes me annoyed when I see hugely expensive supplements marketed for menopause which contain the same ingredients you'd find cheaper at the supermarket. There are no supplements I'd particularly recommend, some women say magnesium before bed can help calm restless legs, and I think there's a little bit of evidence that it works and won't do any harm. 9. I think I smell differently – and why is my skin breaking out? Because oestrogen changes the environment of your skin, and the way you smell partly depends on the bacteria that live on the surface of your skin, women can sometimes notice a slight change in their smell – in their sweat or vaginal discharge. It's likely temporary, but any offensive discharge odour needs to be investigated by a doctor as it's more likely to be an infection. It's not uncommon to have hormonally driven skin breakouts, whether it's rosacea (little spots over your nose or across your cheeks) or cystic acne that can form around the chin. This is often down to the change in the balance of testosterone, so even if your testosterone level has remained relatively unchanged, dropping oestrogen will create an androgenic shift in the balance (making male hormones more dominant than before), which can lead to breakouts. Dr Potter's solutions In addition to the common sense lifestyle changes – eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep, there are also topical antibacterial medications available, such a benzoyl peroxide for acne and topical metronidazole for rosacea. 10. Why can't I sleep through the night? Those 4am awakenings can be caused by a sudden surge of adrenaline that wakes you up and then you feel anxious and unable to get back to sleep. It's complex why this happens, and it's about the activity or hormones in our brains, but we don't really know why it happens, or why with depression falling asleep isn't as much the problem as staying asleep. Dr Potter's solutions Good sleep hygiene is crucial, and part of that is only going to bed when you're sleepy. If you don't fall asleep straight away, get back up and only return to your bedroom when you feel ready to sleep. Spending two hours in your bed wide awake only sets you up for failure for the subsequent nights. However little sleep you've had, set your alarm at the usual waking time and get up the next morning and keep doing this routine as it should help retrain your habits.
