WomenWise

Feeling scratchy, irritated and sometimes just plain p****d off? You are not alone. A survey highlighted that 70% of us felt more or more easily irritated through peri/menopause. Why is this? Hormone changes are a big culprit. Not just oestrogen but cortisol too. Everyday life is a factor - how busy we are, how well (or badly) we’ve slept, if we’re hungry or our blood sugar levels are out of whack (think feeling ‘hangry’).

Well said, Amy. Midlife can be the start of something amazing.

Delighted to have been part of Citius Retreats’ event in Notting Hill. An amazing group of practitioners, focused on empowering women to learn how to live happier healthier lives.

Some Sunday evening wise words : we hope you've all had a restful weekend. Share your favourite quote with us - we'd love to hear from more wise women. 🤍

We ran a poll recently and 52% said they had developed intolerances to food and had digestion issues.

Digestive issues can rear their head through menopause. Indigestion, acid reflux, bloating, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence and nausea can be common. These can be very upsetting and worrying symptoms.

There can be many causes for digestive problems. Lower levels of oestrogen slows the rate food passes through the gastrointestinal tract. If you already have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) you may find it gets worse through menopause.

Chronic stress can impact the effectiveness of your digestive system (causing cramps, diarrhoea, wind and bloating) as can the diversity of your gut bacteria, known as your microbiome. Stomach acid needs zinc to be optimised.

Is this something you've experienced too? Let us know in the comments.

Wise women 🤍

At WomenWise our tests get to the bottom of why you feel like you do. Not every woman is the same and so one size solutions do not exist: we offer a personalised approach. We work with you, your body, your lifestyle.

Our combination of blood, urine and DNA tests plus a bespoke questionnaire tells us what’s causing your symptoms. We then detail a personalised set of recommendations to help you beat your symptoms.

Each symptom is rooted in a combination of your changing levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone, your underlying health and your lifestyle choices.

Our at-home tests and detailed questionnaires help us pinpoint why you are feeling like you do.

We offer three packages - and tests include a small blood test, cheek cell (DNA) and urine samples - which we send to our partner labs to assess the functioning of your adrenal glands, your thyroid health, how your body responds to blood sugar, your iron and vitamin D levels and how well your body clears oestrogen. We combine this deep dive into your biochemistry and a targeted part of your DNA - with your health history, menopause experience (symptoms & severity) and lifestyle choices using the bespoke WomenWise questionnaire. We can then see what support you need and create a plan for you.

You’ll know how to eat correctly, lift your mood and libido, balance your hormones, maintain your ideal body weight, improve your skin and hair and boost energy, sleep and focus.

Want to find out more? Book a no obligation 30 minute discovery call with one of our menopause experts.

Post 'Yes' in the comments & we will send you a link to book your online 30 minute appointment.

Former First Lady, Michelle Obama said in February 2020, “Women, our bodies change drastically in comparison to men. We’re going through menopause. We’ve got a lot going on, and I don’t think we’ve done enough to understand what aging means for women’s bodies: What are we supposed to look like? How are we supposed to feel? We’re not talking about that enough. I’m 56 with a 56-year-old-body, and I love my body.”

Our bodies can change shape during the perimenopause and menopause leaving us feeling different, unsure and even judged. But it can also be a chance to decide how we want to live and how we want to age.

How has it left you feeling?

If you'd like to find out more about we support women during midlife head to our website WomenWise.Health 🤍

Did you know the following menopause symptoms are linked.........

Brain fog
Stubborn weight gain
Fatigue

If you have these symptoms and want to learn more.... we are running a complimentary masterclass on Thursday evening at 7pm.

https://join.womenwise.health/womanwise-masterclass-may-15/

Would it surprise you to know that over 50% of women lack knowledge about the structure and functions of the v***a and va**na?

Midlife is a crucial time for our health and now is a prime time to educate ourselves about our intimate health – take care of your v***a and va**na as a key part of improving your well-being.

Expert Smita Sinha, Founder and Consultant Gynaecologist, Serenity Women’s Clinic has written this guide to looking after our own health.

LET’S NOT BE COY – LOOKING AFTER OUR VULVAL HEALTH - Women Wise Would it surprise you to know that over 50% of women lack knowledge about the structure and functions of the […]

🚗 Important Parking Update for Tomorrow’s Event! 🚗

Attention all guests attending our Menopause, Health, and Wellness Evening at The Gonville Hotel, Cambridge: Please note that there will be no parking available at the hotel. 🏨❌

🅿️ We kindly ask that you park at the Queen Anne Terrace Car Park, located at CB1 1ND. This is just a short walk from the event venue, ensuring you have plenty of time to arrive and settle in before the talk begins.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. We look forward to seeing you and having a fantastic event! Remember, your attendance supports a great cause while you learn from our incredible lineup of speakers. See you there! 🌟🚶‍♀️

For more details follow this link to our website, https://tinyurl.com/2s34nbts or click on this Eventbrite link to buy your tickets. https://tinyurl.com/3vv56zyv

Perhaps you've tried talking to your GP about your symptoms. Perhaps you're on HRT but it's not been the silver bullet you hoped it would be. Perhaps you've got a symptom that is worrying you or getting you down. If you didn't get the answers you needed you are not alone. We hear from loads of women who are relying on friends, influencers and blogs to understand their symptoms better because they simply can't get the relief they need.

If this is you - join us this Friday, from 2pm to 3pm ask expert Sarah, anything about your (peri) menopause symptoms.

Whatever your query, concern or issue about your symptoms or options, you can ask us.

Our drop ins are informal, confidential and supportive. Simply bring along your menopause questions (and even tell a friend). We are here to help.

The zoom link is in our bio - ⏰Set your reminder and we'll see you Friday.

If you know a friend who is struggling with her symptoms and doesn't know where to turn - tag her! We are in this together.

(sign up to our newsletter to get the link emailed every week).

This is something we hear a lot from our customers and one of the reasons we are so determined to help women understand the underlying causes of their symptoms - and more importantly - resolve them.

"The mother-of-two was in her mid-40s when she first began experiencing symptoms of perimenopause. She suffered with night sweats, heart palpitations and migraines that left her feeling weak and lethargic. She struggled to focus at work, and dreaded attending the regular meetings that were part of her job as a recruitment specialist. "I lost all my confidence. I thought I wasn't good at anything," she says."

Has this been your experience?

Without support, many menopausal workers are quitting their jobs Menopause-related symptoms can be debilitating. Many workers say they lack employer programmes – and have no choice but to leave their roles.

"There’s a lot that can be done without invasive procedures. Just as you would work out your leg muscles, you can work out your facial muscles. It might sound too good to be true but it’s evidence backed - a study published in JAMA Dermatology (2018) found that middle-aged women who performed facial exercises regularly over 20 weeks showed improvements in facial appearance, with participants reporting a more youthful appearance and increased satisfaction with their facial appearance. We are delighted to partner with Carme Farré : certified teacher in Face Fitness for a one hour .toned masterclass. Masterclass is free but registration via eventbrite is essential.

⏰Thu, 25 Apr 2024 19:00 - 20:00 BST
Head to our bio for the link. Spaces are limited.

Did you know that fatigue, menopause weight gain, brain fog and cravings are all linked?

We will talk about this and what you can do about these symptoms in our webinar tonight. It starts at 7pm & you can register for it here. If you can't make tonight, you will be sent the recording.

https://join.womenwise.health/womanwise-masterclass-april-17/

WomenWise is grounded in two very simple but very powerful truths.

First, that menopause symptoms are not only caused by changing levels of oestrogen and progesterone. Your underlying health (such as your thyroid, adrenal function and brain chemistry) is also key.

Second, that no menopause is the same. Just because we all go through menopause does not mean we’ll experience the same symptoms or need the same support.

This is why we focus on personalised support.

We look at biology, genetics and lifestyle to understand what’s causing the symptoms.

There's no assumptions about what a woman might need. There's no "try this for six months and let's just see how it goes". We take out the guesswork and provide women with a personalised, bespoke plan.

Talk to us about how we work and how we can help you.

Discovery call: https://calendly.com/d/z9q-pq8-6z6/30-minute-personal-consultation?month=2024-04

Want to know why HRT might not be the silver bullet you hoped it would be? You can watch cofounder and expert Sarah Williamson discusses oestrogen and why low oestrogen isn't always the reason for our menopause symptoms.

https://womenwise.health/all-about-oestrogen/

We are seeing more and more women who are fed up with 'menowashing', that is brands and products using the menopause to market their products.

We have seen the menopause being used to sell pyjamas, bedding, clothes, underwear and even tea.

By the time women come to us, they are fed up, feeling cynical but still needing answers.

We don't underestimate women. We also don't *want* women to just manage their symptoms - we want to find the root cause of their symptoms and give them a plan to resolve these symptoms.

We offer one to one consultations, as well as a zoom drop "ask anything". We don't underestimate women - instead we listen to them, support them and give them solutions.

Every Tuesday we run a drop in session... Ask Anything about Menopause.

⏰ 7pm - 8pm

This is an opportunity to ask an expert about any of your symptoms, treatments, HRT, no HRT, supplements - anything you need support with. We hope you can join us and do let any of your friends and colleagues know.

The link to our Zoom room in the comments below. Simply click at 7pm tonight, Tuesday.

We are seeing more and more products being marketed to women promising to alleviate symptoms. However, it may surprise you to know that you do not need these products because your symptoms are not inevitable.

We see many women (& most are on HRT), who are experiencing these uncomfortable symptoms and are spending their money on products to help them cope with them.

Each symptom is rooted in a combination of your changing levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone - but also in your underlying health and your lifestyle choices. For example, hot flushes can happen for a number of reasons – not just low levels of oestrogen. They can be caused by insulin sensitivity problems, low thyroid function and cortisol imbalance.

The key to managing your symptoms is to understand the complex causes behind them. WomenWise’s at-home tests and questionnaires unlock these insights. We assess your oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels, your metabolism, genetics, your brain chemistry, your nutrition, stress resilience and much more. Our recommendations are then based around your genes, biochemistry, and lifestyle. This detailed picture tells us what support your body needs and will be completely unique to you.

If you have any questions, you can book a free discovery call with one of our menopause experts. Head to our bio to book your call or comment "yes" below and we'll send you a link.

Fewer than 1 in 10 women said they have enough information on the menopause. We meet too many women who have given up on getting the information they need.

We decided enough! Now, every Tuesday at 7pm we run a free drop-in session. The zoom link is linked in the comments below or head to our Instagram bio - simply click at 7pm on Tuesday and join us.

We do not record them so they are confidential. You can ask anything about your symptoms and speak directly to our co founder and expert.

Bring your questions and tell a friend. Women should not have be relying on word of mouth about what treatments are right for them.

We are in it together.

🧠 Brain fog means it can become tricky to concentrate, maintain your train of thought or find the right words and names. Symptoms associated with brain fog include writing endless lists, forgetting people’s names, forever losing your keys, finding it harder to retain information, difficulty concentrating and generally becoming more forgetful.

It can be a very frightening symptom. However it affects you, it’s frustrating and can be embarrassing.

One woman told us what used to take her five hours to do at work, now takes two days. Many feel unable to tell colleagues how it's impacting them, they fear losing their jobs or missing out on opportunities. Just as women could be scaling up their careers, many feel they have to take a step back.

One of the main reasons for brain fog is related to the effects of changing hormones on our brains. The slow decline of both oestrogen and progesterone can be linked to brain fog. However, whilst oestrogen plays a role the real culprit is brain cells not being able to produce enough energy.

Midlife women are currently being short-changed with a one-size fits all approach to the perimenopause and menopause. At WomenWise our approach is completely different: we make recommendations based on *your* biochemistry, genes, and lifestyle. There are solutions and you can get back to feeling like you again.

If you have a question about brain fog, or other symptoms, come to our free drop in sessions - 7pm every Tuesday (zoom link in the bio). Anna Allerton has written about her experiences of brain fog - we have linked in our bio.

🗣 We are looking forward to being part of this special LinkedIn Broadcast on Wednesday 28th February at 4pm. We meet women every week who have scaled back their roles, gone part time or even given up work because of their menopause symptoms: often just as their careers are really taking off.

'Whether you're a woman approaching menopause, a supportive partner, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about this natural transition, this event offers valuable perspectives for all."

We hope you can join us - there will be a Q&A session and Sarah Williamson can answer your questions about symptoms, HRT, alternatives and supplements - and how to make sure you are able to thrive, not just survive, through perimenopause and beyond.

It's happening over on LinkedIn.... we have linked in the comments below. Come join us or if you know an employer / HR exec who would benefit - let them know too. We believe the better informed everyone is, the better is for women.

"When I came to WomenWise, I was struggling with mood problems, irritability and weight gain. I was being treated for high blood pressure. My results were fascinating : I was insulin resistant and had a disrupted cortisol pattern. Since getting my results and plan I have lost 20lbs. My energy levels are amazing."

The key to managing your menopausal symptoms is to understand the complex causes behind them. WomenWise’s at-home tests and questionnaires unlock these insights. We assess your oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels, your metabolism, your brain chemistry, your nutrition, stress resilience and much more. Our recommendations are then based around your genes, biochemistry, and lifestyle. We find out what support your body needs and create a plan unique to you. One size does not fit all.

If you'd like to book a free no obligation consultation with a specialist let us know in the comments with "yes".

Our website is linked in our bio if you'd like to learn more.

Join us every Tuesday from 7-8pm to ask an expert anything about your (peri) menopause symptoms.

Perhaps you've tried talking to your GP about what options there are if you don't want to take HRT. Perhaps you're on HRT but it's not been the silver bullet you hoped it would be. If you didn't get the answers you needed you are not alone. 85% of midlife women don't feel listened to by a healthcare professional. Whatever your query, concern or issue about the perimenopause, you can ask us.

Our drop ins are informal, confidential and supportive. Simply bring along your menopause questions (and even tell a friend). We are here to help.

Comment with "yes" if you'd like us to send you the zoom link directly. Alternatively you can find the link in our bio ⬆️Tuesday, 7pm. Set your reminder now ⏰🔔

This line, from a poem by Mary Oliver, is used in the Netflix film, Nyad (starring Annette Benning & Jodie Foster). The film is based on a real life story of Diana Nyad - who swam the crossing from Cuba to Florida, aged 60. It's this line that inspires her to take on this challenge - and live her one wild and precious life.