Dr. Rosie Ross

Conventional, complementary, and alternative medicine approaches for women in their midlife.

Dr. Rosie Ross, sought-after midlife women’s health expert, is an award-winning Medical Doctor, Herbalist, Author, Speaker, and Integrative Health specialist. Dr. Rosie is truly passionate about women’s wellbeing and powerfully changing menopause education through health literacy and integrative medecine approaches. Author of Approaching the Pause: Candid Conversations on the Journey Towards Menopause, Dr Rosie breaks down the barriers to talking about the sometimes-embarrassing topics of midlife menopausal changes.

13/06/2025

What if your changing libido was a message, not a problem?

What if it was your body’s way of inviting you to reconnect, reflect, and reimagine what intimacy means now?

In my latest blog, we explore desire in perimenopause. Not to fix it, but to understand it more clearly.

You are whole, even when things feel unfamiliar

Let’s explore this together: https://drrosieross.com/understanding-sexual-desire-during-perimenopause/

06/06/2025

We often blame hormones for changes in libido during midlife. And yes, they do matter. But they are not the whole story.

Desire is a system. It is shaped by stress, sleep, emotional connection, and how safe and seen we feel.

If your libido has shifted, that does not mean something is wrong. It may simply be your body asking for a new kind of care.

Let’s talk about it: https://drrosieross.com/understanding-sexual-desire-during-perimenopause/

31/05/2025

Where did my libido go?

If that question feels familiar, you’re not alone. For many women, perimenopause brings unexpected changes in sexual desire. And it's not just about hormones.

Stress, sleep, emotional connection, and how you feel in your body all play a role.

In my new blog, I unpack why libido shifts in midlife and how it's not about going back to how things were. It's about gently discovering what desire looks like now.

👉 Read the full blog here: https://drrosieross.com/understanding-sexual-desire-during-perimenopause/

07/05/2025

Some changes in midlife are hard to put into words.

A dip in desire... a shift in energy... a quiet loss of motivation.

But did you know that for many women, these changes are often linked to a gradual decline in testosterone?

It’s a hormone that tends to be overlooked in women’s health conversations—largely because it’s commonly mistaken as something that only matters for men.

Is this the first time you’ve come across this information?

If you have questions, I invite you to share them in the comments—let’s create space for open, supportive dialogue.

And if you’d like to learn more, feel free to read my latest blog here https://drrosieross.com/hormones-and-libido-understanding-midlife-changes/

30/04/2025

Have you heard of hormone therapy?

If you’re in perimenopause or menopause and noticing changes in your libido, energy, or comfort during intimacy, it may be something worth exploring.

Hormonal shifts during this stage of life can quietly shape how you feel in your body—physically, emotionally, and intimately. That’s why I often encourage women to consider hormone therapy as a supportive option to help them feel more at ease as their bodies evolve.

Hormone therapy involves supplementing hormones like oestrogen or testosterone to help bring the body back into balance.

For some, that may mean using topical oestrogen creams to relieve vaginal dryness.
For others, low-dose testosterone—typically administered also as a gel or cream and prescribed under medical supervision—can help support libido and emotional well-being.

It’s important to know that while these changes are a natural part of midlife, they don’t have to diminish your quality of life. There are options—and you deserve to know about them.

If you’re thinking about whether this might be right for you, I share more in my latest blog. You can read it here:
https://drrosieross.com/hormones-and-libido-understanding-midlife-changes/

24/04/2025

If you've been feeling a little less motivated lately—or like the things that used to bring you joy aren't lighting you up the same way—it may not be just a passing mood.

There’s a biological explanation behind it.

Dopamine, the brain chemical that helps us feel pleasure, reward, and motivation, is closely tied to oestrogen.

When oestrogen levels are stable, dopamine works more effectively—helping you feel energized, connected, and interested in things like intimacy, creativity, or even simple everyday pleasures.

But during perimenopause and menopause, as oestrogen begins to decline, that dopamine response can weaken. That shift can lead to feeling low, less interested, or even disconnected from yourself.

If that sounds familiar, please know—it’s not a personal failing. It’s something many women experience, and understanding the why behind it is the first step toward feeling more in control.

Want to learn more about how hormone changes affect dopamine—and what you can do to support your well-being?

Discover more in our latest blog post https://drrosieross.com/hormones-and-libido-understanding-midlife-changes/

17/04/2025

If you’re still not prioritising quality sleep, your gut might be sending you signals that it’s time to start.

Sleep plays a major role in keeping your gut microbiome balanced—a key factor in supporting digestion, managing inflammation, and easing the challenges that come with menopause.

But when sleep is disrupted, so is your gut health.

When you don’t get enough rest, it can shift the balance of your gut bacteria, weaken your gut lining, and trigger inflammation.

It also raises cortisol—your body’s stress hormone—which, when consistently high, can contribute to bloating, weight gain, and increased gut sensitivity.

Over time, these imbalances make it harder for your body to regulate digestion, mood, and energy levels.

Quality sleep is a cornerstone of good health, and by prioritising sleep, you're supporting your gut health and promoting overall physical and mental well-being. 💤

Need help getting better sleep? Book a consultation with me, and let’s uncover what’s really disrupting your rest.

https://www.halaxy.com/profile/dr-rosemary-ross/gp-general-practitioner/1444991?clinic=580401

17/04/2025

Have you noticed a shift in your libido during midlife?

Many women experience this, too.

During perimenopause and menopause, hormone levels begin to fluctuate in ways that can affect more than just your cycle.

Many women notice changes in desire, arousal, or how connected they feel to their bodies—and that can be confusing or even distressing.

But here’s what’s important to know: these changes are common, and they’re a natural part of this phase of your life.

That’s why understanding how hormones like oestrogen and testosterone impact your sexual health matters because it can help you feel more informed, more empowered, and more at ease with what you’re experiencing.

Curious to learn more about what’s going on—and what you can do to support your body through it? Read the full blog here: https://drrosieross.com/hormones-and-libido-understanding-midlife-changes/

10/04/2025

How many times have you been told, “That’s just part of getting older”?

Symptoms dismissed. Concerns brushed aside. A gut feeling that something isn’t right—ignored.

Women’s health has often been treated as an afterthought, making it harder to get the answers and care we deserve.

But here’s the truth: you are the expert on your own body. If something feels off, it deserves to be taken seriously.

If you’re not getting answers, you have every right to ask again—or ask someone else.

Speaking up for yourself isn’t causing trouble—it’s making sure your health is prioritised.

It’s how real solutions are found, how better care is received, and how the next woman who walks into a doctor’s office doesn’t have to fight the same battles.

And it doesn’t stop with us. If you see another woman struggling, encourage her, listen to her, and stand by her.

The more we speak up, the more we change the way women’s health is treated—for all of us.

If you’re ready to start exploring solutions like hormone replacement therapy (HRT), my guide, Navigating Your Health Journey: Five Key Questions About HRT, can help you ask the right questions and take charge of your health.

03/04/2025

Did you know that stress could be making menopause harder than it needs to be?

One of the biggest culprits behind gut imbalance is chronic stress, and when your gut microbiome is out of sync, it can affect everything from digestion to mood, energy levels, and even hormone regulation.

And that’s because your brain and gut are constantly communicating through the vagus nerve, a key pathway that helps regulate digestion, inflammation, and even emotional well-being.

When stress takes over, it disrupts this connection, making it harder for your gut to function properly.

Over time, this can lead to bloating, discomfort, fatigue, and even worsened menopausal symptoms.

Luckily, simple lifestyle changes can help like:
💆‍♀️ Mindfulness exercise
🧘‍♀️ Yoga & Meditation
🌿 Gentle Movements

Remember, your body functions best when everything is in balance—including your gut.

So, tell me, what’s your favourite way to de-stress? Let me know in the comments.

27/03/2025

If you’re not a fan of fermented foods…

The key is to start low and go slow.

That means beginning with a small amount—about the size of your thumbnail—and gradually increasing over the next few weeks.

This gentle approach helps your body adjust and reduces the chances of bloating, gas, or discomfort that some people experience when introducing probiotics.

Fermented foods can do so much for your gut microbiome, helping to restore balance and support digestion.

But if they’re new to you, easing into them can make all the difference.

A few good options to start with are:

🥄 Yogurt – A familiar and easy way to get probiotics.
🥛 Kefir – A smooth, slightly tangy drink packed with good bacteria.
🥬 Sauerkraut – A crunchy, flavorful way to support gut health.
🍲 Miso – A delicious, savoury addition to soups and dressings.

Thinking of giving it a try? Let me know how it goes! 💛

And if you’re interested in diving deeper into the topic of gut microbiome health, you can read more about it on my blog here https://drrosieross.com/why-your-gut-brain-connection-matters-in-menopause/

20/03/2025

Think back to when you first learned about your period.

Was it a quick conversation? A school pamphlet? A whispered warning from a friend?

For many of us, real education about our bodies came late—if it came at all. And by the time we needed answers, we were left to figure things out on our own.

But why should another generation of girls go through the same thing?

Understanding menstrual health, hormonal changes, and long-term well-being shouldn’t be something women stumble into after years of confusion. It should be something they grow up knowing—so they can make informed choices from the very start.

The more we talk, the more we break the cycle. And the more we break the cycle, the stronger and healthier the next generation of women will be.

What do you wish you had known earlier? Let’s start the conversation—drop your thoughts below. ⬇️

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