Unmenopaused

02/05/2026

There are lots of new people joining this page which is wonderful, so I thought I'd say hello and also let you know about a few things available to you support wise.

So associated with this page is a Private Facebook Group, Unmenopaused Private Group, similar to this page, but where you can interact with your fellow group members, ask questions, get advice, and post something helpful or funny.

I also have a website, unmenopaused.co.uk where you can find out about all the services and support I offer locally and online. I have recently added a download for a free printable Symptom Checker sheet, which can be really helpful when you want to track symptoms before seeing your GP to discuss perimenopause symptom treatment options, or if you have started HRT or another option, such as a herbal treatment or diet change, you can track the effectiveness on your symptom management.

Here's the link https://www.unmenopaused.co.uk/perimenopause-symptom-checker/

02/05/2026

May is Women's Health Month in the US.

We don't have this awareness month here in the UK in May, but the stats are the same.

So it was good to see that, in April, the renewed Women's Health Strategy was high on the government's agenda. With 160,000 women involved in the conversations, the "biggest in NHS history".

It's a 10-year health plan, so the changes are not going to happen overnight, and the right resources need to be in place, but it's a step in the right direction.

Read more about the Women's Health Strategy for England here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69df5d7261d2e8e9b9e42d2e/renewed-womens-health-strategy-for-england-web-accessible.pdf

01/05/2026

Can I be honest about something?

I think one of the reasons some women stop themselves booking onto our retreat isn’t actually the date or even the cost…

…it’s the moment they see the words “singing workshop” and immediately think:

“Oh absolutely not. That’s not for me.” 😅

And honestly? I completely understand that reaction.

Especially if perimenopause or anxiety has already left you feeling less confident, more self-conscious, more emotionally exposed or like you’ve somehow lost trust in yourself a little.

Because when you already feel depleted or overwhelmed, the thought of doing something unfamiliar — especially something involving your voice — can feel really vulnerable.

But this is the important part:

This isn’t a performance.
Nobody is judging you.
Nobody is expecting you to sing well.

And I say that as someone who genuinely couldn’t bear the thought of anyone around me hearing my singing voice… not even my husband 😅

Which is funny really, because deep down I’ve always loved singing.

As a child I loved choirs. I’d sing around the house constantly and when my children were little I used rhyme time classes as my excuse to get my singing fix again!

But somewhere along the way, like many women do, I became more self-conscious. More worried about getting it wrong. More aware of being heard.

What I love about Lilli’s whole approach to singing is that it completely removes that pressure.

Her business is called Sing to Heal for a reason.

It’s not about singing for other people.
It’s about what singing does for you.

The breathing.
The release.
The vibration.
The nervous system support.
The joy.
The freedom that can come from letting your voice out without judgement.

And honestly, through Lilli’s choir and workshops, I’ve seen so many women reconnect with themselves again through that process.

This retreat is going to be an incredibly safe, supportive space for that 💛

You do not need to be “good” at this retreat.
You do not need to perform.
And you absolutely won’t be the only woman arriving feeling nervous about this part.

You just need to come exactly as you are.

Still Me, Just Shifting was created for women who are tired of pushing through, tired of overthinking and tired of feeling like they have to hold everything together all the time.

If that’s you, maybe don’t let fear of the word “singing” stop you from something that could actually feel incredibly supportive 🌿

Sunday 17th May | Launceston Farm, Blandford
Only a few spaces remaining.

Comment STILL ME or message me if you’d like the details 💛

01/05/2026

What a brilliant morning at today’s Menopause Chat Group 💛

We welcomed 10 wonderful women to the Everyman Cinema in Salisbury this morning for such an engaging, interactive and supportive session with Kim Brockway 🌿

Kim shared a range of practical breathwork techniques that could support women through some of the everyday moments that can come with perimenopause and menopause, including:

✨ breath observation
✨ extended exhale breathing and finding the rhythm that works best for you
✨ energising breathwork for those low-energy days
✨ and even a clever cooling technique for hot flushes involving breathing through a curled tongue (if you have the gene!) or through gently closed teeth.

It was fascinating how something as simple as the way we breathe can have such a supportive effect on how we feel.

We even had a lovely surprise guest appearance from Emma Rickman, who writes the nutrition section in my monthly newsletter, which landed in inboxes this morning for subscribers 💌

But honestly, what stood out most was the atmosphere in the room.

Women chatting openly.
Asking questions.
Sharing experiences.
Laughing.
Learning together.

That’s exactly why these groups matter 💛

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped create such a welcoming space.

30/04/2026

Tomorrow morning 💛

If you’ve been thinking about coming along to the Menopause Chat Group but kept putting it off… this is your little reminder that there’s still time to join us.

Tomorrow we’ll be talking all things breathwork with Kim Brockway 🌿

Not in a complicated or intimidating way… but in a really practical, real-life way.

The kind of techniques you can use:

• when a hot flush suddenly hits

• when your mind feels busy at 3am

• before a stressful moment

• or when you simply need a reset in your day

Kim is also part of our Unmenopaused community herself, which makes these conversations feel even more genuine and relatable 💛

And honestly? Sometimes the biggest benefit of these mornings is simply walking into a room where nobody needs menopause explained to them.

No pressure to share.
No expectation.

Just conversation, connection and usually a few laughs too.

📅 Tomorrow – Friday 1st May
🕙 10am–12pm
📍 Everyman Cinema, Salisbury

If you’d like to join us, we’d love to welcome you 🌿

🎟 Last few tickets available.

The Menopause Chat Group - Your safe space for menopause conversations.

Date: Fri 1 May • 10

Location: Everyman Salisbury

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-menopause-chat-group-your-safe-space-for-menopause-conversations-tickets-1829986602189?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=SavedEvents_android&sg=428410f37f53bc2d6b726c3192529731096c0bc402b3cf41c73290f3942cf62dac95832d68e39ec1562056c973baa81ecbdb921ffbfaa541436e3abbb46e779410812dccf09cbbe3320017c691

30/04/2026

How we access health advice is changing with so many accessing advice through AI platforms, this post from Eve Appeal highlights why we must use these resources with caution.

📣This Get Lippy month we want to encourage everyone to chat to their GP not ChatGPT if they are worried about gynae health symptoms.

We ran 25 test scenarios with ChatGPT, where we posed as patients with key symptoms of the five gynae cancers.

Our testing of found serious concerns, with it missing ovarian and vulval cancer as potential causes of leading symptoms, giving inaccurate or outdated information and giving inappropriate medical advice.

When we posed as a patient with persistent bloating for more than three weeks, it did not mention ovarian cancer as a potential cause, even though this is one of the leading symptoms . While it did recommend seeing a doctor, it kept offering diet advice and tips around dealing with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a benign condition that patients with ovarian cancer are commonly misdiagnosed with. Ovarian cancer still wasn’t mentioned even when we explained that the hypothetical patient had already changed their diet and their bloating was getting worse.

Vulval cancer was also missed as a potential cause of vulval itching. Even when we gave details of vulval itching which exactly matched how it would present if it was a sign of cancer, like it hadn’t improved with over-the-counter medicines and was worse at night.

We are particularly worried because more and more people are turning to ChatGPT and other platforms like it for health information and advice. We surveyed over 2000 women in the UK (YouGov, March 2026) and found that AI platforms have overtaken social media as places women go to with their gynae health questions and concerns.

1 in 10 women with gynae health concerns had gone to AI platforms like ChatGPT for advice and information. Only 1 in 3 of them felt encouraged to see a doctor and only 16% said they didn’t fully trust the information.

Through the month of May we will be Getting Lippy and loud about the dangers of mis and disinformation and sharing our toolkit on how to pick out trusted information.

Read more about the news and find our toolkit (from Patient Information Forum resources) on:
https://eveappeal.org.uk/campaigns/get-lippy/

You can get involved in Get Lippy by buying a participating product in May, donating to The Eve Appeal (full list will be on our website from May 1). Also follow us and share our life-saving information and tips.

30/04/2026

Another important conversation one that Emily Edwards (a Neurodiversity coach) and I have touched on in the past with a webinar last year, with further plan to join forces again later this year.

I have met several women over the last couple years through my chat group and workshops who are considering if ADHD might be a factor for them or have recieved a later in life diagnosis and making sense of it all alongside navigating perimenopause!

This article written by Menopause Experts Group founder Dee Murray is a really insightful look at this topic.

Click to read https://lnkd.in/ehfwURYu Menopause Experts Group Limited Can you relate to this? It seems overwhelmingly common or is it that ‘like attracts like’! I feel so many of those around me, moving in my circles are experiencing this. 👇

29/04/2026

I honestly can’t believe we’re nearly at the end of April already… where did that month go!?

What it does mean, though, is that I’m busy writing the next Unmenopaused Monthly Newsletter, ready to land in inboxes on Friday, 1st May 🌿

This month we’re talking all about FOOD.

How our relationship with food can change during perimenopause and menopause, the huge amount of nutrition advice noise out there and how overwhelming that can sometimes feel.

We’ll be chatting about:

Simple ways to support your body in midlife
avoiding energy crashes and feeling undernourished
appetite, fullness and mindful eating
supplements and whether we really need them

…and the wonderfully knowledgeable Emma Rickman, our Nutrition expert, is also helping us understand a little more about those much talked about GLP-1 injections.

As always, the aim isn’t perfection or restrictive eating… just understanding our bodies a little better and supporting them in realistic, manageable ways 💛

If you’d like this delivered straight to your inbox on Friday morning, you’re very welcome to join the mailing list here:

https://www.unmenopaused.co.uk/sign-up-to-my-mailing-list/

And as a little thank you, you’ll also receive my downloadable PDF:
“What’s happening to my hormones?!”

I hereby agree that this data will be stored and processed for the purpose of establishing contact. I am aware that I can revoke my consent at any time.*

29/04/2026

Sometimes when a hot flush starts, it’s not even just the heat itself… it’s the feeling that comes with it.

That sudden rush.
Feeling flustered.
Wondering if everyone else has noticed.

Recently, Kim Brockway showed me a really simple breathwork technique that can help cool you down and shift your focus away from overheating — something I know so many women will relate to.

And honestly? It was such a good reminder that our breath is always with us and can be such a supportive tool during perimenopause and menopause.

At Friday’s Menopause Chat Group, Kim will be sharing some of the practical techniques she uses with women, including breathwork that may help with:
🌿 hot flushes
🌿 sleep
🌿 anxiety and overwhelm
🌿 focus and clarity

And interestingly, breathwork isn’t always about relaxation and feeling calm… Kim also has an energising, mood-lifting technique too!

These are the kinds of simple, real-life tools you’ll be able to discover if you come along on Friday 💛

📅 Friday 1st May
🕙 10am–12pm
📍 Everyman Cinema, Salisbury

As always, this is a relaxed, welcoming space where you can chat, listen, learn and connect with other women who truly understand this stage of life.

🎟 Tickets are £5

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-menopause-chat-group-your-safe-space-for-menopause-conversations-tickets-1829986602189?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-source=up&utm-term=user-profile&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

We’d love to see you there 💛

29/04/2026

Who can relate??

29/04/2026

This is such an important question to address. There are likely many women who believe HRT is just not an option for them due to blood clot history. But HRT options have improved with transdermal body identical being the most commonly prescribed these days. It's always worth a conversation with a health practitioners such as Lemala Health or a GP who understands menopause and HRT to discuss what might be right for you.

Are you now in your 40s or 50s and thinking "Can I take HRT?"

Well the quick answer is Yes ! but then the details matter....

Not all HRT carries the same risk.

Oral oestrogen (tablets) is associated with an increased risk of clots.�But transdermal oestrogen (patches, gels, sprays) works differently in the body and does not increase clot risk in the same way.

That means some women with a history of clots may still be able to use HRT safely.

Progesterone choice matters too, with micronised progesterone generally considered not to carry a clot risk.

Of course, this isn’t one-size-fits-all.�

Your individual risk depends on things like:
�• the type of clot
�• what caused it
�• any underlying clotting conditions
�• other risk factors

But being told a blanket “no HRT ever” based on older guidance may mean you’re missing out on safe and effective treatment.

If this sounds like you, it’s worth revisiting the conversation with someone experienced in menopause care.

We’ve based this post on guidance from Thrombosis UK. (https://thrombosisuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/tuk-menopause-clot-leaflet-final.pdf)