Navigating The Menopause Maze

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Navigating The Menopause Maze

Support for the Menopause Journey
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1335137930767319

I’m Lucie and I grew up in beautiful rural Kent and now live by the Kentish coast with my partner Karl and one inherited dwarf hamster Dala. My son Tom is studying Chemistry at Uni, I’m a cat and dog lover, an ever-long Foo Fighters fan, and have Keith Flint in my downstairs loo! A self-confessed personal development devotee, I love being out in the fresh air in the garden, taking a walk by the sea, and exploring places on holidays around the world. I graduated in Psychology and Human Biology in 1994 and have worked in the Healthcare sector for over 25 years. I have a CPD accreditation in 'The Menopause Journey: Embracing the Transition with Confidence'

It's been a year since I created Navigating The Menopause Maze page to provide a space for sharing information and support for anyone at any stage of Menopause. Menopause can be a scary and confusing rollercoaster of hormonal changes which in turn can bring about many physical changes, have a huge impact on your emotional and mental wellbeing, and turn your life upside down. We are at a point where although the conversation around Menopause is getting louder and support from GPs and health professionals is getting better, there is still a long way to go. Has your confidence hit rock bottom or has your anxiety been through the roof, like mine did nearly three years ago? Do you want to be part of a wonderful community of other marvellous Meno Warriors? Then come and join us in the fabulous Navigating the Menopause Maze Facebook group if you would like to be part of our community.

18/12/2025

Mcmuffin and hair day! My little treat en route to get my hair done 💇‍♀️

To avoid sitting in traffic queues getting off the Island I like to leave early, so my McDonald's breakfast and people watching at the Services have become part of my routine.

Grabbing Costa coffee ☕ ☕ for my wonderful hairdresser and I is the next part of that process before I head off to foiled and made to look fabulous.

What little routines do you have when you are going to regular appointments?
🩷🩷🩷

04/12/2025

Happy Thursday beautiful people! It's nearly the weekend.

If you or someone in your life, whether that's a family member, partner or work colleague is having a tough time with Peri Menopause, Menopause (technically just one day) or Post Menopause...then these amazing women whose website links I have listed below, are champions of change for Menopause information and care. All have lots of invaluable FREE resources and loads of very useful information. They are all on Instagram too.

The sad truth is that no one is coming to save us when it comes to the M Word, because most GPs (key word - most) didn't' get much or any training on Menopause, women have been labelled as WW's (Whiny Women) by some in the medical profession and their symptoms dismissed and medical gaslighting occurring - a very disturbing truth shared by Dr Mary Claire Havers in the US, so the more we can support each other and our loved ones by informing and educating ourselves, and supporting each other...the more change will happen and this and future generations will benefit from everything being shared and exposed now.

I don't want a lot for Christmas but what I do want is that everyone who reads it to share to people in their friends list. Thank you and a very merry Christmas to you all 🎄🎄🎄

Love,

Lucie 🩷🩷🩷

https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/?mc_cid=63983dcee6&mc_eid=fb67342729

The 'Pause Life by Dr. Mary Claire Haver https://share.google/bKFOZNUXoZvzbzpLU

Tamsen Fadal | NYT Bestselling Author of How To Menopause, Podcaster & Menopause Advocate https://share.google/9sY8d6Y95waBOPR2s

Home | Kelly Casperson, MD | Board Certified Urologist · Expert & Advocate for S*xuality and Hormones https://share.google/bIX5qPQ4oF2LB6vMI

03/12/2025

✨ Our Last Meet & Mingle of 2025 ✨

On Monday, some of our gorgeous Meno Warriors gathered for the final meet of the year, a cosy evening of chat, community, Christmas picky bits, and even a festive raffle to add some sparkle to the evening. Oh and we mustn't forget the Christmas Jumpers!

And what a year it has been. Together we’ve shared tears, hugs, laughter, wisdom, and unwavering support. We’ve swapped stories, recipes, rituals, and resilience. And along the way, these are some of the things I have learnt from these amazing women and wonderful Menopause Mentors out there, including Dr Mary Claire Havers, Tamsen Fadal, Dr Louise Newson and many others:

🌸 RESILIENCE: Women are stronger than they often realise, carrying each other through the toughest times.

🌸 BARRIERS TO CARE: Those who don’t fit outdated data on perimenopause still struggle to access the right support and medication.

🌸 HRT MYTHS: Too many are still being denied treatment because of a 20‑year‑old study that wrongly linked HRT to cancer and frightened a whole generation.

🌸 KNOWLEDGE GAPS: Most GPs still receive little training on menopause, leaving women without the guidance they deserve.

🌸 WORKPLACE IMPACT: Menopause can make it incredibly hard to function in jobs women have excelled at for years, resulting in giving up work and careers they have built up.

🌸 RELATIONSHIPS: The ripple effect is huge, touching partnerships, families, and friendships.

🌸 WHOLE SELF IMPACT: The physical symptoms, the mental load, and the emotional turbulence all collide, reminding us that menopause is not “just hot flushes,” but a full‑body, full‑life experience.

🌸 TRACKING IS KEY: It's so vital to track your symptoms, so when you go and see your doctor, you can explain exactly what you are experiencing, the severity, frequency, and impact.

🌸 REST IS OK: It’s ok to stop and rest if you need to. And it’s ok to ask for help. We are not robots, nor do we need to be Super Woman. Burnout and high cortisol levels have a huge impact on our bodies and symptoms.

🌸 BS TOLERANCE: What can I say… it disappears and we join the “We Do Not Care Club.”

🌸 MISOPHONIA IS REAL: Sensitivity to noise heightens, hugely. And it makes for a nervous system storm.

🌸 ADHD SYMPTOMS EMERGE: Hormonal shifts can intensify ADHD traits, making focus, overwhelm, and emotional regulation even harder. For many women, menopause is the first time ADHD symptoms become visible, reminding us how vital awareness, compassion, and tailored support are.

🩷 This year also reminded me that when women come together, they empower each other.

Here’s to more connection, more care, and more courage in 2026.

Thank you Marvellous Meno Warriors, for showing up for yourselves and each other.

Thank you Nicola Waghorne and your wonderful team at Sheppey Matters for all your support since we started these meetings.

Thank you Fiona Steinborn for championing this very important stage in life with me, and for organising the Fashion Show of the year at the World Menopause Day 2025 Event.

Thank you to Karl Sacher for being there and supporting me on this journey.

Have a wonderful Christmas.

Love,

Lucie 🩷 🩷 🩷

Navigating The Menopause Maze

30/11/2025

Fox Under The Moon has it right!

Rest, Relax and Recharge 🩷🩷🩷

28/11/2025

Navigating The Menopause Maze

Happy Friday! We made it to the end of the week! Woop Woop 😜

Wreath making for me tonight with my beautiful friend 🥰

Then a trip to Rochester for lunch and a wander round the Christmas markets tomorrow.

Then a gathering of lovely souls at ours on Sunday.

Busy but fun weekend ahead!

What are you up to? 🥳 🩷 🩷 🩷

15/11/2025

Menopause Chronicles Warning

🚫🥤

Lesson learned: DO NOT (I repeat, DO NOT) drink a can of cream soda at 8pm.
Result? Six, yes, SIX bathroom visits in one night.

Alcohol is causing inflammation in my body, so I’d been good drinking water. Thought I’d treat myself to “a bit of flavour.” Big mistake. HUGE mistake!

This morning’s vibe: slightly feral hair style, very sleepy, and preparing for a trip to Canterbury this morning, and a nap at home this afternoon 😂

11/11/2025

Gotta love Zoe's honesty:

S*x and vaginal HRT cream:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ45YRaja_h/?igsh=NHljZm9wMnptMno2

08/11/2025

🎄The Christmas Meno Countdown is coming! 🎄

✨ I’m creating something extra special for our Marvellous Meno Warriors this year, to help you feel calmer, stronger, and more confident this festive season.

💬 I’d love to know which menopause symptoms you want more information and support on?

🥵 Hot flushes?

😟 Anxiety?

😴 Sleep struggles?

💪 Confidence dips?

🤯 Brain fog?

…or maybe one of the lesser-known symptoms that doesn’t get talked about enough?

👇 Drop your top struggles in the comments (or DM me) and I’ll make sure the Christmas Meno Countdown is tailored to give you what you need to not only survive, but thrive this Christmas

💪 🩷🎄🩷🎄🩷

Love,
Lucie ###

Navigating The Menopause Maze

P.S. Happy Saturday! 🎉 What are you up to today?

I’ve got a mini adventure planned. I'm off to Sheerness Dry Cleaners to drop off my son’s suit, a quick stop at Specsavers to fix my rebellious glasses, then swinging by the charity shop with a bag of clothes, and a visit to Howdens to pick up a threshold (adulting at its finest 😄).

And even more excitement later, when I’ll be sorting through even more stuff and uploading a bunch of Christmas clothes to Vinted, let the festive decluttering begin! 🎄✨

07/11/2025

Quiet night after all! After a week of Privacy & Security questions, document updates and general QA and Compliance shenanigans, my little grey cells and consequently my body are shattered.

AC/DC, GnR and Yungblud on the Tube of You are adding some energy and noise to the evening 🤘🤘🤘

Can't complain too much though as my tweaked HRT regime has really helped a lot with exhaustion this week.

Happy weekend to all you beautiful Meno Warriors 🩷🩷🩷

Pic from a Halloween party in Marden a few years ago 🤣

03/11/2025

✨ Our Biggest Menopause Meet & Mingle Yet — and here's What We Learned ✨

Sixteen of us gathered together tonight, and the room was buzzing with wisdom, laughter, and the kind of care that only women walking this path together can offer each other 💜

We were joined by the brilliant Raine Aldous Nutition, who shared grounded, practical insights for navigating the menopause years with more ease, nourishment, and self compassion. Here are just a few golden threads from our conversation:

🌿 Food as Medicine:

🥚A lacto-ovo diet (milk + eggs) can be beautifully supportive in the menopause years

🦴 Vitamin D + Calcium are essential allies

🥩 Low ferritin might be behind that “on a boat” dizziness. Pair iron with vitamin C, and avoid caffeine for an hour after taking it

🥣 Protein-rich breakfasts are key: think eggs, porridge, flax, chia, walnuts

🐄 Low-fat yoghurt may help raise estrogen

🍯Honey is harder to break down than we think

🍾 Alcohol is a carbohydrate (often causes inflammation, and is harder to metabolise as we get older)

🧘‍♀️ Anxiety is the symptom she sees the most. Yoga can be very beneficial not just physically but mentally.

Two great resources were shared by our Meno Warriors:

Yoga Zone https://share.google/joQxrZkGP0SZTTJ2P

Yoga with Adreiene https://share.google/iKLeP71Nt9tVqNV0p

🥣 Batch cooking is a power move.

Meal planning gives you more control, more nourishment, and less decision fatigue. Wholefood Online is a great source for nuts, seeds, and linseed.

🧁 Bonus treat: Lorraine’s 3-ingredient brownies

- 3 ripe bananas
- ¼ cup cacao
- ½ cup peanut butter
Bake with love and enjoy with tea (just mind those tannins 😉)

💧 Gentle reminders

🩷 Drink more water (the Plant Nanny app is fab!)

🩷 Tackle one thing at a time

🩷 Focus on your symptoms, not the noise

🩷 Reduce what inflames: caffeine, alcohol, sugar, processed food, meat

This evening reminded me we’re not meant to do this alone. When we gather, we remember our power. We share recipes, and resilience, reverence, and realness.

If you were at the meeting tonight, thank you for showing up. If you weren’t, we saved you a seat for next time 💫

Address

Maidstone
Kent

Website

https://navigatingthemenopausemaze.co.uk/

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