Nutrition

“My skin suddenly felt dried out – no matter how much cream I used.” Many women describe their first skin changes during menopause in similar words. What used to feel soft, elastic, and easy to care for now feels dry, thinner, or more sensitive. Some notice small cracks, itching, or a feeling of tightness – often without immediately understanding the cause. What many don’t know: the skin is one of the organs that reacts particularly strongly to hormonal changes. Estrogen, in particular, plays a central role in the health and structure of the skin. As estrogen levels drop with the onset of menopause, a new phase also begins for the skin. If your skin changes, it’s not a sign of neglect – it’s the expression of a natural process. That’s why it’s all the more important to understand what’s happening in your body, the role hormones play, and how you can actively support your skin.

“My trousers suddenly didn’t fit anymore – even though I wasn’t eating more or exercising less.” This is a common sentiment shared by many women in midlife who face unexpected weight gain. Even more frustrating: familiar strategies like eating less or moving more seem to have less effect than they used to. Over 50% of women gain weight during menopause. Long-term studies show that this amounts to an average of 1.5 kg per year – leading to up to 10 kg by the end of the menopausal transition. But it's not just the weight itself – it's also about how fat is distributed: shifting from hips and thighs toward the abdominal area. This development isn't only a cosmetic issue – it has real health implications. At the same time, our perception of body image, weight, and beauty is heavily influenced by external ideals. Advertising, social media, and societal expectations set standards that rarely reflect real life. What’s important: there is no such thing as a single ideal figure. What matters is how you feel – and what your body needs to stay healthy.

Menopause is often described as a time of change, but one crucial transformation that doesn’t get enough attention is its impact on bone health. Declining oestrogen levels can significantly affect your skeleton, leading to a loss of bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Menopause can be a challenging phase for many women, not only due to hormonal changes but also the wide range of physical and emotional symptoms it brings. Many of these symptoms—fatigue, joint pain, hot flashes, and sleep disturbances—can be exacerbated by chronic inflammation in the body. However, increasing evidence shows how an anti-inflammatory diet can not only alleviate menopause symptoms but also contribute to long-term health.

Many women will experience changes in body shape and composition at menopause. These changes can be among the most frustrating symptoms experienced at that time. Although actual weight gain may be modest for many women, it can add significantly to the burden for those women.