Most women who are in the throes of perimenopause experience everything from headaches and difficulty sleeping, to hot flushes, dry skin, low mood and aching joints to name but a few. Thankfully while there is no stopping this natural change in hormones, there are a number of supplements that can lessen the negative impact perimenopause and the menopause can have on our wellbeing.

It's likely you’ve heard of the usual suspects vitamin D, C, E and the B’s, plus omega 3, calcium, and phytonutrients. But have you heard that sage, pine, and magnesium can help too? Read on to discover exactly how…

Sage

Sage contains high levels of antioxidants, which is what has contributed to it being so successful as an alternative remedy for centuries. In recent years, studies have shown that it has mild phytoestrogenic properties, mimicking the effect of oestrogen in the body.

While research into the use of sage to relieve menopausal symptoms is limited, anecdotal evidence suggests that taking a sage supplement can help to ease sources of discomfort including night sweats and hot flushes, which along with mood swings, are the most common menopause side effects, experienced by up to 80 per cent of women.

Try… A.Vogel Menoforce Sage Tablets, for at least four weeks, which is when studies have found that hot flushes were reduced by 50 per cent.

Pine

Most of us associate pine trees with Christmas, but did you know that this this humble sapling also holds a powerhouse ingredient known to support women’s health? Pycnogenol, a potent antioxidant extracted from pine bark, has been scientifically proven to offer a multitude of health benefits such as helping to support and reduce symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause.

Pronounced ‘pic-noj-en-all,’ this natural plant extract originates from the bark of the maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and has been found to contain a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and phenolic acids, which offer extensive natural health benefits.

Featuring in more than 420 clinical scientific publications and with over 40 years of research attesting to its efficacy, pycnogenol has been shown to improve mood and anxiety, reduce fatigue and hot flushes and promote better skin elasticity and cognitive function.

Try… ēostre Perimenopause and Menopause Support Supplement, designed by menopause experts and scientifically proven to balance hormones and support women’s wellbeing during the perimenopause and menopause.

Magnesium

Women’s testosterone levels reduce slowly with age, but as women only produce around a tenth of the testosterone that men do, this reduction can cause noticeable effects to some women during perimenopause and menopause.

The effects of low testosterone can not only affect bone health, but also cause lack of energy, mood swings and low libido. Magnesium deficiency is linked to reduced testosterone levels, and supplementation has been shown to improve testosterone balance, which is extra important at this stage in life.

Try…West Lab Salts Magnesium Flakes, as research has shown that one of the most effective ways to absorb magnesium is through the skin, making a foot soak or full body immersion in a magnesium filled bath the optimum way to achieve this.