I am 47 years old. My periods are becoming irregular - sometimes they arrive every 4 weeks but other times they arrive every 3 weeks or every 2 weeks. A few nights before my period I wake up and my body is soaked. I am also feeling very lethargic. I run 5KM three times a week, but despite this I am gaining weight, especially around my tummy and hips. Could this be the beginning of the menopause?

Hormonal changes can often affect the metabolism and carbohydrate digestion. Many women find that weight becomes an issue in the menopause.

It often seems that no matter how little you eat and how much you exercise, it makes no difference! I tend to suggest cutting carbohydrates right down and increasing good quality protein and vegtables - this can often help quite quickly.

Read more about it in the 'Low GL' Diet - you can get books on this from Amazon.

Sensible exercise is important but don't go overboard. The menopause puts tremendous strain on the body generally, and if you push yourself too hard the body can go into 'survival mode' and reduce the metabolism further!

Try eating little and often, with snacks between meals such as nuts, seeds, dried fruit, plain yogurt etc.

Also in the menopause your nutritional needs go sky high and exercising a lot can really deplete your stores so it is important to take a good sports nutritional supplement or have a good quality sports protein drink every day.

Changing periods is often one of the first signs that you are approaching the menopause and this kind of scenario is a common one!

Eileen Durward