I am feeling tired all the time, my limbs are aching I have developed a lot of allergies. I was the most lively person going before the menopause. What can I take to help me ?

The hormonal changes during the menopause put tremendous strain on the body generally and this often leads to fatigue. It is very important to look after yourself well at this time and make sure that your nutritional needs are being met. Check your diet and make sure that you are eating a good, varied diet with plenty of fresh foods and lots of water (dehydration can cause fatigue and if you are getting hot flushes it's doubly important to keep drinking!).

Rest and relaxation are vital and I know it can be very difficult if you lead a busy life but do make 30 min a day your me-time - this can reduce symptoms very quickly!

Joint pain may respond to herbs such as Devils Claw however, these symptoms can also be caused by other factors such as low iron or low thyroid so it would be a good idea to ask your doctor to test for these just to rule them out.

Eileen Durward