Women who take very little exercise are most at risk here so if you don't exercise its time to start and it doesn't have to hours in the gym.

Walk briskly, do the housework as exercise will help, just get your metabolic rate up.

Only, heat rooms to 20c maximum.

If you have a family, get your own room and keep it below this temperature.

Cut down or stop drinking alcohol, which will make you feel even hotter.

Eat lots of Soya products and take extra vitamin E and the well established supplement for women Evening primrose oil.

2. Weight gain

Weight gain is not a problem just because you come to menopause.

People of all ages are over weight so it's following the basics of a healthy diet.

As you get older you need less calories and in your 40s about 250 less.

This is not lot, you can easily cut down on snacks and get rid of refined foods and go for more natural products.

You will have more energy and more vitality - You are what you eat!

Get some good supplements. Omega 3 Fish oil is great for women to help skin and protects vital organs.

3. Mood Swings

The menopause can cause mood swings so get rid of high sugar and high starch diets and go natural.

Try a natural mood lifter and body tonic.

Ginseng and Gingko Bilboa are great body and mood tonics and are used as anti aging supplements. If you are having real problems with your mood try L - Tyrosine.

L-Tyrosine helps reduce stress, improves mental alertness and mood, acts as an appetite suppressant and has a great affect on sex drive!

In terms of mood its importance lies in its function as a nutritional ingredient for the synthesis of the neurotransmitters dopamine - which gives us pleasure and lifts our mood.

500 - 1,500 mgs a day or as your health practitioner advices.

4. Difficulty sleeping

Insomnia is another menopause problem so make sure you get inot a routine.

Go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time.

Make sure your bedroom is cool clean and un cluttered.

Don't drink alcohol to sleep and don't drink caffeine before you go to bed.

When you eat in the evening, go for a light high protein meal.

Other supplements

We have mentioned some already to help with the menopause and here are two great all round herbs to add.

Dong quai

Is an aromatic herb that grows in China, Korea, and Japan.

It is used by herbalists as a treatment for a variety of gynecological complaints from regulating the menstrual cycle to treating menopausal symptoms and acts as a general blood tonic.

It is seen as the ultimate, woman's herb and is discussed in our other articles.

DHEA

Is a hormone naturally produced in the human body.

DHEA is the sole precursor hormone responsible for the production and regulation of every steroid and sex hormone in the body.

DHEA is the only hormone that declines with age.

When it declines signal a variety of age related diseases. It is generally seen as a powerful anti-aging treatment. Again read our article on this for more details.

Face the Menopause head on

Many women find the menopause a problem others hardly notice it.

If you want to be in the latter group fight the menopause with the simple lifestyle tips and supplements above and the menopause won't get you down.