I personally think genetics has a lot to do with how the meno affects us. A good lifestyle e.g. diet and exercise is important but it a bad menopause is indiscriminate - highly capable and confident women can fall apart when meno hits. I am a life vegetarian and eat a diet high in isoflavines - I had a premature meno and, even with HRT, it's been tough. Now off HRT, I do take Red Clover and think this helps a bit but to say the meno is 'simply in the mind' or an ‘cultural attitute' is outrageous.
I am nearly 62 and been off HRT for over 18 months now - coping quite well but have had to tailor my life around what I am able to do. Still can't control my body temperature, still struggle to sleep, more troubles with joints etc.
I suspect the Asian genetics probably helps the body adjust better.
100 years ago, the menopause wasn't really an issue - so many women died before they got to menopause. If a women lived long enough and had bad meno symptoms, if she was lucky, she would lie on a sofa having the ‘vapours' BUT if she was unlucky she might be put into an asylum or undergo all sorts of horrendous treatments !!!
There is no doubt that more research and effective treatments need to looked into but the medical profession are very good at laying the blame, for all our ailments, on our lifestyle - so basically it is our own fault that we suffer!
DG x
If hot flushes are ‘all in the mind', why does HRT stop them??