The Menopause Manual
Launching our new free guide to perimenopause and menopause
Last year, following the success of Menopause Mandate’s MM40+ campaign, menopause was included in the NHS over-40 health check. It was an important step forward, and one we were proud to help secure.
But we also knew that one brief health check could never tell the whole story of menopause.
Across the last three Menopause Mandate surveys, one finding has been particularly clear: too many women are still getting most of their menopause information from social media, while only a minority are receiving it from healthcare professionals.
Social media can be a powerful source of support, solidarity and shared experience, but it is also full of conflicting advice and misinformation. At a time when women need clarity, reassurance and evidence-based guidance, this matters.
We are still waiting to see exactly what questions will be included in the NHS health check, but we know that a short screening appointment is unlikely to capture the full complexity of menopause. It cannot fully reflect the wide range of symptoms women may experience, the different ages at which perimenopause and menopause can begin, the importance of recognising premature menopause, or the nuances around HRT, other medications and lifestyle support.
That is why we created this booklet.
Written by Alice Smellie, with expert input from menopause specialist Dr Clare Spencer, Professor of Sport and Exercise Science Kiara Lewis, and nutritionist Emma Bardwell, and brought to life by the design brilliance of 3 Chillies, this free guide has been made possible thanks to the generous support of Theramex.
Our aim is simple: to provide a clear, accessible and easy-to-understand guide to perimenopause and menopause for anyone who needs it.
Inside, we explain the biology of menopause, outline common symptoms, cover the basics of HRT and other medications, and explore the lifestyle changes that can play an important role in women’s health and wellbeing.
We have also included links to trusted, evidence-based resources, including the British Menopause Society and Menopause Mandate’s own information and support.
This booklet is freely available to everyone. Please read it, share it, download it and pass it on.
Reliable information remains one of the most powerful tools we have for improving women’s health outcomes.