I have previously suffered with fibroids and very heavy bleeding, so when the hot flushes and night sweat started I embraced the menopause as I saw it as a welcome relief from periods, which stopped in February. However what I didn't see coming was the painful muscles and joints (all over my body) and insomnia, not from the night sweats but a feeling of anxiety and constant vivid dreams. These symptoms are really taking its toll on me both physically and mentally. I don't want to go on HRT due to the health risk, so can you please, please recommend natural products which could help?

You can look at Devil's Claw for the joint pains. Drink nettle tea or take nettle tincture too, and avoid caffeine as much as possible. Drink heaps of plain water (but don't drink with food - leave at least 20 minutes between food and drink).
 
To help with the anxiety, focus on eating regularly - have something, however small, every 3-4 hours, e.g. a banana or some dried fruit or nuts, chewing them well to improve the absorption of the nutrients they contain. Also, keep your water intake up, as dehydration makes you feel way more panicky and gives you palpitations. As I said above, avoid caffeine if you can, as this can trigger panic attacks too, as can very sugary foods.
 
To help yourself further, start practising simple breathing exercises several times daily. Just something as easy as counting to 3 whilst you breathe in and again to 3 as you breathe out will be very helpful - you may be surprised at how good this is at averting panicky feelings. Get some gentle outdoor exercise every day if you can - just 10-20 minutes gentle walking makes you feel heaps better, as hormones circulate in the bloodstream so keeping active is a good fix.
 
Check your diet for wholegrains, dried fruit, nuts, seeds and green veg, as these are sources of magnesium and that is very stabilising for your adrenal glands. You could take an extra magnesium supplement too (e.g. Salus Haus liquid magnesium), and there is some in  our isoflavone supplement. Herbs such as Passiflora and Avena sativa can be extremely calming too.

Eileen Durward