World Menopause Month 2025: How Lifestyle Medicine Transforms Menopause Health
- Tim Hayden
- Oct 9
- 2 min read
Every October, World Menopause Month invites women everywhere to take charge of their health and wellbeing. At Bristol Health Hub, we’re proud to support this global initiative, raising awareness of how lifestyle and preventive health care can make a powerful difference during menopause.
This year’s theme, Lifestyle Medicine, is a timely reminder that the choices we make each day, what we eat, how we move, how we rest, and how we manage stress, directly affect not only our menopause symptoms but also our long-term health outcomes.
What Is Lifestyle Medicine?
Lifestyle medicine is an evidence-based approach to preventing, treating, and even reversing chronic disease through healthy habits. For women in midlife, it’s particularly effective at reducing common menopause symptoms and supporting heart, bone, and mental health.
The six key pillars of lifestyle medicine are:
Nutrition and Gut Health: A Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole foods, fibre, healthy fats, calcium, and phytoestrogens (from foods like flaxseed, soy, and chickpeas) can help stabilise hormones, boost energy, and protect bone health.
Physical Activity: Strength training, walking, swimming, or yoga can improve muscle tone, joint health, and cardiovascular fitness — all vital during perimenopause and menopause.
Restorative Sleep: Sleep disruption is common in menopause. CBT-i techniques, good sleep hygiene, and consistent bedtime routines can improve energy and mental clarity.
Stress Management: Chronic stress raises cortisol and can worsen hot flushes, weight gain, and fatigue. Mindfulness, journaling, and deep-breathing exercises are simple yet effective tools.
Social Connection: Maintaining positive relationships and community engagement supports emotional wellbeing and reduces feelings of isolation.
Avoiding Harmful Substances: Limiting alcohol, caffeine, and smoking can reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and support hormone balance.
Why Lifestyle Matters During Menopause
As oestrogen and progesterone levels decline, women may notice changes in metabolism, mood, sleep, and energy. Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and stress management can significantly influence these symptoms and your overall health.
Research shows that women who adopt lifestyle-based approaches combined with medical guidance where appropriate report better symptom control, improved bone density, and reduced cardiovascular risk.
Take Control with a Health Check
Our Health Checks give you a complete picture of your health, including cholesterol, thyroid, vitamins, and hormone balance, along with tailored lifestyle advice.
We believe that knowledge is power: when you understand your body, you can make changes that protect your heart, brain, and bones for years to come.
