Coping With Early Menopause

Exercise

Not only does physical activity improve your circulation - thus helping your blood to deliver energy and oxygen to your brain to make you more alert and able to concentrate (and believe it or not is one of the great hot flash remedies) - but it also releases endorphins, the 'feel-good' chemicals in your brain.

You should try to do aerobic exercise (a brisk two mile walk, for example) three times a week. Keep your brain active by learning something new, doing crossword puzzles or reading interesting books. Yoga and tai chi, which calm both the body and mind, are also beneficial.

Diet

As well as a balanced diet with adequate amounts of vitamins, it's important to include oily fish in your meals. Omega-3 fish oils, the fatty acids in oily fish, have been shown to contribute to memory and are good for alleviating perimenopause symptoms. Foods rich in choline - eggs and soya products - can boost the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is key in maintaining memory. Antioxidants, found especially in fruits and vegetables, can protect your brain from free radical damage.

On the other hand, alcohol hinders concentration and interferes with your brain's ability to store and retrieve information, so should be avoided. Caffeine, too, is a known stressor; it will increase early menopause symptoms and make it difficult to sleep.