Your Body Is Changing
Hormonal changes can bring new symptoms and challenges. Understanding what’s happening to your body and your best options to support it as it changes, helps you take control and feel your best through every stage.
Perimenopause marks the years leading up to menopause when hormone levels fluctuate and periods become irregular. Symptoms may include hot flashes, sleep changes, and mood shifts.
Menopause is diagnosed after 12 months without a period, usually around age 45–55, bringing ongoing symptoms related to permanently low hormone levels.
Both stages require attention to lifestyle, nutrition, and psychological wellbeing to reduce risks of depression, loss of bone density and heart disease.
Effective management involves balanced eating, exercise, appropriate supplements, and sometimes hormone therapy, always personalised to individual health needs.
How vivaBALANCE Supports Each Stage of Menopause
vivaBALANCE is built on comprehensive testing. We don't guess; we measure. By analysing your unique gut microbiome and metabolic profile, we get a true snapshot of your internal biology, which is something that standard approaches cannot provide. The output is not a one-size-fits-all plan. It is a precise, personalised, and actionable strategy for nutrition and supplementation based on your body's specific needs, helping you navigate menopause with confidence and control.
This is the stage where hormonal fluctuations begin, often leading to subtle but disruptive symptoms.
This stage is defined by the cessation of menstruation and is often when symptoms are most intense.
After menopause, the focus shifts from managing acute symptoms to proactively protecting your long-term health.
Expert Answers
& Support
Provided by vivaLAB's Head of Translational Science and Dietetics, Dr. Pennie Taylor
Menopause is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, usually between 45 and 55 years old, signalling the end of a woman’s reproductive years. Some women may experience it earlier, especially if they have had surgery or certain conditions.
The main driver of symptoms is declining ovarian function and reduced hormone levels. In perimenopause, levels fluctuate and cycles become unpredictable. In menopause, oestrogen and progesterone remain low, leading to ongoing symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, bone density loss, and cardiovascular changes.
Women may experience mood swings, anxiety, depression, and challenges with memory or concentration. These are largely due to hormonal changes, but can also be affected by life stress and aging.
Many are linked to hormones, but psychological, social, and lifestyle factors also contribute. Some symptoms can overlap with other medical conditions, so consulting a healthcare provider is important for personalised advice.
A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats is recommended. Key nutrients include calcium and vitamin D (for bone health), omega-3 fatty acids (for heart and mood), and phytoestrogens from foods like soy and flaxseed. Supplements or hormone therapies may be advised under professional guidance.
Absolutely. At vivaLAB, support is rooted in a whole-person approach—beginning with an in-depth assessment of microbiome health, metabolic markers, lifestyle habits, and specific symptoms. This means recommendations and care plans are tailored to individual biology, needs, and health goals, empowering each woman to thrive confidently through every stage of menopause
Perimenopause is the transition period leading up to menopause, often beginning in a woman’s late 30s to early 40s. It features hormonal fluctuations (oestrogen and progesterone), causing changes in menstrual cycles and symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood swings.
Dr. Pennie Taylor
Head of Translational Science and Dietetics
As an Accredited Practising Dietitian with a PhD and extensive experience in clinical trials, Dr. Taylor is the critical link between our lab data and your real-world results. She specialises in translating complex biological insights into practical, sustainable dietary and lifestyle strategies that are achievable for our customers.
"Menopause isn’t the end of vitality, it’s your body’s quiet signal to rebalance, reset, and rise into your next chapter. With science, nourishment and support, we’ve got you!"
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