The menopause is often portrayed as a bit of a ‘joke’ topic, but for many women experiencing it, it’s anything but.

A physically and emotionally challenging time, it can also be quite isolating, with many admitting to feeling confused about their symptoms and unsure what to do about them.

In fact, a recent survey by herbal remedies manufacturer A.Vogel reveals that the majority of menopausal women feel unsupported, 20 per cent feel lonely, nearly 40 per cent feel that experiencing symptoms is not a reason to visit their GP, while almost 30 per cent believe little can be done to relieve it anyway.

The findings come as no surprise to menopause expert Eileen Durward, who answers women’s questions via A.Vogel’s helpline and online Menopause Health Hub - www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause - and also writes a personal blog about her own experiences.

She’s keen to highlight there are lots of things women can do to make managing the menopause much easier, but first, it’s important to realise that its effects on people can vary greatly.

“There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the menopause, though most women will begin to experience some symptoms from 45 onwards,” she says.

Menopause can also affect women psychologically and emotionally. This can be due to hormonal factors, but also simply because it may be a challenging time and a significant period of change in a woman’s life. “Mood swings, irritability, feeling weepy and not like your usual self often occur,” says Durward.

In the survey, 51 per cent of menopausal women said they feel ‘on the shelf’, but Durward points out it’s “perfectly normal” to feel this way.

“As women, we all have confidence dips at the best of times, let alone when we’re going through such a big life change.”

But it isn’t all doom and gloom. Relief is out there, and the menopause certainly doesn’t mean you’re “passed it” and can no longer live life to the full.

Though people may not think it’s worth going to their GP, for anybody who experiences significant changes or symptoms it’s advisable to visit your doctor. Firstly, symptoms may be due to another cause, in which case they’ll need to be checked out. Secondly, treatments, like Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may be suitable.

However, for milder or ongoing symptoms which may be making your life a little miserable, there’s a wealth of information on the A.Vogel website.

Perhaps most importantly of all, preparing your body and taking good care of yourself through lifestyle measures – like healthy eating, being active and making time for relaxation - can make the world of difference. In fact, research suggests that setting aside just 30 minutes a day for relaxation can significantly reduce symptoms.

For more information visit www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause