By the age of 54, 80 per cent of women have stopped having periods. So if you’re reading this, you’re either going through the perimenopause in which case your periods are erratic, or they’ve stopped for a whole year, in which case you are now officially menopausal. The menopause is still a bit of a taboo subject, so start talking to your friends about what you and they are going through. It’s important to understand what’s happening to your body. You need to manage the menopause – it’s not an illness and you will cope. Some women can suffer a range of symptoms from hot flushes to insomnia, but these are usually intermittent, and approximately 30 per cent of women have no symptoms at all. If you do suffer severe symptoms, try alternatives like acupuncture or herbal supplements before taking HRT. As with any drug, HRT comes with a range of side effects but also an increased breast cancer risk. It’s been said before, and it’s worth saying again – exercise is a wonder drug. As well as...