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Menopause typically occurs between the age of 40-55 and can be identified when no period has appeared in over a year.

Perimenopause occurs before menopause, lasting between 2-4 years. During this stage, hormonal imbalances occur and symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and mood swing are displayed.

Both menopause and perimenopause result in decreased oestrogen production, an important hormone in improving calcium absorption and retention, meaning less calcium is absorbed into the bones. This introduces the risk of osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become more brittleand fractures both more likely and dangerous, especially at the thighs and shins – and additionally, a fractured femur is life threatening.

Symptoms include bone pains and aches, especially at the joints and unfortunately, pain relief medication is not always effective in managing such aches.

So, how can osteoporosis be combatted?
A healthy lifestyle and diet can help.In the UK, we are a Vitamin D deficient nation, so ensure you’re getting enough sun or taking supplements to keep levels healthy.Daily 5-minute weight exercises also build up bone density and can be done at home, without the use of special equipment.Consistency is key in ensuring the exercises do help combat osteoporosis – just 5 minutes of daily exercise will help build up ample bone density.

So, it’s very important that perimenopausal and menopausal women incorporate weight bearing exercises into a daily routine to combat osteoporosis.