This week marked a major milestone with Menopause Mandate at the Houses of Parliament in London presenting its aims to media and members of Parliament. It has had amazing engagement from press and politicians alike, and the feeling of all communities actually being heard.
I’m thrilled to be part of this team with the likes of Davina McCall, Mariella Frostrup, Lisa Snowdon, Carolyn Harris MP, Alice Smellie, Penny Lancaster and Laura Biggs. I’m delighted to be alongside some incredibly inspiring women, men, experts, campaigners and personalities all wanting change and pushing for accessible and affordable HRT [hormone replacement therapy] and education for all. It is vital that we continue to campaign to make sure women’s health needs are not ignored.
Menopause Mandate was formed in April this year to campaign for better menopause advice and support for all.
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The Menopause Mandate’s Goals:
▪️Education for all
▪️An end to scaremongering
▪️Prescribing correctly
▪️Affordable and accessible HRT
As Mariella Frostrup has said: “Until every single perimenopausal woman has access to a trained expert and HRT is available & affordable, Menopause Mandate has not achieved its goals.”
As an Indian, South Asian woman, it’s even more important for me to be part of the Menopause Mandate. I was honoured to represent and be part of this in Parliament.
Over 400 women have shared their stories on the Menopause Mandate website, many of whom have lost their jobs, relationships or driven to the brink of suicide by the menopause. I have been sharing my personal journey through the perimenopause openly on my Instagram page in the hope that it helps to change the narrative, break the taboos and get us all sharing, talking and seeking help.
I’m 44 but have been experiencing symptoms since the age of 40/41 (suppressed and then confused with post-Covid symptoms).
Perimenopause can start up to 10 years before the menopause, but latest research is indicating that the menopause could be earlier for South Asian women (with 51 being the average age) so if you’re in your mid-30s please be aware of the symptoms and seek help.
HRT can be very important for long-term heart, brain and bone health, but whether you go on HRT or not, Lifestyle changes including exercise can be a huge factor to help through the peri/menopause and for overall health. I have done several live interviews with experts in my ‘Feel Good Talks’ Instagram IGTV Series to help provide evidence based and professional advice.
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I want men to also be involved in these conversations. It’s important to understand and support the women around you – your mums, your daughters, your partners, wives and in the workplace.
I have received so many touching personal stories of your suffering which makes me even more motivated to be a voice in this phase of life that every woman is going to have to go through.
This is to break the taboos. To raise awareness. To make it normal to share and talk about peri/menopause. To support one another. To know that we can get help and that there are solutions. You are not alone. Don’t suffer in silence. Let’s feel empowered to get help and find solutions that make us Feel Good. Let’s start normalising the conversation in our South Asian communities.
Lavina Mehta was awarded an MBE for services to health and fitness during Covid-19. She is passionate about promoting the health benefits of exercise to treat, prevent and reduce risks of common chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis. She is an Ambassador for Diabetes UK and also a big advocate of the mental health benefits of exercise, with her slogan to ‘Exercise for Sanity not Vanity’.
In her ‘Feel Good’ series with ‘iGlobal’, she shares stories from her journey into fitness and workout tips.
To help you Feel Good physically & mentally, use Lavina’s FREE “Exercise Snacks” & “21 Day Feel Good Workout Plan” on her Instagram IGTV & Gym Snacks on her Instagram REELS
Lavina also has special offers to join her NEW Online Training Package, which includes access to her private Feel Good Facebook Community with over 175 saved workouts for replay on demand, in a supportive community for women to share meals, recipes and tips!. It also includes to her Exclusive Feel Good App, which provides structured plans for the Gym & Home, to log and track your workouts, food, measurements and progress.
Tune into Lavina’s FREE seniors workout sessions every Friday at 10am GMT on Zoom. She also has over 100 saved sessions you can replay anytime that suits you, many translated into Gujarati with her mother-in-law on YouTube.
*Contact info here
