This is what menopause actually looks like (and no, it's not just hot flushes).

Thanks to our brand partner, Ostelin

When I was a kid, I remember overhearing my mum on the phone. I couldn't tell you who she was speaking to, but I'll never forget the way her voice dropped to a whisper as she talked about someone going through "the change". 

At the time, I had no idea what that meant. But the way she spoke about it made it sound like something shameful, something you'd never say out loud — only in hushed tones, just in case anyone was listening.

Fast-forward 40 years and we've come a long way with menopause. What was once whispered about is now being spoken out loud, openly and proudly.

These days, it's not unusual for two women to be chatting about season two of The Summer I Turned Pretty one minute and in the very next breath, swapping stories about chin hairs and dry, flaky skin.

Ironic, isn't it?

Life goes on, pop culture buzzes around us, yet these small, awkward realities of ageing sneak in alongside it, reminding us that growing older is a shared experience.

The truth is, menopause looks different for every woman, and our bodies often react in ways we least expect. But recognising this can be liberating — it reminds us that what we feel is real, valid and entirely our own. 

It also highlights the importance of tuning in to our bodies, giving ourselves grace and discovering the strategies that help us navigate this stage in a way that truly works for us.

During this time, some women may look to supplements or vitamins to support their health. Ostelin Menopause Support is one available option that has been scientifically formulated combining sage, ashwagandha, ginkgo and other nutrients to relieve symptoms associated with menopause. It contains nine key benefits in one tablet and it's an additional option to take along with a balanced diet.

This blend has been formulated to support women during menopause, helping to relieve night sweats and hot flushes. It also supports a healthy stress response in the body, reduces symptoms of mild anxiety, enhances sleep quality, maintains energy levels and supports bone strength.

While 80 per cent of women experience hot flushes and night sweats around the time of menopause, studies show there's so much more going on.

Other commonly reported symptoms include bodily aches and pains, dry skin, fatigue, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, urinary problems, bloating and sleeping difficulties. Oh, and then there are symptoms like unwanted hair growth, thinning of the scalp and skin changes. 

Women are often caught off guard when they discover that menopause affects more than just the body and can impact the mind as well.

And those shifts in our mental and emotional wellbeing can be just as challenging. Hormonal changes and sleep deprivation can contribute to mood changes, mild anxiety, irritability, forgetfulness and trouble concentrating or making decisions.

It's a lot to process, and realising that our thoughts and emotions are part of the same journey as the physical changes can be both surprising and reassuring.

In light of this, for many women, menopause becomes a turning point — a moment to stop, take stock and actually put their wellbeing back on the list (somewhere above the school notes, the laundry pile and that never-ending mental load).

Self-care has never been easy to prioritise, but menopause has a way of forcing us to do it. It's our body's way of saying, "Hey, pay attention to me".

Sure, a cooling sheet mask feels divine in the moment and a full night's sleep is pure heaven (when it actually happens), but what really matters is making space for self-care in a way that supports us long term. Because the more we focus on our health and listen to what our bodies are telling us, the better equipped we are to navigate this chapter.

And the good news? The whispers are gone. Menopause is no longer something women tiptoe around in hushed voices on the phone. 

Women are talking about it openly, swapping stories and comparing notes. And the more we do, the more we realise we're not alone.

Find Ostelin Menopause Support at your local pharmacy.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

Feature Image: Getty.

Ostelin is made to support health and strength for women. We believe all women are different and experience the stages pf life in unique ways, with different highs and lows. Ostelin has been scientifically formulated to support your very own health journey. Ostelin. Find your Strong.