Menopause Myths: Snake Oils Sales and Other Shiny Nonsense

Happy World Menopause Awareness Month to everyone who’s ever Googled night sweats at 3 am and been told to buy a special ring that apparently not only cures all your menopause symptoms, but also makes sourdough rise.

The conversation about menopause is finally mainstream, which is brilliant. The downside is that mainstream comes with megaphones. And megaphones love a miracle solution.

Here’s the pattern we see far too often. You feel awful, you search for answers, you’re bombarded by influencers with glowing skin and a discount code. You try the thing. It doesn’t work. You feel like the problem is you. Rinse and repeat.

You start to wonder if you’re broken, weak, or simply destined to live life as a human lava lamp. Meanwhile, your bank account is on a supplement-only diet and your finger is turning a fetching shade of leprechaun.

Let’s get real. Below are the biggest myths doing the rounds right now, why they’re nonsense, and what actually helps when you’re over 40 and dealing with real bodies, real lives, and real schedules.

Myth 1: There’s a one-size-fits-all menopause plan

If you’ve ever been sold a plug-and-play protocol that promises to solve hot flashes, brain fog, weight changes, mood swings, and your neighbour’s barking dog in 21 days, here’s your sign to step away - as quickly as possible. Menopause is universal, yes, but the way it shows up is not. Genes, medical history, stress load, sleep, movement, nutrition, trauma, medication, and the sheer chaos of daily life can all change the experience for every woman. A single plan can’t cover all of that, and trying to force-fit yourself into one almost always backfires.

What helps: Personalised support. A sensible blend of medical care plus coaching that meets you where you are. It may not sound glamorous, but it works.

Myth 2: If it’s natural, it’s harmless

Nature gave us both sunshine and sharks. Natural is not a safety guarantee, and dosage definitely matters. Many herbal blends are fine in context, but some interact with medications, other supplements, or are wrongly dosed - as if the producers spun a roulette wheel and went with wherever it landed. The other classic is the pile-on effect: five different products with overlapping ingredients that collectively make your liver file a complaint.

What helps: Choose evidence-informed products with known sources, proper doses and a clear purpose. Better yet, work with a qualified practitioner or coach (hello, that would be us!) who can advise you, so you don't have to rely on questionable sources. Fewer bottles may mean better results.

Myth 3: Jewellery that balances hormones

Look, if your bracelet or earrings could regulate endocrine feedback loops, they would be in every endocrinology textbook. Some jewellery is beautiful, but none of it replaces physiology. Green skin is copper oxidation, not a detox. If all that detox or balancing jewellery worked, hospital pharmacies would look more like Pandora.

What helps: Tools that change the inputs your body actually uses: sleep routines, stress management, nutrition, movement, environment, and, when appropriate, medical therapy.

Myth 4: You just need more willpower

Willpower is a battery, not a personality trait. Menopause can increase sleep disruption, pain, anxiety, and overwhelm, and each one drains that battery. Then on top of it all, the internet suggests waking up earlier to do more. Result: heroic burnout with zero progress.

What helps: Systems beat willpower. Plan and prep once, benefit many times. Make decisions easy and reversible. Think tiny actions, repeated often, guided by someone who knows the terrain.

Myth 5: Weight gain is inevitable: give up now

Weight regulation is more complex in midlife, yes. Metabolism, muscle mass, insulin sensitivity, sleep, and stress all shift things. But inevitable disaster isn’t the only option. What’s unhelpful is swinging between restriction and resignation - with a side of guilt - or buying into the latest slimming supplement. At best, those supplements may make you poo more for a while, and at worst, they may contain harmful ingredients. Either way, they don't help you create the lifestyle that will keep you healthy for years to come.

What helps: Strength training you’ll actually do, protein at each meal, fibre that keeps you full and your gut happy, and sleep that doesn’t treat you like a rental car. It’s not flashy, but it is effective.

Myth 6: Hormones are either dangerous or magical

Hot take: they’re neither. They’re tools. For some women, HRT is a game-changer; for others, it’s not appropriate or simply not desired. Both are perfectly legitimate and OK. The extremes are what cause trouble: fear-mongering on one side, panacea promises on the other. Your history, risk profile, and goals all matter. Nuance isn’t sexy on Instagram, but it saves your sanity. Individual solutions tailored to your specific needs are the right answer.

What helps: A conversation with a clinician who stays current on menopause research, plus lifestyle coaching that supports your system whether you use HRT or not.

Why so many smart women get sucked into the noise

Because you’re tired, busy, and human. You want relief, and you you want it NOW. And frankly, you deserve it. Clever marketing plays on urgency, fear, and hope. Then add the shame swirl: "why isn’t this working for me?" and you’ve got the perfect storm. Look, I've been there. Bought the bottle. No judgement here.

What actually moves the needle

At Fabulous Beyond 40 we organise everything under four pillars. Not because we love tidy boxes, but because complexity needs a map.

THINK

Your brain is your command centre. Self-talk, boundaries, and stress regulation change what you reach for at 10 pm. Micro-practices work: one minute of box breathing before a meeting, a short pause before you say yes, and a kinder internal monologue when you look in the mirror.

EAT

Food is fuel, not punishment. Anchor your meals with protein, pile on colourful plants, keep carbs that love you back, and hydrate like you mean it. Blood sugar balance may be boring to talk about, but it's absolutely brilliant to feel.

MOVE

Muscle is midlife magic. Two to three short strength sessions a week maintain lean mass, stabilise joints, and support metabolic health. Walks count. Ten minutes counts. Perfection can just sit down and be quiet.

LIVE

Sleep routines, sunlight, joyful connection, and the life admin that keeps future-you grateful. Menopause symptoms don’t only live in the body; they live in your calendar, your career, your relationships, and your environment.

Coaching: the missing middle no one advertises

Here’s what’s rarely mentioned in the land of instant answers. Most women need a bridge between medical advice and everyday habits. That’s what coaching does. It’s not a luxury; it’s a lifeline that turns information into action. Your GP can adjust medications in the 8 minutes they're allowed to spend with you. A coach takes the time to help you build the right systems so that taking care of yourself stops feeling like a second job. Real life, real barrier removal, real progress.

A practical reset for October

Pick one action from each pillar. Keep it tiny, doable, and make it fun where you can. Here are a few ideas:

• Think: Write a five-line brain dump before bed. Get the ping-pong out of your head and onto paper.
  

• Eat: Add 20–30 g of protein to your first meal of the day. Notice the difference in hunger and energy levels later.
  

• Move: Choose one lift you’ll get stronger at this month: squat, hinge, push, pull. Track reps like a boss.
  

• Live: Guard your bedtime like a celebrity guards their skincare secrets. Aim for the same time most nights. Keep your phone outside the bedroom (yes, you CAN!).
  

If you like to put a name to what you're doing, call it having a Positive Messy Attitude: Show up imperfectly. Iterate loudly. Celebrate tiny wins.

The point isn’t to impress the algorithm; it’s to feel better in your actual life.

A few final thoughts from your coach:

You’re not broken, you’re not late, and you don’t need a magic ring. You need support that respects both your biology and your calendar. Ask better questions, choose fewer, better tools, and give yourself credit for being here and still trying.

That’s strength. That’s leadership. That’s fabulous.

If this hit a nerve, tell us which myth has tripped you up and what you want clarity on next. We're listening, and we're in your corner.

And if you need answers for your unique situation, we invite you to book your Menopause Impact Assessment. After 45 minutes together, you'll have a better overall picture of your symptom load, what you're already doing well, and a simple roadmap to help you start feeling better, fast. Go to https://impact.fabulousbeyond40.com/ and book your session.