Table of contents for HOT Guide to Menopause 2025 in Fairlady

Somewhere between the last hot flush and the first time you realise you’d rather sleep than have sex, many women discover that midlife sex isn’t as effortless as it once was. Menopause doesn’t just affect fertility. It also messes with hormones, mood, sleep and energy, and often (naturally) your libido can plummet. Oestrogen and testosterone drop, vaginal tissue loses elasticity, and lubrication decreases. Add in stress, long-term relationship familiarity, self-image issues and the fatigue of endless life admin, and ‘not tonight’ shifts from a coy excuse to the default setting. WHERE DID THE MOJO GO? Dr Simone Silver, who specialises in metabolic and functional medicine, says the story is more complex than just hormones, although hormonal shifts are still a major player. ‘Loss of sexual interest, changes in arousal and…

Your parents’ stories are irreplaceable gifts that can save and enrich lives. Your family health history is one of the strongest risk factors for diseases such as cancer. IF you haven’t yet had a conversation with your mother about her experience of menopause, you should – because yours will probably be similar. Other factors come into play, but genetics plays a big role in determining both the timing of menopause and the severity of the symptoms. (Wouldn’t that be handy to know?) This is true in many instances: Your family health history is one of the strongest risk factors for diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. And if you’ve ever tried to complete a patient information form at a doctor’s office and come up short, you’ll know…

AS Marita van der Vyver puts in her book My Year of Fear and Freedom, the only rule of a senior gap year is to have as few rules as possible. The other, she adds, is to avoid highways and toll roads. Choose the slower, less familiar routes – as Robert Frost wrote, ‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less travelled by.’ And that’s what she did. The South African author embarked on a 15-month odyssey with her husband that took them across multiple countries and three continents, living entirely untethered. It’s a move many people in their 60s might baulk at, but for Marita it was the only way forward. MARITA’S LEAP YEAR Perhaps best known for her novel Griet Skryf ’n Sprokie,…

Q You were approached by the Wellcome Trust, a global charity foundation, to write about your experience of becoming a carer to your parents and your husband Greg’s mother. Your book, An Extra Pair of Hands: A Story of Caring, Ageing and Everyday Acts of Love, was the result. Is it something you’d have written about anyway? A I did hesitate because I don’t usually put myself on the page. I was nervous about it being so personal. But there are big health and social issues in the UK, and I thought it might help the Trust. And, of course, care is a feminist issue. By the age of 59 in Britain, women have a 50/50 chance of being a carer to an elderly or sick relative, an in-law or a…

We’ve all been there – staring at the ceiling at 3am while we miserably calculate how many hours of sleep we’re realistically going to (not) get, and how the hell we’re actually going to have a clear enough head to write the report/do the presentation/host the dinner party/all of the above when we finally drag ourselves out of bed. It’s pointless to focus on what kept you awake. Work stress? Earworm? Netflix binge? Annoying neighbours? The 3am dreads? You need to get on with your day, so forget about the cause of your sleeplessness for now (although you should definitely look into it when you’re less pressurised) and focus on these six positive actions instead. 1 PRESS ‘SNOOZE’ OR ‘STOP’? ‘He awoke at six, as usual. He needed no alarm clock.…

‘Collagen’ has become a frequently searched word on Google in recent years, and for good reason. It is the most abundant protein in the body, making up 25–35% of it, and it’s a key player when it comes to the firmness of skin. You’re probably heard the scary stats by now – that you start losing collagen as early as in your 20s, and that it drops by a rate of about 1% every year from the age of 25. And then there’s the real kicker (as in, kicking you while you’re down): Studies show that during the first five years of menopause, you can lose up to 30% of your collagen. We’re not going down without a fight, though – because there are things you might be doing that…

WORD SEARCH SUDOKU CRYPTIC 1 ACROSS: 1. Fired 4. Divides 8. Rejoinder 9. Coo 10. Excited 12. Anti 14. Injured 17. Rose 18. Turbine 20. Hoe 21. Andromeda 23. Settled 24. Slack DOWN: 1. Forced marches 2. Reject 3. Drifting 4. Dud 5. Very 6. Decent 7. Shot in the dark 11. Doubt 13. Bedrooms 15. Aspect 16. Cinema 19. Fail 22. Did CRYPTIC 2 ACROSS: 1. Hotel 4. Azimuth 8. Lexicographer 10. Liege 11. Teal 12. Oder 16. Alive 17. Ornithologist 19. Dormers 20. Elder DOWN: 1. Hole in the road 2. Tax 3. Locals 4. Argued 5. Images 6. Unheard-of 7. Harbour-master 9. Stationer 13. Cattle 14. Vinous 15. Revoke 18. Ind CODE WORDS HOW TO ENTER MEGAXWORD & BRAINTEASER Entries for the MegaXword and Brainteaser crossword competitions close on…

1 GUT FEELING Research suggests that hormonal changes alter our gut microbes, which has a profound effect on our overall wellbeing. Lower levels of oestrogen and progesterone seem to cause a decline in beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and an increase in pro-inflammatory microbes, which, in turn, could cause weight gain, bloating, mood swings and leaky gut. More than that, if the gut microbes that metabolise and recycle oestrogens are disrupted (which menopause often does), the efficacy of HRT can be reduced. Eating more fibre can help – and Cool Stool can help with that. It’s a 100% plant-based, highfibre super-seed combination of some of the most powerful prebiotic ingredients, including chia seeds, linseed, buckwheat, bran and psyllium husk. It’s good for bloating, bowel regularity and overall digestive comfort.…

1 WHERE ARE YOU AT, PERI, PRESENT OR POST? Menopause isn’t a single event, and it doesn’t happen overnight. It unfolds in three distinct phases. Perimenopause is the transition phase, typically starting in your 40s and lasting anything from three to seven years. This is when your hormone levels start to fluctuate wildly, causing irregular periods, hot flushes, sleep problems, anxiety and the infamous ‘brain fog’. In fact, it can feel a lot like skidding in a vehicle you can’t control any more. It can be easier to bear if you know that it’s a stage and it will pass – and you can take solace in the fact that you’re not the only one who’s terrified and anxious. Those feelings can be characteristic of this stage. In late perimenopause,…

What’s the point of living a long life if those extra years are spent battling illness, unable to do the things you love? That’s the question at the centre of Dr Peter Attia’s best-selling book Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity, which challenges readers to rethink ageing. He argues that while modern medicine excels at acute care (trauma, infections, surgery), it often fails when it comes to the chronic diseases that lead to poor health and death. Dr Attia’s vision for medicine is prevention, not intervention. He says life span is merely how long you live, whereas health span is the vital stretch you spend living well, free from disease and disability. His advice? Actively train for your own ‘centenarian decathlon’. Imagine yourself in your 80s or 90s, still…

Dancing enhances mobility and flexibility in adults of all ages. ‘There is a gradual and continual decline in flexibility as we age.’ IF your focus on stretching goes no further than tying your shoelaces, then the results of a new large-scale study looking at the links between flexibility and mortality may make for a sobering read. In the first investigation of its kind, an international team of researchers from institutions that include the University of Leicester and the University of Eastern Finland kept track of more than 3000 middle-aged men and women for a decade. Dr Claudio Gil Araújo, lead author and director of research and education at Clinimex – an exercise medicine clinic in Rio de Janeiro, where the data were collected and analysed – says the results show…

LOCATION: THE CELLARS-HOHENORT, AN SLH HOTEL KIMONO COMFORT This could just be the perfect dress for a beach holiday. Wear it belted over your swimsuit with flat rope sandals, or layer it over a tank top and a pair of linen shorts. STILL IN THE TRENCHES The mighty trench is still the best layering piece for cool mornings and breezy evenings. It’s such a versatile piece – you can wear it with barrel jeans, a button-up shirt and mules for a casual look, or throw it on over a dress with heeled sandals for cooler evenings. It just works (and keeps on working). KNITS AND PIECES Knits are inherently feminine, and flattering on most body shapes. A peplum emphasises the waist and adds a hint of vintage glamour. For a…

GET READY, JOBURG – HOT! TIME OUT IS HEADED YOUR WAY, AND IT’S GOING TO BE BOLD, BRILLIANT AND ABSOLUTELY NOT-TO-BE-MISSED! MENOPAUSE. MIDLIFE. NO FILTER. A POWERHOUSE PANEL of EXPERTS with all the latest & best advice, hosted by FAIRLADY editor Suzy Brokensha. ALL THE HELP YOU NEED, IN ONE ROOM.WITH BUBBLES & A FABULOUS GOODIE BAG! WHERE: The Venue, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg WHEN: Saturday, 27 September 2025, 10am–2 pm TICKETS: R895 (This includes expert talks, wine, canapés, a fabulous goodie bag and the latest issue of HOT!) BOOK NOW: quicket.co.za (Search HOT! Night Out Jhb) Tickets are limited. STEP INTO THE BEAUTY & WELLNESS LOUNGE, POWERED BY: • SKIN functional • Masodi Beauty • Solal • Revlon Colorstay ◗ Enjoy skincare insights, wellness tips and luxe beauty treats. ◗…

EATING & DRINKING 1 ANYONE FOR TEA? The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel & Spa in Constantia is a balm for the soul – especially if you’re in need of a calming cup of tea. And frankly, who isn’t? Their magnificent four-course High Tea is served in the Greenhouse, set in the gorgeous garden, with natural light pouring in. There’s something so restorative about sipping tea surrounded by lush greenery, particularly when it’s combined with their famous scones, complete with strawberry jam and, of course, Chantilly cream. The High Tea also includes a savoury course, and dainty and delicious tea sandwiches, followed by a choice of light, beautifully made confectionary. You can choose from 11 loose-leaf teas curated by master tea blender Mingwei Tsai, and the Nigiro tea or Lavazza coffee are bottomless.…

1 MARIANNE THAMM (64) Earthling, mom, journalist, author, dog lover, pessimistic optimist Q Do you feel more or less yourself now than you did at 20? A I feel rather a different self – not more, not less, but a more complete self. Not yet completed, mind you. Unless I get bitten by a venomous spider between now and the publication of this magazine. Then it would be completed. If we are lucky enough to live beyond 60, then the journey is one inwards, and can be as surprising and as pleasant as a quick trip to Ponta Malongane, or as awful as the London Underground in a heatwave. This is all metaphorically speaking. My essential self is still here; I know her well; we talk often. Q Has the…

Are you walking away from or being pushed out of long-held comfort zones? Have your priorities shifted as you’re inspired to think deeply about your relationships and purpose? All these upheavals are associated with your Saturn return. For a planet that’s astrologically associated with coldness, tradition and slow, inexorable cycles of time, Saturn is having a hot and trendy moment right now. Singer songwriters Adele, Ariana Grande and SZA have dedicated songs (and albums) to their first Saturn return (remember the upheaval of your life that happened when you were about 27–31?); and writers Millie Mackintosh and Elizabeth Day, podcaster and businesswoman Elise Loehnen, and creativity guru Julia Cameron have talked extensively about their second Saturn return experiences. The topic has caught the attention of fashion titles like Vogue. There’s…

Now is the time to make choices that can benefit vitality and resilience for decades to come. about your hormones Dr Simone Silver is a medical doctor specialising in individualised healthcare with a focus on menopausal health, chronic stress and burnout management. Here’s her prescription for sexual wellbeing and all-round happiness. ◗ The one thing I want you to know about hormonal wellbeing at 40+ If there’s one thing I wish I could impart to all women, especially during midlife, it’s this: Stop, slow down, and think about how best to nourish your needs and what living deliciously means to you! Our lives often revolve around a motto of do, do, do. But our nervous system needs attention; and rest and pleasure are essential for good health and positive experiences.…

‘Eat real food. Not too much. Mainly plants.’W We’re all familiar with the mantra, ‘You are what you eat,’ and there is increasing scientific proof that Hippocrates was right when he observed, more than 2000 years ago, that all disease starts in the gut. It’s a comforting thought because it means we have a modicum of control over our health in that we can choose what we eat. And that means eating good food. Of course, to do that, we first need to know what ‘good’ food is – but thanks to research, that definition is becoming increasingly clear. Ongoing research continues to highlight the dangers of the Standard American Diet (aptly abbreviated as SAD), which many South Africans unfortunately emulate, as well as the risks associated with ultra-processed foods…

WHAT TO LISTEN TO Hello Menopause! Stacy London (remember What Not to Wear?) returns with Season 3 of Hello Menopause! – the smart, sassy podcast that tackles everything from night sweats to hormone therapy with honesty and humour. With guests such as the authors of Estrogen Matters, Tamsen Fadal and Dr Somi Javaid, this show is your well-informed friend who’s not afraid to ask awkward questions. Think of it as group therapy – if your group included a former fashion guru and several leading scientists. With clear takeaways in each episode, it’s one of those rare things: helpful and fun. Add it to your walks immediately. Katherine Ryan’s What’s My Age Again? Comedian Katherine Ryan invites celebrities to take a biological age test, and the results are often hilarious, occasionally…

All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert A memoir about being captive to love or passion, and yearning to break free. Gwyneth: The Biography by Amy Odell A revealing account of Gwyneth’s relationships, career evolution and… Goop. Swallows by Natsuo Kirino A witty novel exploring the complexity of surrogacy and the injustices of class in modern day Japan. CLOSING DATE: 16 JANUARY 2026 ACROSS 1. Internet letters 4. Imprison 7. West Indies’ … Rico 10. Slammed (door) 13. Thoughtless 15. Adapts to stage play 17. Cronies 19. Dog lead 21. Perfumed powder 23. Dark Italian vinegar 25. Elaborately 28. Parchment roll 29. Good Friday period 30. The States (1,1,1) 32. Prepared (for task) 36. Computer key 37. Mexican mister 38. Less outgoing 40. Twirl 42. Stacks 44. Runny…