Red's Better Perimenopause Awards are here – see the winners
There was a time in the not-so-distant past when the word ‘perimenopause’ was barely understood and acknowledged by medical professionals, let alone the women who were experiencing it.
Thankfully, we now recognise that the precursor to menopause (when a woman’s periods officially stop) can have a significant impact on our wellbeing due to gradually declining oestrogen levels.
Unlike our mothers and grandmothers, most of us are now equipped with the knowledge to recognise the signs of perimenopause (which usually starts in a woman’s 40s, but can be earlier or later, and can last up to 14 years), such as irregular periods, hot flushes, brain fog, anxiety, insomnia, vaginal issues and dry or dull skin. We’re also able to find solutions that can help, although with an increasingly saturated market of products geared towards perimenopause and its symptoms, it can be a challenge to sift out what really works.
This is why we’ve pulled together our first-ever Better Perimenopause Awards, featuring products chosen by a panel of expert judges we’ve selected because they know their fields inside out.
Of course, we know that there’s no silver bullet for managing perimenopause. If you’re struggling, your doctor may prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or medications to deal with certain symptoms. With or without prescription medication, lifestyle changes are also key to mitigating many of the hormone-related changes at this time – from exercise (particularly strength-training), to eating well (think colourful food, gut-friendly bacteria and plenty of protein), to getting enough sleep. We’re all for taking a holistic approach and finding the right balance for you, with a combination of medication (if needed), lifestyle adjustments and products to help you feel your best.
So, think of this as your definitive guide to perimenopause shopping – from supplements to skincare and sexual health to sleep – that can make this time of life that bit better.
MEET THE JUDGES
Helen Normoyle
Co-founder of My Menopause Centre, a community and clinic that allows women to take control of their menopause and help them thrive.
Dr Linia Patel
Dietician, performance nutritionist and author of Food For Menopause.
Kate Rowe-Ham
Fitness coach, founder of Owning Your Menopause app, and author of Owning Your Menopause: Fitter, Calmer, Stronger in 30 Days.
Alexandra Friend
Red's Senior Beauty Editor.
Arielle Steele
Red's Health & Wellbeing Columnist.
SUPER SUPPLEMENTS
Best all-rounder
Indi Supplements All-In-One Health Support, £55 for a one-month supply
‘In an ideal world, we’d get all the nutrients we need from our diets – but the reality is many of us fall short, and this can be more noticeable during perimenopause. The use of food-state ingredients in this powder supplement means the nutrients are more bioavailable, therefore more easily absorbed into the body.’ Dr Linia Patel
Best protein powder
Form Pureblend Protein, £26 for 26 servings
‘Protein is so important during perimenopause because it can help to reduce cholesterol and body fat, maintain lean muscle mass, and protect against osteoporosis. This powder has no flavourings or added sugars and is great for adding to porridge or smoothies.’ Dr Linia Patel
Best for hair and skin
The Beauty Chef Glow Inner Beauty Essential, £45
‘This supplement uses an inside-out approach, focusing on the importance of nutrition and gut health for skin health and overall wellbeing. This is an all-in-one supplement that contains probiotics and prebiotics, as well as nutrients such as biotin, zinc and a whole range of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, known to support both healthy skin and hair.’ Dr Linia Patel
Best for your gut
VSL#3 Concentrated Probiotic, £55.99 for a box of 30
‘Research has suggested that the bacterial composition of our mouths, vagina and gut can be altered by declining oestrogen levels, which can cause bloating and altered bowel movements in women. VSL is one of the most researched and effective probiotic supplements out there. Just remember to keep them in the fridge!’ Dr Linia Patel
Best for brain fog
Strong Nutrients Pure Fine Creatine Powder, £22.50
‘Although it’s commonly known as a workout supplement, evidence indicates positive effects of creatine supplementation on brain fog, mood, and cognition for perimenopausal women. This is a great, high-quality creatine supplement.’ Dr Linia Patel
Best for sleep
Montgomery + Evelyn 'Calm Me’, £24.99
‘Magnesium is involved in more than 600 bodily biochemical reactions, playing an important role in stress management and sleep. Some research has suggested that magnesium can help improve sleep duration and quality specifically during the menopause. This is a fantastic supplement that includes three different kinds of magnesium, alongside other nootropics including L-theanine, which can calm the nervous system.’ Dr Linia Patel
Best for sexual health
Hum ‘Private Party’, £27.50 for 30 servings
‘Changes in our vaginal microbiome may exacerbate vaginal symptoms such as dryness and irritation, as well as increase the risk of UTIs. There is research suggesting that a lactobacillus dominated vaginal microflora is protective against changes in the vagina, and that a lactobacillus probiotic supplement can help to alleviate symptoms. This supplement contains three probiotics that help to support a healthy vaginal microbiome, as well as cranberry extracts that can help offer protection if you’re prone to UTIs.’ Dr Linia Patel
Best collagen product
Vital Proteins Marine Collagen, £44.79
‘Research for hydrolysed collagen supplements is quite limited, but the studies that have been done do look promising, not just for skin elasticity, but joint and bone health. This marine collagen powder is sourced from fish scales, meaning it’s highly bioavailable. I find this product particularly soluble and, overall, a good-quality and well-priced option.’ Dr Linia Patel
Best CBD product
Holistic Herb Premium CBD Oil, £44.99 for 30ml
‘There’s a lot of buzz surrounding CBD for its role in supporting relaxation and reducing anxiety, but not all CBD is created equal. This product uses micro-emulsified oils for superior bioavailability, meaning it can deliver more of the active CBD, as well as a more rapid onset that helps make it more effective. Before using a CBD product, consult your doctor to ensure it is safe for you.’ Dr Linia Patel
Check with your GP when you start taking new supplements, so that they can be aware of any interactions with other medications you’re taking.
MOVEMENT MAKERS
Best all-over health tracker
Oura ring, from £299
‘Wearable devices can be great motivators to get you moving more, heading to bed earlier and more conscious of your stress levels. Most will help you measure your Heart Rate Variability (HRV), which is a measure of how well your vagus nerve is working (an indirect indicator of stress and recovery). The Oura ring is super comfortable if you’re not a fan of wearing a watch, especially for sleep-tracking.’ Dr Linia Patel
Best fitness tracker
Garmin Venu3S, from £449.99
‘When fatigue, anxiety and sleepless nights can make it so easy to lose motivation, a good fitness tracker is game-changing for keeping moving (which, in turn, helps with myriad perimenopause symptoms). This watch has tons of benefits, including personalised sleep coaching, detailed cycle tracking (including measuring basal body temperature) and tailored analysis of how your workouts affect your body.’ Kate Rowe-Ham
Best leggings
Sweaty Betty Power Leggings, £88
‘I will always opt for these leggings, thanks to their unmatched comfort and support. There is also a new addition to the power leggings with an inbuilt gusset, which is great for women in perimenopause who have intermittent bleeding or leaks.’ Kate Rowe-Ham
Best sports bra
Under Armour Cross Back Bra, £32
‘Sore boobs can be common during perimenopause, so you don’t want a sports bra to put pressure on your boobs and aggravate any pain. I love this one, as it’s particularly comfortable and super supportive, enabling you to carry on with your usual routine when soreness strikes.’ Kate Rowe-Ham
Best pelvic floor trainer
Elvie Trainer, £169
‘It’s common for women to have pelvic floor issues (including incontinence) during perimenopause due to the decline in oestrogen. This trainer is brilliant because it measures your pelvic floor contractions and helps you master Kegel exercises to build strength. I always recommend women add core work into their fitness routines to build pelvic floor strength, too.’ Kate Rowe-Ham
DOWN-THERE SAVIOURS
Best lubricant
YES OB Oil-Based Lubricant, £17.99
‘Some lubricants contain ingredients that can actually make vaginal dryness worse; it’s best to avoid ingredients such as glycerin, propylene glycol, perfumes and parabens, which can upset the pH balance of the vagina and cause irritation. All of the lubricants from Yes include natural and certified ingredients, designed with intimate health in mind. I love this one because it doubles as an emollient for the vulva.’ Helen Normoyle
Best for easing pain during sex
Ohnut Four Ring Buffer, £60
‘This recommendation comes from Eleanor Gardner, founder of Pelvic Relief. Ohnut comprises four stacking rings that sit at the base of the penis or dilator and compress to act as a buffer to prevent penetration reaching a depth that causes pain. This reduces anxiety and helps avoid the muscle spasms that develop as pain is anticipated.’ Helen Normoyle
Best sex toy
Lelo Sona 2 Cruise, £129
‘This recommendation also comes from Eleanor Gardner. A vibrator can help stimulate blood flow to the vaginal area, encouraging natural lubrication, increasing pleasure and improving intimacy. This powerful clitoral stimulator (designed to imitate oral sex) is soft and comfortable to use, with 12 settings so you can find the right intensity.’ Helen Normoyle
Best vaginal moisturiser
Dr. Barbara Sturm V Drops, £80
‘This serum contains both pre- and probiotics to maintain intimate microflora and support the skin barrier function. It also contains lactic acid bacteria to help retain moisture, prickly pear extract to soothe and reduce irritation, and hyaluronic acid for hydration.’ Helen Normoyle
Best period product
Nixi Body Leak-proof Underwear, from £16
‘Period pants are fantastic if you have irregular and unpredictable periods, heavy flow (to double-up on protection) or if you struggle with bladder leaks. These comfy, seamless pants come in a range of absorbency levels – with “heavy” absorbing up to 25ml of liquid.’ Helen Normoyle
Best for period pain
Myoovi Period Pain Relief Device, £69.99
‘This clinically proven TENS device delivers drug-free relief from cramps in the form of tiny pulses that block the pain signals from reaching your brain. Sticking comfortably on to skin, it can be worn discreetly under your clothes all day long.’ Arielle Steele
BEST IN BEAUTY
Best cleanser
Delo By Stefanie Williams The Hybrid Cleanser, £85
‘Dr Stefanie is an expert in midlife skin, in all its nuanced challenges. This cleanser isn’t cheap, but the smallest amount goes a long way – and if you’re baffled by late-onset acne, it’s so worth it. I see this as a medicine cabinet kind of product that I don’t have to use all the time, only as and when needed. It soothes skin, calms redness, clears blemishes and refines the skin’s tone and texture.’ Alexandra Friend
Best serum
Clarins Double Serum, from £65
‘A skincare icon that’s now on its ninth iteration, this serum takes a gentler and more universal approach to both damage repair and future-proofing than serums containing actives such as retinol. The latest version takes epigenetics into account, tackling elasticity, hydration, barrier reinforcement and radiance.’ Alexandra Friend
Best moisturiser
Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin, £29 (members’ price)
‘This is the platonic ideal of a moisturiser – substantial but not overwhelmingly heavy, with instant and long-term benefits. Recently rebooted with extra vitamins plus a lifting and firming complex, it feels immediately hydrating and leaves skin looking plumper and more glowy. One of those products that does a little bit of everything incredibly well.’ Alexandra Friend
Best for midlife sensitivity
Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair, £86
‘Falling levels of oestrogen can affect your skin’s ability to produce and retain ceramides, the fatty acids that help it hold on to moisture. This plush cream is packed with ceramides and other lipids, helping to nurture a compromised skin barrier, diminish redness and lessen sensitivity. As with everything in Tatcha’s Indigo range, it gives skin a massive boost at a time when it can look and feel depleted.’ Alexandra Friend
Best face mist
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Hydrator Mist, £35
‘Refreshing and cooling, this mist’s USP is that it can double as a lightweight moisturiser, since it contains decent amounts of hyaluronic acid, glycerin and niacinamide. Use in the warmer months in lieu of heavier skincare, or year round for an instant injection of juice. It’s also useful throughout the day to keep dry patches at bay and makeup looking fresh.’ Alexandra Friend
Best for elasticity
Olay Super Sérum, £19.99
‘Another worthy all-rounder, featuring everything skin needs (niacinamide, vitamin C, peptides and gentle AHAs) for a brighter outlook.’ Alexandra Friend
Best body cream
Hello Klean Cold Cream Anti-Dryness Body Cream, £18, from October
‘This innovative body moisturiser has a soft-serve ice cream texture and is brilliantly cooling (perfect if you’re experiencing hot flushes). Ridding you of dry scaliness that often accompanies a drop in oestrogen (without feeling like you have much on your skin at all), it also protects against irritation and further dryness caused by mineral deposits in hard water.’ Alexandra Friend
Best hair treatment
Aveda Invati Ultra Advanced Revitalizing Scalp Serum, £60
‘Hormonal imbalances during perimenopause can lead to hair thinning and even loss. Aveda – a pioneer in thoughtful hair-loss solutions – understands that a healthy scalp environment leads to better and more beautiful growth, and this is its most advanced solution yet. And while many hair thinning treatments feel very medical, this is a treat to have in the bathroom.’ Alexandra Friend
STAYING COOL & CALM
Best instant cooler
Evian Facial Spray, £3.99
‘This is a lifesaver for moments when you think you might self-combust: spray on your neck, back or anywhere else and it’s instantly cooling. I love that it’s inexpensive and fits in my handbag.’ Helen Normoyle
Best app for anxiety
Headspace, £9.99 a month (or £49.99 for a year) for full access
‘Features such as the life-themed guided meditations and breathing exercises can help with all kinds of worries that can be hugely exacerbated by perimenopausal anxiety. There are even walking meditations, perfect for when you’re short on time, and meditations that can help you to sleep.’ Helen Normoyle
Best cooling pyjamas
Modibodi Sleep Set, £59.99
‘These lovely pjs are made using the brand’s innovative ModiCool technology, designed to regulate body temperature, cool skin and absorb sweat. They’re super-comfortable and genuinely magical.’ Arielle Steele
Best antiperspirant
Sweat Guard Meno, £17.99
‘If you’re struggling with hot flushes and excessive sweating, a standard deodorant won’t help much; deodorants only protect against odour, while antiperspirants protect against sweat. This brilliant formula will keep you dry all day, plus it’s free from aluminium chloride and suitable for sensitive skin.’ Arielle Steele
Best fan
Dyson Cool Tower Fan, £225
‘Powerful and quiet, there’s no fan better for night sweats than this Dyson. This tower fan is aesthetically pleasing enough to keep in your bedroom all year round, and can even provide targeted relief (depending on which oscillation setting you choose). Its highest setting feels like an icy blast when you need it most.’ Arielle Steele
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