Waking up at 4am, increased anxiety, dry skin, fatigue, memory loss? Sound familiar? As our hormones begin to change from about age 40, there are many of these types of symptoms we may notice creeping in, but many of us still do not understand that these are symptoms of perimenopause, a drawn-out period of time when your body’s reproductive system slows down until you hit menopause, actually the technical term for the full year anniversary of not having a period. When broadcaster Lorraine Keane learned she was perimenopausal, she decided to make some lifestyle changes to help minimise the impact on her daily life.

TV presenter, broadcaster and journalist, Lorraine Keane is the first to admit she is not shy about discussing often controversial subjects. “I am from a large family, the second eldest of seven children and we are all talkers. I recall bumping into my secondary school Maths teacher on Grafton Street having left school ten years previously. I loved Maths and really liked Ms Hayes but I was the bane of her life – I never shut up! The first thing she said when she saw me was “Lorraine Keane! Well, it just shows you, now you are being paid to talk”.

However, Keane admits that one subject floored her: perimenopause.

“I didn’t think it applied to me; I was only in my 40s, why would I want to talk about something that had nothing to do with me?”

Looking back, Keane admits her attitude was a combination of ignorance and denial. “At the time, at just 43, I had probably been in perimenopause for five years. But I didn’t know because I never bothered to learn. I’d always skip those magazine and newspaper features on menopause – peri- or otherwise – thinking ‘that’s not for me’.”

As a result, Keane says she suffered – badly at times – and in silence. “When I finally realised that all my symptoms including low energy, mood swings, not depressed, but very low sometimes, restless sleep, feeling anxious, irritable, reduced libido, were hormone-related and I could have helped them, I was shocked and very annoyed with myself for not knowing.”

At that point Keane decided to become a Brand Ambassador for Cleanmarine MenoMin and make it her mission “to shout from the rooftops” so that other women did not have the same experience as she had and could “live their best lives in their 40s, 50s and beyond”.

Broadcaster Lorraine Keane

In fact Keane has come full circle and is now looking forward to menopause. “No more periods? I can’t wait, and because I have all the information I need, I am looking forward to getting through menopause and coming out the other side.”

Knowledge is key and Keane’s wish is that other women have all the information and support they need to thrive. “In Asia they call menopause ‘Second Spring’ and I now see it as just another stage on our hormonal journey as women.”

Keane fully intends to enjoy her own “Second Spring” and is actively ensuring this through some key lifestyle changes – through diet, exercise and supplements.
Firstly diet; “I am a total foodie and love my wine – so to be able to enjoy both I have to exercise, and the benefits on my mental health and mood are phenomenal. For me it’s all about moderation and a little bit of discipline. That way you don’t have to deny yourself anything.”

As for exercise, her new favourite pastime is swimming in the sea. Her friend Susan got her hooked. “Susan is a few years older than me and I asked her, out of curiosity, if she had had a bad menopause. Her answer stayed with me. She said, ‘I think I exercised through my menopoause so I’m not sure I really noticed’.”

Top tip: Take a natural supplement such as Cleanmarine MenoMin – an all-in-one Omega 3, phytonutrient and vitamin blend specifically formulated to give nutritional support to perimenopausal and menopausal women.

“Exercise is hugely important for our hormone health. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a gruelling workout in the gym; for me it’s an early morning dip in the sea, Pilates classes (on Zoom), and getting out in the fresh air and walking the dogs every day.”

Keane is honest about her quest to find the perfect supplement too. “I have tried all sorts of lotions, potions and supplements over the years promising to help me with my PMS, my hair loss, my adult acne, my low energy, my brittle nails, joint pain, itchy skin and night sweats. Invariably I have been left disheartened with a pretty hefty hole in my purse.” Keane has now found ‘the one’: “What I love about Cleanmarine MenoMin is that it contains the right combination of ingredients for perimenopausal and menopausal women and it’s an Irish brand too.”

“Cleanmarine MenoMin helps me feel balanced, my energy levels are normal and my hair and skin look great.” A unique all-in-one Omega 3, phytonutrient and vitamin blend, it has been specifically formulated to give extra nutritional support for perimenopausal and menopausal women.

Lorraine Keane’s Tips to Minimise Menopausal Misery:

Read: “A fantastic 70 page guide called the Essential Guide To Female Hormones covering all five life stages with advice from experts on exercise, skin, mental health, nutritional health and hormone health. It’s free in all health stores and pharmacies and to download at www.Cleanmarine.ie.”

Keep the conversation going: “Talk to your friends and daughters in order to get rid of the stigma of menopause. It shouldn’t be a taboo subject. Talking about my hormonal struggles has really helped me. I know by talking I’m helping others to share too. I am passionate about talking hormone health now as it is empowering to look after ourselves and take control of our health.”

Listen to this podcast: “Lets Talk Hormone Health” with Dr Mary Ryan, Catherine O’Keefe and Fiona Brennan on www.Cleanmarine.ie, on Spotify, iTunes and on Sound Cloud.

Don’t overlook the importance of sleep: “Before I realised I was perimenopausal and started taking Cleanmarine MenoMin, I had really disrupted sleep. I’d wake between three and five times in eight hours and each time it might take me 20-30 minutes to get back to sleep. Now I generally sleep through. Having uninterrupted sleep changes your mood, energy, attitude for the day ahead. It is vital. I am also less anxious and less stressed. I don’t sweat the small stuff any more.”

Take: Cleanmarine MenoMin, available at pharmacies and health stores nationwide, learn more at www.cleanmarine.ie.

Need to Know: Each capsule of Cleanmarine MenoMin contains Omega-3, Biotin, Rosemary Extract, Soy Isoflavones with B Vitamins and Vitamin D3 to provide nutritional support aged 40+. Vitamin B6 helps regulate hormonal activity and along with Vitamins B1 and B12 it contributes to normal psychological function. Vitamin B2 contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and normal energy-yielding metabolism. Vitamin D helps maintain healthy normal bones and supports the normal function of the immune system. Cleanmarine MenoMin’s synergistic formulation is ideal for women in perimenopause and menopause who want to feel good every day. Cleanmarine MenoMin is available at pharmacies and health stores nationwide, learn more at www.cleanmarine.ie.