I suffered with depression on and off for many years and know what it’s like to feel that life is not worth living.

I have been offered antidepressants many times - including for menopause symptoms - but they don't address the real underlying issues. Plus they only work for a minority, are highly addictive, and can make things worse.

My youngest sister committed suicide the day after starting to take them.

So what's the alternative?

This is what works for me:-

1. Exercise gets the blood and endorphins flowing and helps you get out of your head and into your body. It really lifts your mood.

2. Meditation – 20 minutes once or twice a day keeps you grounded and in the present moment. Since taking up transcendental mediation in 2002 I’ve not suffered since.

3. Sleep – seems like a catch-22 as it can be hard to sleep when you’re down, but without a good 7-8 hours sleep every night you’re going to feel a whole lot worse.

4. Good nutrition - eating a diverse range of different types and colours of vegetables and fruit feeds your gut bacteria. Your gut and brain are connected if you didn’t know.

Have you noticed you feel more depressed since being in menopause?

Would love to know, as well as what works for you?