The Menopause Myth: Are Too Many Women Being Misdiagnosed?

Menopause has finally begun to receive the attention it deserves. After decades of being whispered about, brushed aside, or shrugged off as “just part of getting older,” women are now speaking openly about hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes and more. 

Awareness is undoubtedly a good thing, but with awareness has come a new concern.

Are we entering an era where everything is being blamed on the menopause?

With nearly 50 symptoms now regularly attributed to peri-menopause and menopause, from headaches to dry eyes, from itchy skin to joint pain, from palpitations to brittle nails, some clinicians worry that genuine health conditions are being missed because the default diagnosis has become:

“It’s just the menopause.”

Let’s explore the issue.

A Wider Understanding... or Over-Attribution?

In the past, many women struggled to access any recognition at all. Severe symptoms were frequently dismissed, under-treated, or mislabelled as stress or anxiety. The rise of menopause education has corrected much of that imbalance.

But while expanding the symptom list has helped many women connect the dots, it has also created new grey areas. When nearly every change in the body is said to be part of peri-menopause, it becomes harder to tell when something else is going on.

Examples include:

Persistent headaches that may actually signal migraines, vision changes, or blood pressure issues.

Dry eyes, which could point to autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome.

Joint pain, sometimes a sign of arthritis, injury, or inflammatory conditions.

Fatigue, which can be caused by thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, sleep disorders or infections.

Palpitations, occasionally related to heart conditions rather than hormone shifts.

When every one of these is explained away as hormone decline, opportunities for earlier diagnosis of unrelated medical problems may be missed.

The Risk of Self-Diagnosis

Social media has played a huge part in menopause awareness, with both positive and negative consequences.

Women understandably want answers, and communities online can be incredibly supportive. But there’s a growing trend of women concluding they are peri-menopausal based on generic symptom lists, sometimes without medical assessment. This can lead to:

Overlooking underlying health conditions

Starting HRT without ruling out other causes

Feeling frustrated if treatment doesn’t fix everything

Normalising symptoms that should be investigated

Self-advocacy is vital, but it must go hand-in-hand with proper healthcare guidance.

The Consultation Conundrum

GPs face a difficult balance. Many women want menopause acknowledged and managed properly. But equally:

Not every ache, pain, or mood shift is hormonally driven.

Not every symptom is automatically resolved by HRT.

Not every patient in their 40s or 50s is peri-menopausal.

Time-pressed appointments make it tempting to choose the simplest explanation, especially when the woman herself suspects “it’s the menopause”.

Some doctors fear that menopause has become a “catch-all label”, convenient, fast, and familiar, instead of a diagnosis reached through careful assessment.

Why It Matters

If an underlying condition is mistaken for menopause:

Treatment may be delayed

Symptoms can worsen

Women may end up discouraged or mistrustful of healthcare

Long-term health may be affected

The aim is not to undermine menopause awareness, quite the opposite. Proper menopause care must include ruling out other causes first, not instead.

What Women Should Do

A balanced approach helps prevent misdiagnosis while still ensuring menopause is treated seriously.

1. Track symptoms carefully

Patterns, timings, triggers and durations matter. A symptom diary can help you and your GP spot what fits menopause — and what does not.

2. Ask your GP to rule out alternatives

This may include thyroid tests, blood pressure checks, iron levels, ECGs or autoimmune screenings depending on the symptoms.

3. Don’t assume every new symptom is hormonal

New, severe, sudden or persistent symptoms should always be checked.

4. If starting HRT, monitor improvements realistically

Some symptoms may improve, some may not — and that can be a clue.

5. Remember: perimenopause can co-exist with other conditions

You don’t stop getting illnesses just because your hormones are fluctuating.

A More Nuanced Conversation

The menopause should neither be minimised nor used as an umbrella term that obscures other diagnoses. Greater awareness is empowering — but only when paired with accurate medical assessment.

The real “menopause myth” isn’t that symptoms exist. It’s the belief that menopause is the explanation for everything a woman experiences in midlife.

Women deserve more than one-size-fits-all answers. They deserve personalised, thorough healthcare that recognises the complexity of the body — hormonal or otherwise.

If in doubt, ask questions, seek clarity, and don’t be afraid to push for proper checks. Identifying the real cause of symptoms is not only reassuring, it can be life-changing.

See also:- "The Curious Case of Fad Medical Diagnoses: Stress, Viruses, and Obesity" https://thats-health.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-curious-case-of-fad-medical.html

Home care provider Elder urges Chancellor to end pension rumours ahead of Autumn Budget

Pete Dowds of Elder

Elder, the UK’s leading care home care platform, has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to put an end to rumours regarding tax-free pension changes by providing clarity ahead of the Autumn Budget.

Media and analysts have speculated that Reeves could make changes to the 25% tax-free Pension Commencement Lump Sum (PCLS), which, in turn has seen a heightened level of pension withdrawals and anxiety for taxpayers.

According to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the money withdrawn from pensions soared by more than a third in 2024/25, jumping from £52.2 to £70.9 billion.

Elder Founder and CEO Pete Dowds said that the Chancellor’s silence on the PCLS was forcing families into irreversible financial decisions.

“The cost of leaving families in this state of uncertainty is far too high, and savers who have worked diligently to provide for their later years deserve stability and assurance,” he told That's Food and Drink.

“We strongly urge the Chancellor to address this speculation now, before the Budget, to safeguard the retirement plans of millions of hardworking families.”

Mr Dowds said that the PCLS was the most crucial source of accessible capital used to cover the upfront costs of care for self-funding families, and if changes were made, it would also undermine the Government’s ‘Home First’ objective to support people at home and improve hospital flow.

“The tax-free lump sum provides the essential bridge that allows people to afford high-quality live-in care, keeping them independent and actively supporting the reduction of pressure on the NHS,” he said.

“Any budget measure that diminishes the value of this tax-efficient capital would hasten the depletion of families’ savings, undermining their ability to self-fund.”

FACTFILE:-

In its tenth year, Elder is an award-winning home care platform that matches older adults with self-employed carers for flexible and personalised home care across the UK. 

Founded on the principle that home is the best place to age, Elder is committed to delivering solutions that enhance patient dignity and provide families with peace of mind. Elder has helped to deliver more than 15 million hours of home care across the UK.

https://www.elder.org/live-in-care

Cabbage Soup for the Soul: The Myths and Truths of the Cabbage Soup Diet

Whilst eating my wife's delicious homemade cabbage soup one lunchtime we began reminiscing about the famed cabbage soup diet of several years ago and I realised it was time to write a blogpost about this largely forgotten diet of several years ago.

Few diets have been as talked about, tried, and teased as the famous Cabbage Soup Diet. From office lunchrooms to celebrity gossip magazines, this simple, low-calorie plan has achieved near-legendary status over the years. 

But how much of what we hear about it is true, and how much is pure myth? Let’s lift the lid on the pot and see what’s really simmering inside.

The Origins of the Cabbage Soup Diet

The Cabbage Soup Diet dates back to the late 1980s or early 1990s, though its exact beginnings are unclear. 

Some claim it started as a hospital diet to help patients lose weight quickly before surgery (a claim with no real proof), while others say it emerged from the rise of fad diets promising dramatic, short-term results.

What’s certain is that it’s a seven-day eating plan centred around a hearty vegetable soup made mostly from cabbage, onions, celery, peppers, tomatoes, and carrots. Other foods are introduced in a strict daily pattern—such as fruit on day one, vegetables on day two, bananas and milk on day four, and lean meat by day five.

There were even Cabbage Soup Diet tablets that were available filled with essence of cabbage soup at one time! 

The Myths

Myth 1: You Can Lose a Stone in a Week

It’s true that many people lose a noticeable amount of weight during the week, sometimes half a stone or more. 

However, much of that is water weight, not fat loss. When you cut calories drastically and reduce carbohydrates, your body sheds water quickly. Once normal eating resumes, most of that weight tends to return.

Myth 2: It’s a Healthy, Sustainable Diet

While cabbage and vegetables are full of nutrients, the diet itself is not balanced. It’s low in protein, essential fats, and key vitamins such as B12. Following it for more than a week can leave you feeling tired, irritable, and lacking energy.

Myth 3: Cabbage Has “Fat-Burning” Powers

Unfortunately, there’s no magical fat-burning enzyme in cabbage. The diet works purely because of extreme calorie restriction, not because cabbage has any special slimming properties.

The Truths

Truth 1: It Can Kick-Start Weight Loss

If you’re looking to break unhealthy habits, a short stint on the Cabbage Soup Diet can help you feel lighter, reduce bloating, and reset your mindset around portion sizes.

Truth 2: It Encourages Vegetable Intake

The diet does make you eat a lot of fresh vegetables, something many of us could do more of. For some, it’s a helpful way to rediscover the value of home-cooked, plant-based meals.

Truth 3: It’s Cheap and Simple

In a world full of expensive shakes and subscription meal plans, the Cabbage Soup Diet stands out for being budget-friendly. A head of cabbage, some onions, and a few tins of tomatoes cost very little, making it appealing to anyone wanting to cut back without breaking the bank.

So, Should You Try It?

If you’re after quick but temporary results, the Cabbage Soup Diet can deliver that short burst of motivation. But it’s not a long-term solution. The NHS and most UK dietitians advise focusing on a balanced plan with lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fruit and veg for sustainable, healthy weight management.

That said, there’s nothing wrong with using the Cabbage Soup Diet as a gentle reset—just don’t expect miracles or plan to live on cabbage forever!

Cabbage Soup for the Soul

Perhaps the real secret isn’t in the diet at all, but in the ritual of making soup. Preparing fresh vegetables, simmering them slowly, and sitting down to a warm, comforting bowl can be therapeutic in itself. The process helps reconnect us with real food, and that’s nourishment for both body and soul.

The Cabbage Soup Diet may not be a magic solution, but it remains a reminder that sometimes the simplest foods can help us start again. If you do give it a go, treat it as a short-term boost, then move on to a more balanced, sustainable way of eating.

As for the Cabbage Soup Diet tablets or Cabbage Soup Diet soup mixes that are available, we can make no comment on their efficacy!

If you want to try the Cabbage Soup Diet plan, here it is:-

Printable 7-Day Cabbage Soup Diet Plan

Disclaimer: This plan is for short-term use only and should not replace a balanced, long-term diet. Always check with a healthcare professional before starting any restrictive eating plan.

Day 1 – Fruit Day

Unlimited cabbage soup

Any fruit except bananas

Water, black coffee, or unsweetened tea

Day 2 – Vegetable Day

Unlimited cabbage soup

Any vegetables (fresh, steamed, or raw) except peas, corn, or beans

A baked potato with a small knob of butter for dinner

Day 3 – Fruit and Vegetable Day

Cabbage soup plus any fruits and vegetables (no potato today)

Keep hydrated with water or herbal tea

Day 4 – Banana and Milk Day

Up to 3 bananas

2 pints (1.2 litres) of skimmed milk

Cabbage soup as often as you like

Day 5 – Protein and Tomatoes

6 fresh tomatoes

Lean beef, chicken, or fish (approx. 300–400g total)

Cabbage soup at least once during the day

Drink at least 6–8 glasses of water

Day 6 – Protein and Vegetables

Lean beef, chicken, or fish

Any non-starchy vegetables

Unlimited cabbage soup

Day 7 – Rice and Vegetables

Brown rice, vegetables, and cabbage soup

Sugar-free fruit juice optional

Modernised Healthy Cabbage Soup Recipe

This version keeps the soul of the original but improves the nutrition and flavour — so it’s tasty enough to enjoy beyond the diet week.

Ingredients (serves 6–8)

½ medium white cabbage, shredded

2 onions, diced

2 celery stalks, sliced

2 carrots, chopped

1 green pepper, diced

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tin (400g) chopped tomatoes

1 litre low-salt vegetable stock

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp paprika

½ tsp chilli flakes (optional)

Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pan and gently sauté the onions, garlic, celery, and carrots for 5 minutes.

Add the peppers, cabbage, and spices; stir well.

Pour in the stock and tomatoes, bring to a gentle boil.

Simmer for 30 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Taste and adjust seasoning; garnish with parsley before serving.

Nutritional Note:

This soup is low in calories, high in fibre, and full of vitamins A, C, and K. Adding a handful of cooked lentils or beans makes it more balanced if you’re not strictly following the diet.

Bringing It All Together

Whether you’re looking to reset your eating habits, save money, or simply enjoy a warming, wholesome soup, the Cabbage Soup Diet can be a mindful start to a healthier routine, just remember it’s the first step, not the destination.

That's Food and Drink: Is Fasting a Valid Lifestyle Choice or Just Anothe...

That's Food and Drink: Is Fasting a Valid Lifestyle Choice or Just Anothe...: Fasting has become one of the most talked-about health trends in recent years.  From intermittent fasting apps to celebrity endorsements, it...

Understanding the Side Effects of Each COVID-19 Vaccine: What You Need to Know

As the UK continues to manage COVID-19 as an endemic virus, vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness and hospitalisation. 

However, it’s perfectly natural to want to understand what side effects might occur after getting your jab or booster

Here’s a straightforward guide to the most common, less common and rare side effects for each of the main vaccines used in the UK: Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty), Moderna (Spikevax), Novavax, and the earlier AstraZeneca vaccine.

Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty)

Pfizer is the most widely used COVID-19 vaccine in the UK and has an excellent safety record.

Common side effects:

Soreness or redness where the injection was given

Fatigue and mild headache

Muscle or joint pain

Slight fever or chills

Feeling generally under the weather for a day or two

Less common effects:

Swollen lymph nodes (especially under the arm where you were jabbed)

Nausea or mild dizziness

Rare effects:

Myocarditis or pericarditis (inflammation of the heart or its lining), particularly in young men. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, or a fluttering heartbeat. This reaction is rare and usually mild.

Moderna (Spikevax)

Moderna works in a similar way to Pfizer and offers strong protection.

Common side effects:

Pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site

Headache and tiredness

Mild fever or chills

Muscle or joint aches

Less common effects:

Swelling of the lymph nodes

Temporary skin rash or itching

Menstrual cycle changes, though these are short-term

Rare effects:

Myocarditis and pericarditis, again mainly seen in younger men after the second dose. These cases are rare and usually resolve with rest and medical care.

Novavax

Novavax, a protein-based vaccine, is sometimes offered as an alternative for those who cannot have an mRNA vaccine.

Common side effects:

Tenderness at the injection site

Headache, fatigue, or feeling feverish

Muscle pain or nausea

Less common effects:

Mild swelling of lymph nodes

Dizziness or slight changes in blood pressure

Rare effects:

Allergic reactions (very uncommon and treated immediately if they occur)

AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)

While no longer routinely used for boosters in the UK, many people received AstraZeneca for their primary doses.

Common side effects:

Soreness or mild swelling at the injection site

Fatigue and headache

Mild fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms lasting 24–48 hours

Less common effects:

Nausea or mild vomiting

Feeling faint or light-headed

Rare effects:

Blood clots with low platelets (thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome) – a very rare side effect, affecting fewer than 15 people per million doses

Severe allergic reactions (extremely rare and treated promptly)

What You Should Do After Vaccination

If you experience mild side effects such as soreness, headache or fever, these can usually be managed with rest and paracetamol. They are signs that your immune system is responding as it should.

However, seek urgent medical advice from NHS 111 or your GP if you develop:

Chest pain or persistent pressure

Shortness of breath

Swelling, blurred vision or severe headache

Unusual bruising or bleeding

A rash that doesn’t fade when pressed

COVID-19 vaccines continue to undergo thorough safety monitoring by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). 

Millions of doses have been safely administered across the UK, and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the small risk of side effects.

For personalised medical advice, especially if you have a history of allergic reactions or heart conditions, speak to your GP or local vaccination centre before booking your next dose.

Stay informed. Stay healthy. Stay protected.

For more updates on vaccination, health and wellbeing, visit That’s Health.

Why BMI Shouldn’t Be the Be-All and End-All of Weight Management

BMI is often used as the main measure of health and weight, but it can be misleading. 

Discover why BMI isn’t the full picture and what to focus on instead for better weight management and wellbeing.

Understanding BMI and Its Limitations

Body Mass Index (BMI) has long been used to classify people as underweight, a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. It’s calculated by dividing your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in metres squared).

While it’s easy to use, BMI doesn’t show what your body weight is made of, and that’s a serious limitation. It can’t tell the difference between fat, muscle, or bone, so it often gives an incomplete or misleading picture of overall health.

Why BMI Alone Can Be Misleading

Two people can share the same BMI but have completely different health profiles.

A rugby player or gym-goer might register as “obese” due to muscle mass.

Someone with a “normal” BMI might have higher visceral fat, the dangerous type that wraps around organs and raises the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

BMI can’t tell the difference between fat and muscle, nor does it show where that fat is stored. That’s why it should be used only as one part of a wider health picture.

Ethnicity, Age and Sex All Play a Role

BMI fails to account for natural variations between people.

Women naturally carry more body fat than men.

Older adults often lose muscle and bone density, lowering BMI without improving health.

People of South Asian or Black heritage may face increased risks of diabetes or heart disease at lower BMIs than standard NHS guidelines suggest.

Health is personal, and one size, or one number, doesn’t fit all.

Better Ways to Assess Health

For a clearer picture of your wellbeing, consider these more reliable tools:

Waist-to-hip ratio or waist circumference – A better measure of fat distribution and heart disease risk.

Body composition analysis – Shows fat, muscle, and water percentages.

Blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels – Key indicators of metabolic health.

Fitness and mobility – Flexibility, endurance, and energy are better measures of wellness.

Lifestyle habits – Nutrition, sleep, hydration, and stress levels all play major roles.

Chasing a “perfect” BMI can damage self-esteem and lead to unhealthy dieting or over-exercising. True wellbeing includes mental and emotional balance, not just physical weight.

If you’re working on improving your health, focus on how you feel — not just what you weigh.

Practical advice on ditching diet guilt and creating a healthier, happier approach to eating.

A Holistic Approach to Weight Management

Real, sustainable health comes from small, consistent habits — nutritious meals, regular movement, good sleep, and self-care.

Rather than striving for a number on a chart, focus on vitality, energy, and confidence. When you take care of your body as a whole, your natural healthy weight will follow.

BMI can provide a rough guide, but it shouldn’t define you. Every body is different, and health can’t be reduced to a single statistic.

If you want to understand your weight and wellbeing more deeply, speak with a GP, nutritionist, or fitness professional who looks at the full picture, not just your BMI.

How to Cope When Your Spouse Has Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Practical advice for couples facing the winter blues.

As the days shorten and the light fades, many people notice a dip in mood and energy. For some, however, this goes far beyond feeling “a bit low.” Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a recognised type of depression that appears during the darker months, and if your spouse suffers from it, both of you may feel its effects.

This guide from That’s Health explores how you can support your partner while looking after your own wellbeing too.

Understanding SAD in Relationships

Seasonal Affective Disorder is caused primarily by reduced sunlight, which disrupts the body’s internal clock and affects serotonin and melatonin levels. Common symptoms include:

Persistent low mood or loss of interest in usual activities

Increased need for sleep or difficulty waking up

Irritability, withdrawal, or low motivation

Cravings for carbohydrates or comfort foods

Difficulty concentrating

When your spouse’s personality seems to shift with the season, it can be upsetting, but recognising that SAD is a genuine medical condition, not a choice, helps you respond with empathy rather than frustration.

Encourage Professional Help

If your spouse hasn’t yet sought medical support, encourage them to talk to their GP. There are effective treatments available, including:

Light therapy lamps that mimic natural sunlight and help regulate mood

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which teaches coping techniques

Medication (such as antidepressants) for more severe cases

Offer to help them book an appointment, attend with them, or keep a mood diary to share with their doctor. Sometimes, simply showing that you take their condition seriously can be reassuring.

Create a Light-Filled, Positive Environment at Home

You can make your home a brighter, more uplifting space with a few small adjustments:

Open curtains fully during the day and trim back any outdoor plants blocking windows

Use bright, warm lighting indoors

Encourage time spent near windows or outdoors when possible

Consider using a dawn simulator alarm clock that gradually brightens in the morning

Even subtle increases in light exposure can make a noticeable difference.

Coping as a Couple During the Darker Months

When one partner is struggling, it affects the relationship as a whole. Try to face the season as a team.

Plan together: Schedule small, enjoyable activities to look forward to

Keep communication open: Talk honestly about how you’re both feeling

Don’t take withdrawal personally: Your partner’s quietness or irritability is likely a symptom, not a reflection of you

Remember, the goal is to support your spouse, not to “fix” them. Listening and being present can often be the best medicine.

Encourage Gentle Activity and Fresh Air

Exercise can lift mood and energy, but motivation can be low during a SAD episode. Instead of pressuring your spouse, offer gentle encouragement:

Invite them for a short walk together during daylight hours

Try easy home workouts or stretching sessions

Combine movement with pleasure, for example, a stroll through a Christmas market or along a scenic winter trail

It’s the companionship and gradual reintroduction to light that count most.

Look After Yourself Too

Supporting a partner with depression can be emotionally draining. To stay strong and positive:

Maintain your own social life and hobbies

Share how you’re feeling with trusted friends or family

Seek support if you begin to feel overwhelmed

You can only truly support your spouse if you protect your own mental wellbeing too.

Winter Wellbeing Tips for Couples

Make the darker months more bearable, even enjoyable, by embracing small, cosy routines:

Cook comforting, nutritious meals together

Watch uplifting films under a blanket

Explore seasonal activities such as light festivals or winter crafts

Take Vitamin D supplements (check with your GP first)

Add bright indoor plants to boost mood and oxygen levels

Finding light, warmth, and laughter in simple moments helps combat the gloom of winter.

When to Seek Urgent Help

If your spouse shows signs of deep depression, such as hopelessness, talk of self-harm, or emotional withdrawal, don’t wait. Seek help immediately.

In the UK, you can contact:

Samaritans – Call 116 123 (24/7, free)

NHS 111 – For urgent mental health support

Mind – Visit mind.org.uk for advice and online resources

Supporting your spouse through Seasonal Affective Disorder takes patience, understanding, and teamwork. By combining medical guidance, gentle lifestyle changes, and plenty of compassion, you can help them find hope and stability even in the darkest months of the year.

And remember, spring will come again, bringing warmth, sunlight, and renewal for you both.