How to Cheer Someone Up Going Through Menopause (Kind Ideas + What to Say)

Menopause can be rough. Mood swings you struggle to control, brain fog, losing all your confidence, hot flushes so intense you have to change the bedding in the middle of the night but that’s OK, you weren’t sleeping anyway and haven’t for months! Sometimes we’re all in need of a little pick-me-up so we’ve put together some pairings of a few kind words with a thoughtful gift that could help turn someone’s week around. Plus, they’re all from the UK.

Shop our full range of menopause gifts here, selected for women, by women! 

This article does not contain any medical advice, if you’re in need please see Menopause - NHS.

What To Say (and What Not to Say)

Our three quick rules for success (or at least to avoid making things worse):

1.     ASK what is needed right now? Offer to talk (and listen), quiet time or help with a certain task.

2.    OFFER one tiny thing they aren’t expecting to make their day better. A little treat, do a task without being asked or take something off their plate to give them time.

3.    Make saying NO easy! ‘This (insert fun activity here) could be lovely but I’d be equally happy curling up and watching a movie, what would you prefer?’ or adding the following to suggestions ‘No worries if not, there’s absolutely no pressure’ can help if she’s prone to saying yes even when she’s overwhelmed.

Quick swaps to make you her biggest supporter:

1.     Instead of ‘It’s just hot flushes’ – try ‘Symptoms you can’t control must be hard, would you like company or quiet tonight?’

2.    Instead of ‘Everyone goes through it’ – try ‘How was today for you?’

3.    Instead of ‘Have you not tried’ – try ‘Are you in the mood for ideas or would you just like to vent?’

4.    Instead of comparison stories – try ‘Tell me what it’s like for you.’

5.    Instead of focusing on appearance (good or bad) – try ‘How are you feeling?’, shift her focus away from appearance; even if she looks incredible, she might feel rubbish… remember the change in hormones during menopause can lower confidence levels.

If somebody you know is struggling and you’d like to help, check out more in-depth guidance from MIND: Menopause and mental health. 

Small Things that Help with Menopause

(No Grand Gestures Needed)

The following things might seem small to you, but on a bad day they could mean the world to her. Remember that strong women rarely ask for help, so make it easy for them to accept it… they’ll love you for it!

1.     Lower the room temperatures, or if she switches between hot and cold, hand over complete control of the thermostat!

2.    Make sure your plans are flexible: plan get-out-early contingencies, extra snack or coffee breaks if she struggles with fatigue and let her cancel at the last minute guilt-free.

3.    Take the pressure away from company, some days she might want to be cuddled right up to you, other days she’ll value personal space. Try to read her, or if you struggle, just ask! And don’t take it personally if she chooses some ‘her-time’.

4.    Try to be supportive of changes to her sleep routine: turn screens off near bedtime if they make it difficult to switch off, run her a bath if she wants to try that, be accepting if she makes your bedroom smell like a branch of LUSH in a bid to use lavender to finally get a few hours of rest!

5.    Don’t ask about the various lotions and potions that may have appeared in the bathroom- unless she wants to tell you, then listen. Menopause can cause any number of skin issues including dryness in places you really don’t want it!

Thoughtful Little Menopause Gifts by What They’re Going Through

Sleep and 3am Wake Ups: Sleep Routine Notepad & Lavender Foot Balm

The perfect sleep support menopause combo! Getting into good, calming habits can really give her the best chance of relaxing enough to fall asleep (or back to sleep) when needed. We all know the calming power of lavender and a notepad to try to calm her busy brain before bed and in the middle of the night can really help!

Hot Flushes and Overheating Moments: Hot Stuff Bamboo Socks & Aggressively Supportive Seal – Funny Encouragement Card

Not only do these fantastic socks add a bit of humour to the situation, bamboo is a naturally breathable material that can help keep your feet cooler during those internal inferno moments! Pair any of our supportive menopause gift ideas with one of our hilariously uplifting cards (if a seal isn’t for you, we also have a bee-themed card)! Remember, she’s going through menopause, she hasn’t lost her fantastic personality, if she found it funny before, she probably still will!

Brain Fog & Overwhelm: ‘Make a List, You’ll Feel Better’ Notepad & Believe in Yourself Recycled Eco Ballpoint Pen

One of the best ways to support somebody through menopause is to make life a little easier for them without being patronising. Snazzy yet simple stationery is the perfect gift. You can go for a sweary pen and sticky notes instead if that’s more her vibe!

Low Mood & Confidence Dips: I’m a Little Ray of F*cking Sunshine- Women’s Bamboo Socks & My Self-Love Mug

The perfect uplifting gifts for a woman suffering a crisis of confidence, remind her of how sassy and brilliant she is whether she’s out and about or having a night in.

How Partners, Friends and Colleagues Can Support Through Menopause

Partner: You love her and only want her to be healthy and happy so make sure you validate her feelings, be patient and understanding, and hand over control of the thermostat! Tiny rituals to make her day better without being asked will mean the world: Buy her a hand-held fan, make her favourite cuppa, take the dog out for his night-time toilet so she can switch off early!

Friend: You already know her like a sister and are probably winning on the empathy stakes anyway so just top it up! Become the planner and give her an out if she isn’t in the mood. Offer short mood-boosting walks and check in regularly, even if she’s turned you down before. Go the extra-mile by giving little pick-me-up gifts… we know somewhere great you can get them…

Colleague: Keep it professional and quiet, you can chat about common experiences but don’t ask prying questions or make assumptions. If you’re giving a gift keep it desk-friendly, colourful, useful and uplifting! Try some jazzy sticky notes, a supportive mug or a bright pen! Most importantly- never comment on appearance, but don’t walk on eggshells either, kindness goes a long way.

If They Want to Explore Treatment or Support for Menopause

If you’d like to know more, or are struggling and need more help, the following resources are great sources of information. NHS for general guidance, MIND for mental health support, Dr. Louise Newton for evidence-based practice. You can never be too well informed! 

Ready to Send a Little Meno-Love?

Shop our full range of Menopause Support Gifts here, don’t worry if you’re on a budget, you can always find something to fit their personality perfectly from our Under £10 Range!

Plus, if you sign up to our email list you get 10% off your first order and FREE delivery when you spend over £30.

Remember to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest for more thoughtful gift ideas and to generally see us make a fool of ourselves for your entertainment!

Lots of love,

Natalie & Steph

The Laughing Sisters 

FAQs

What helps someone during menopause feel supported?

Listening, giving validation and little practical touches that make her day easier and take the pressure off will all go a long way – try short walks, making her favourite cuppa or suggesting a box-set binge that you know she’ll love!

Is humour OK during menopause?

Of course! As long as she’s laughing with you, never make jokes at her expense. Remember, she’s going through menopause, she hasn’t had a personality transplant. Her sense of humour is still brilliant, but life is just a bit more difficult and she can’t control it. Making her laugh might make her day!

What’s a good small gift for someone going through menopause?

Try a letterbox gift combo! A new notepad, pen and pair of socks are all great ideas plus you can pick a theme you know she’ll love and add a personalised note to make her feel special!

How to help someone going through perimenopause?

Remind them that you’ll always be there to support them and make them giggle!