The Menopause Supplement Mistake Most Women Are Making — Without Realising It

So many women tell me they’re doing everything right in menopause — taking supplements, eating well, exercising, prioritising sleep, trying to manage stress — yet they still feel exhausted, low, or not quite themselves. The truth is, there’s one common mistake I see over and over again… and it could be the reason your supplements aren’t doing what you hoped. If you’ve ever wondered why you’re not feeling better, this article might be the missing piece.

This week, I had the pleasure of delivering a webinar on safe supplementation during menopause for a brilliant team at NHS Humber Teaching Trust.

One thing we talked about really sparked some conversation — before reaching for supplements, we need to make sure our core nutrients are truly where they should be. And when I say that, I mean at OPTIMUM levels for midlife women, not just inside the bottom or top of the 'normal' range.

It’s so easy to get swept up in “premium” menopause supplements promising quick fixes and miracle results. But even the most expensive blends won’t touch the sides if your foundational nutrients are low. Your body simply can’t do its best work without those basics in place.

A recent client of mine is the perfect example -

She came to me after spending hundreds of pounds on well-marketed menopause supplements… yet she still felt exhausted, flat, and like she was wading through treacle most days.

When we ran some simple tests, everything clicked into place — her vitamin D was extremely low, and her iron levels were depleted, which explained exactly why she wasn’t improving.

Once we corrected those foundations, the shift was incredible. Her energy lifted, her mood steadied, and she finally started to feel like herself again.

So, which nutrient is at the top of my list for midlife women?

Vitamin D

Why? Because it supports mood, immunity, bone density, muscle strength and hormonal balance — and most women in the UK have low or borderline levels.

Recent research is telling us:

• Women with low vitamin D often experience more intense menopausal symptoms such as low mood, fatigue, aches and poor sleep.

• Ensuring optimal vitamin D levels supports bone health during the menopausal transition.

• There’s growing evidence that vitamin D plays a role in metabolic health — something many women notice shifts with age.

The truth is: so many women I see are doing all the “right things”… but they are missing this one important part - making sure the foundations are in place and that they are supporting your health instead of working against it.

When was the last time you checked that you had your key nutrient levels checked? If it's a while (or maybe never), how do you know you're taking the right supplements for you and at the correct dosages?

If you’re feeling tired, flat, or not quite yourself lately, it might not be “just menopause” — it might be that your body simply isn’t getting what it needs.

If you’d like to get to the root of your symptoms with personalised testing and a plan that’s tailored to your body, message me or email me at - contact@donnapetersnutrition.co.uk 

This could be the missing piece of your jigsaw.

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A course of 3 consultations - £450. 

• 1:1 personalised health coaching, usually over 12 weeks

• Initial online consultation – 1.5 hours (Zoom)

• Food Diary Review

• Personalised Food Plan based on your individual state of health and your health goals

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