You are not going mad.
Your body is trying to tell you something
Hot flushes, night sweats, weight that won't shift, anxiety that comes from nowhere, a brain that won't cooperate. These are real, psychological symptoms - and there is so much that nutrition and lifestyle changes can do to help.
I'm Sarah Flower, a registered nutritionist with over 30 years of experience. I've supported hundreds of women through every stage of menopause, and I've navigated my own hormonal health challenges, too. I understand - clinically and personally - how exhausting and isolating this time of our lives can feel.
MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS I WORK WITH
Menopause Symptoms -
let me help you
Do any of these sound familiar? If so, you are in the right place.
Hot flushes & night sweats
Poor sleep & night waking
Anxiety, low mood, brain fog, stress
Weight gain
Fatigue, low energy, burnout
Headaches & migraines
Low libido
Skin & hair changes
Joint pain & inflammation
Vaginal dryness, Lichens Sclerosis
Histamine sensitivity
Thyroid & adrenal health
Insulin resistance & blood sugar issues
Cortisol & stresss-related hormone imbalances
Itchy Skin
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH
Getting to the root,
of your symptoms
Nutrition plays a powerful role in how your body manages the hormonal shifts of menopause. What you eat directly influences oestrogen metabolism, cortisol levels, blood sugar stability, gut health and inflammation — all of which affect how severe your symptoms are. Rather than simply managing symptoms, a nutritional approach looks at the whole picture: your diet, your gut microbiome, your stress load, your sleep, and your hormones working together. This is why so many women find real, lasting relief through targeted nutrition support when other approaches have fallen short.
I offer a wide range of functional testing to go beyond what standard GP blood tests reveal. We discuss what is right for you, your symptoms and your budget - testing is always optional.
These tests give us a very detailed picture of what is really happening hormonally, in your gut and at a cellular levels - so we are not guessing or applying a 'Ms Average' approach.
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Menopause affects every system in the body — gut, thyroid, adrenal, cardiovascular — and needs a joined-up approach
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Functional testing reveals what's actually happening hormonally, not just what standard blood tests show
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A personalised plan accounts for your specific symptoms, health history, medications and stage of menopause — not a one-size-fits-all protocol
DUTCH Hormone Testing
DUTCH offers the most extensive profile of sex and adrenal hormones along with their metabolites. Additionally, the daily (diurnal) pattern of free cortisol is included along with melatonin. This unique combination of clinical information is not available by any other method.
GI Map Stool Testing
Comprehensive gut microbiome analysis to assess digestive health and dysbiosis, including H. pylori, Candida, & Beta Glucalonidase.
SIBO Breath Testing
Small Intestinal bacterial overgrowth - a common but overlooked cause of bloating and gut symptoms.
Thyroid, Insulin & Nutrient Panels
Available privately, often revealing what the standard NHS tests may miss
Vaginal Microbiome qPCR Smear
The vaginal microbiome is the population of microorganisms that live in the vagina, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
DNA Testing
A wide range of options including deep dive into hormones, diet, health and more
MY APPROACH
Root cause.
Real food.
Real results
I don't believe in one-size-fits-all nutrition. After 30 years in clinical practice, I know that your symptoms have a story and that story is worth listening to properly. My consultations are thorough, personal and grounded in evidence-based science.
Available face-to-face at Holmedale Health, Exeter, or Online via Zoom for those across the UK and internationally.
01
Free Discovery Call
A 15-minutes chat to understand your symptoms, answer your questions and make sure we're the right fit. No pressure, no obligation.
02
In-depth initial consultation
60 minutes exploring your full health history, current symptoms, diet, lifestyle and goals. Zoom or face-to-face in Exeter.
03
Your Personalised plan
A full written report with your tailored nutrition and supplement plan, with achievable and practical advice to build around your life.
04
Ongoing Support
Follow-up sessions to review your progress, adjust your plan and keep you on track. Email support is included within defined windows.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Your questions answered
Everything you need to know before taking the first step.
What happens during my first consultation?
Before we meet, I will aks you to complete a detailed health questionnaire and food diary so we can make the most of our time together. Your consultation is a full, unhurried conversation - we go through your complete health history, your current symptoms, your diet, your lifestyle and your goals. At the end, you receive a detailed written report with personalised dietary advice, lifestyle recommendations, supplement suggestions and practical guidance tailored specifically for you.
Do you need to have functional testing to work with you?
Not at all — testing is always optional. Many patients make significant progress through nutrition and lifestyle changes alone. Where testing is recommended, it's because it will give us genuinely useful information that changes or accelerates your plan — not as a box-ticking exercise. If we do decide testing is right for you, all kits are sent to your home and collected from there, so there's no need to visit a clinic or hospital.
Can you help if I am already on HRT?
Absolutely. HRT and nutrition work very well alongside each other.
Many of my patients are on HRT and find that nutritional support helps them get far more from it — improving sleep, energy, gut health and weight management in ways that HRT alone doesn't always address.
If you are considering HRT, looking for alternatives, or simply want to support your body as fully as possible during this transition, I work alongside your GP and any existing treatment to provide complementary support tailored to exactly where you are in your journey.
Do I need to be in full menopause to benefit, or can you help with perimenopause too?
I work with women at every stage — perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. In fact, many women find that perimenopause is when they need support most, as symptoms can begin years before periods stop and are often dismissed or misattributed.
The earlier you start supporting your body nutritionally through this transition, the better your long-term outcomes tend to be. If your periods have become irregular, your sleep has changed, your mood feels unpredictable or your weight is shifting without obvious reason, these are all signs worth addressing — and I can help.
Can a nutritionist really help with menopause symptoms?
Yes — and often significantly. Nutrition directly influences how your body manages the hormonal shifts of menopause. What you eat affects oestrogen metabolism, cortisol levels, blood sugar stability, gut health and inflammation — all of which influence how severe your symptoms are. Rather than simply managing symptoms with supplements alone, a nutritional approach looks at the whole picture: your diet, your gut microbiome, your stress load, your sleep and your hormones working together. Many of my patients come to me after years of feeling dismissed or unheard, and find that targeted, personalised nutrition support makes a real and lasting difference.
How long does it take to see results?
This varies depending on your symptoms, how long you have been experiencing them, and how much underlying imbalance there is to address. That said, most patients notice meaningful improvements within four to eight weeks of following a personalised plan — particularly in energy, sleep quality and mood. Symptoms that have been present for many years, or that require functional testing to unpick, naturally take a little longer. I will always be honest with you about realistic timescales, and I am with you throughout the process — not just for the initial consultation.