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flushes, participants placed the ‘Menopoised Menopause Magnet’ on DU 14 da zhui, which is indicated for clearing heat.

The aim of the trial was to test the effectiveness in reducing heat symptoms of menopause, hot flushes, night sweats and general overheating. Using the MYMOP online self-reporting questionnaire, 32 women completed the trial. The results we published were from a week’s worth of use.

The research was corroborated by the Sussex Innovation Centre, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Sussex, as part of their business research and academic innovation network, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Galvanising the crowds

So far, so good. The magnet idea worked. In fact, after a meeting with the innovation expert at the British Library Innovation Centre, I realised it was more effective than most products that get to market. The only thing left to consider was whether the name I had chosen, Menopoised, translated into international markets. Thankfully it did!

I recruited a patent attorney and trademarked the name in 70 per cent of the world’s markets and turned my sights on funding.

NatWest were running a crowdfunding project called Back Her Business, match funding women entrepreneurs up to £5,000 when they raised the same amount from over one hundred supporters. I achieved this and lots of presales in two weeks, rather than the month I’d expected it to take.

At the crowdfund launch event I looked around the room and saw one woman I knew I wanted to work with. At the time Nikki Gatenby was running a highly successful marketing agency, and now, through a crazy set of life circumstances, she’s my wonderful business partner.

Nikki used the magnet and her flushes disappeared in 24 hours. She liked it so much she bought into the company. And with the gift of time during lockdown, we’ve been able to make huge strides in getting Menopoised to a wider audience.

We’re on a mission, to blow the doors off the menopausal taboo. We don’t believe it’s something women should keep a secret, or be ashamed of or ridiculed for. We believe women are incredible, that they deserve choice, and our dream is to help them all have a positive menopause naturally.

The future looks bright

At the time of writing, our website www.menopoised.co.uk is live and we’ve had our first piece of media coverage in Metro newspaper with lots more lined up. We’re also running a trial for the product with a large employer in the UK with a view to rolling out nationwide in October. Such exciting times!

If you only take one thing from this article please make it this. From the inimitable Tom Cruise in the film Cocktail: ‘A life without risk is no life at all’. If you have a dream, I urge you, make it a reality. Radiolab: Invisible Allies Here’s a fascinating story about what researchers are discovering about vitamin D and Covid-19, as well as the racial politics of recommending vitamin D to BAME populations, plus a discussion about the potential antimicrobial powers of copper. Listen for free to the podcast or read the transcript.

The Fresh Needle Podcast The Fresh Needle is a podcast by and for newly qualified acupuncturists and acupuncture students. They aim to create a community by talking about their experiences in school, setting up their own clinics, and these turbulent times of Covid-19. Including interviews with the likes of Mel Hopper Koppelman, Naava Carman, and Awais Mian, who also writes about her postlockdown return to practice on page 24 of the issue.

Qigong with Peter Deadman In view of the lung-targeting coronavirus, Peter Deadman made this 20-minute video of three qigong practices to help strengthen the lung: deep, slow, lower abdominal breathing; two qigong movements to benefit the lung; slapping and massaging the lung channel/meridian and the chest. Great for a seasonal do-it-yourself protective practice and/or for recommending to patients.

Honey for upper respiratory symptom relief Pass the sourdough toast and slather it with honey before reading this great scientific review on honey as cough remedy... Autumn here we come!

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