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The menopause is a slow transition involving physical and emotional changes. Hormone replacement therapy, exercise and herbal remedies can all help with symptoms but every woman has different needs, say two specialists. Plus, there are upsides to this new chapter of life. Berlin (dpa) – The menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. While many people immediately think of symptoms associated with the hormonal transition preceding it, such as hot flushes and mood swings, it's not an illness, but of course perfectly natural. "It's a gradual process that doesn't start only after a woman's last menstrual period," says gynaecologist and author Dr Sheila de Liz.  As early as her mid- to late 30s, a woman's menstrual cycle begins to change. The number of her ovarian follicles, each of which contains an egg cell already present at her birth, has become depleted over the years. Ovulations, when an ovary releases a mature egg, become less frequent. Some women don't notice these changes until their mid- or late 40s. Intervals between their menstrual cycles can fluctuate, the length and/or amount of menstrual bleeding can become irregular – all of which is normal. This natural transition into the menopause is known medically as the perimenopause. The average age of a woman's last menstrual period is 51 years, and the menopause is said to have been reached when she has gone 12 consecutive months without a period. Until then, natural pregnancy is possible. During the perimenopause, the ovaries gradually stop producing the primary female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which regulate menstruation. And: "We now know that hormone receptors are found on all organs, including the brain," says physician and medical journalist Dr Suzann Kirschner-Brouns. Oestrogen acts on neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are important for emotional well-being. Progesterone is commonly thought of as the "relaxing hormone," as it promotes sound sleep and a steadier, calmer mood. A drop in progesterone levels can lead to mood swings, irritability, difficulty sleeping and occasional anxiety. Some perimenopausal women have the feeling they're changing, since their body is going through an important transition. Lower oestrogen levels can cause symptoms such as joint pain, digestive problems, skin changes, night sweats and occasional difficulty concentrating, not to mention the infamous hot flushes. Women experience this life phase very differently. "A third of them have no symptoms, a third have mild to moderate symptoms, and a third have symptoms so severe as to upend their daily life," says Kirschner-Brouns. Fortunately, the hot flushes, excessive sweating and mood swings gradually diminish in almost all of the affected women and eventually go away. Seeing a doctor is advisable in cases of heavy bleeding, impaired sleep over weeks or months, extreme difficulty concentrating, depression, or panic attacks that make life difficult. But what if your doctor doesn't seem to take you seriously enough, dismissing your complaints along the lines of "you're still too young for that, you're still getting your period"? Then Kirschner-Brouns recommends that you look for another doctor. "Women today no longer have to silently suffer," she says. "There's a whole range of helpful remedies for menopause symptoms." Combination hormone replacement therapy (oestrogen and progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone) is the most effective way to treat hormone-related symptoms, according to Germany's Health Ministry. Since it carries risks, women should weigh its potential up- and downside with their doctor. De Liz encourages women to inform themselves about the therapy and speak with their doctor about it. "You can easily try it out – the positive effect is quick," she says. If hormone replacement therapy isn't the answer for you, alternatives include psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. A number of websites and apps can also be helpful, but not all of them are medically sound. As for self-help, Kirschner-Brouns first and foremost recommends stress reduction or management. Many women also find relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, yoga and meditation to be helpful. A dietary change can bring relief as well, such as replacing animal-source protein with plant-based alternatives. In other words, eat less meat and sausage, and more legumes, vegetables and vegetable oils. "This strengthens your gut microbiome, which is good for your mental health too," says Kirschner-Brouns. Regular exercise, particularly muscle-building, is especially valuable in this life phase. It provably helps you to relax and can boost your mood. Fairly mild menopause symptoms – any postmenopausal symptoms are typically mild, by the way – can be treated with plant-based remedies such as hop preparations or monk's pepper (Vitex agnus-castus), according to Kirschner-Brouns, or with herbs and tea for excessive sweating, for instance. Various plant-based compounds and dietary supplements said to alleviate menopause symptoms are available in chemists and pharmacies. Their effectiveness hasn't been scientifically proven, however, and some can have side effects or are subject to drug interactions. Phytoestrogens, naturally occurring plant compounds that mimic oestrogen, should be taken only after consulting a doctor, because they dock onto the same oestrogen receptors in the body as conventional hormone replacement preparations. Both de Liz and Kirschner-Brouns recommend that women talk openly about menopause and its associated symptoms – at their workplace, with their family, and with their spouse or partner. "Dealing with it frankly takes pressure off of you," says Kirschner-Brouns. Communication with your spouse or partner is especially important. If vaginal dryness due to oestrogen deficiency causes discomfort during sex, you should discuss it with them. Otherwise they could take your reluctance to have intercourse personally, unnecessarily straining your relationship. Many women discover new freedoms and possibilities in life after menopause, and not just because contraception's no longer an issue. With an average life expectancy of around 80 years, a third period of life begins that, "while requiring greater attention to body and soul, can be a fulfilling time with many activities and advantages," says Germany's Professional Association of Gynaecologists (BVF). "The chapter is yours to write." The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn wib xxde bzl lue amc ob arw

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By Elizabeth Howcroft PARIS (Reuters) -British finance app Revolut has been granted a licence by Cyprus that will enable it to continue to target crypto-related services to grow its business, the company said on Wednesday, revealing that one fifth of its customers trade cryptocurrency. Crypto has been one of the driving forces in the rapid growth of Revolut, which last month started a secondary share sale at a $75 billion valuation. At least 14 million of Revolut's more than 65 million customers – 22% – are crypto users, which the company defined as users who have passed know-your-customer checks and been fully onboarded for crypto services. Revolut said it had been granted a crypto licence by Cyprus's financial regulator which allows it to offer crypto services throughout the European Union. The company had introduced crypto trading on its app in 2017, and a standalone crypto trading platform, Revolut X, in 2024. But under the EU's new crypto regulations, companies will need a licence to continue operating in the bloc. Last year, revenue in the company's "Wealth" segment almost tripled, "driven by increased crypto trading activity as observed throughout the industry and the launch of the Revolut X crypto exchange," according to its annual report. Cryptocurrency prices have surged in the past year, helped by U.S. President Donald Trump's support for the nascent industry, but regulators have long warned about a lack of protection for investors. (Reporting by Elizabeth HowcroftEditing by Mark Potter)

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By Akriti Shah (Reuters) -IBM shares dropped more than 6.5% before the bell on Thursday, after growth slowed in its core cloud software segment and spooked investors over Big Blue's ability to seize booming demand for cloud services. Despite raising its revenue outlook for the current fiscal year, the pullback in shares reflects the focus on artificial intelligence and cloud services as investors have placed hefty bets on AI-related units, relying on the technology to drive strong levels of growth. Sluggish expansion in IBM's cloud business, housed within the software segment, raised concerns about the company's ability to take advantage of demand for AI, while rivals also tussle for market share. The company's sales growth in the hybrid cloud unit – known as Red Hat – decreased to 14% from 16% in the previous quarter. "IBM's software performance and outlook tend to carry more weight than the rest of the business due to the level of earnings contribution and value the business represents," said J.P. Morgan analysts. Set to lap peak mainframe growth rates next year, IBM will need an uptick in its software performance to sustain overall healthy growth rates, they added. Investor bets on IBM's cloud business and AI adoption have propelled shares to rise about 30% so far this year. The stock trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 23.85, compared with 17.95 for rival Accenture. The infrastructure segment, which includes IBM's mainframe business, posted a 17% rise in quarterly revenue to $3.56 billion, which helped the company beat third-quarter sales and profit estimates. Some analysts highlighted IBM's acquisition strategy, which could help meet high growth expectations. "M&A also remains an underappreciated lever for the company, which given their strong FCF and balance sheet, could be a material catalyst, given they are well on their way to integrate Hashi transaction," Evercore ISI analysts said. Last year, IBM bought HashiCorp in a deal valued at $6.4 billion. (Reporting by Akriti Shah and Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)

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(Reuters) -Hasbro raised its annual revenue and core profit forecasts on Thursday, betting on holiday season sales and demand for its digital gaming segment, even as macroeconomic uncertainties cast a gloom on spending among American shoppers. Shares of the company, which also beat quarterly revenue estimates, were up about 3% in premarket trading. The toymaker's digital titles, including "Magic: The Gathering", helped offset softness in its traditional toy business, which faces pressure from weak consumer demand amid persistent inflation and the Trump administration's volatile trade policy. The company forecast fiscal-year 2025 revenue to grow by high single digits, compared with prior expectations of mid-single-digit rise and adjusted EBITDA – earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization – to be between $1.24 billion and $1.26 billion, compared with the $1.17 billion to $1.20 billion range forecast earlier. The toy industry, which relies heavily on its manufacturing hubs in regions including China, has taken a significant hit from U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, with the recent threat of a 100% duty on Chinese goods threatening to further pressurize the industry.  "We managed tariff volatility with agility, protected margins through cost productivity and pricing discipline, and continued to advance our transformation initiatives," Gina Goetter, chief financial officer, said in a statement. The company's quarterly revenue of $1.39 billion beat analysts' average estimate of $1.34 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. Revenue in its Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming segment rose 42%, compared to a 5% decrease a year ago. Peer Mattel, however, posted third-quarter revenue and profit below expectations on Tuesday, as retailers worried about an uncertain economic outlook delayed orders for "Barbie" and other toys, hurting demand for the Hot Wheels owner. (Reporting by Neil J Kanatt and Prerna Bedi in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai)

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(Reuters) -Tesla said on Thursday it is recalling 63,619 Cybertrucks over software that makes the front parking lights too bright, potentially impairing oncoming drivers' vision. It said an over-the-air software update has been released to the fix the issue at no charge for the Cybertrucks built between November 13, 2023 and October 11, 2025. The Elon Musk-led automaker said it identified the problem during an internal review earlier this month after photometric tests confirmed the excessive brightness. Tesla said it has not received any reports of crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to the issue. On Wednesday, the EV maker also recalled 12,963 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles over a battery-pack component defect that could cause a loss of propulsion and increase crash risk. Earlier this month, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it was opening an investigation into 2.88 million Tesla vehicles equipped with its Full Self-Driving system after more than 50 reports of traffic-safety violations and a series of crashes. The company reported record third-quarter revenue that beat Wall Street estimates on Wednesday, driven by its highest quarterly EV sales as U.S. buyers rushed to lock in a key tax credit before it expired last month. But Tesla's profit missed analysts' expectations, in part due to tariff and research costs, as well as a decline in income from regulatory credits that are expected to continue fading with recent legislation passed by the Trump administration. Shares of the company were down 3.3% in premarket trading. The stock is up nearly 9% so far this year. (Reporting by Jaspreet Singh and Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengalur; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala, Janane Venkatraman and Tasim Zahid)

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