What is it? A traditional herbal medicine from the buttercup family.

What's it for? Black cohosh is used to treat symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats, and has also been found to alleviate irritability and restlessness. It's thought the herb works by mimicking oestrogen.

Buy it: Black Cohosh Menopause Relief, £14.95 for 60 tablets, Healthspan (www.healthspan.co.uk). Take one tablet daily with water.

What is it? Another traditional herbal supplement, from the mint family.

What's it for? A mild phytoestrogen, sage has been shown to significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flushes and night sweats. It's thought to help restore the body's natural hormonal balance.

Buy it: Menoforce Sage Tablets, £12.80 for 30 tablets, A Vogel (www.avogel.co.uk). Take one tablet daily with water.

What is it? Natural plant oestrogen found in foods such as soya milk and tofu.

What's it for? Soya isoflavones have been shown to significantly reduce hot flushes - and there's a growing body of evidence to suggest they help maintain bone health and so reduce risk of osteoporosis. They work by boosting the body's natural oestrogen levels.

Buy it: Soya Isoflavones, £11.95 for 50 tablets, Nature's Best (www.naturesbest.co.uk). Take one tablet daily with water.

What is it? A herbal aphrodisiac, derived from natural plant extracts.

What's it for? This natural libido-booster aims to restore your sex drive and generally liven things up between the sheets. Various studies have suggested that the active ingredient - Damiana Leaf from Central America - helps increase sexual sensitivity and encourage orgasms.

Buy it: Fembido, £24.95 for 60 tablets, Chemist Direct (www.chemistdirect.co.uk). Take one tablet daily with water.

What is it? An energy-and-memory-booster sourced from natural foods, developed by nutritional therapist Julie Silver.

What's it for? Femergy's main ingredient is Peruvian Maca, which helps promote hormonal balance and is regarded by many as a natural alternative to HRT. Femergy also contains ginkgo biloba, which helps improve memory by increasing blood flow around the body.

Buy it: Femergy, £10.20 for 60 capsules, BetterYou (www.betteryou.uk.com). Take two capsules daily with water.

What is it? A unique formulation of natural supplements developed by top nutritionist Patrick Holford.

What's it for? Designed to keep hormones in check throughout the menopause, this super-charged supplement contains magnesium, zinc, vitamin B6 and soya isoflavones - all of which help boost oestrogen levels.

Buy it: Patrick Holford Female Balance, £22 for 90 tablets, Biocare (www.biocare.co.uk). Take one tablet up to three times daily with food.

What is it? A blend of marine algaes and natural plant hormones.

What's it for? Each capsule contains calcium, iodine and vitamin D3 for healthy bone density, plus soya extracts to help alleviate mood swings, hot flushes and sleep problems. Again, they work by mimicking the body's natural oestrogen.

Buy it: Thalgo Menoceane 45+, £19.50 for 60 capsules, Thalgo (www.thalgo.com). Take two capsules per day with food.

What is it? A multivitamins and mineral food supplement.

What's it for? Specially blended to provide nutritional support during and after the menopause, these capsules contain calcium for healthy bones, vitamin C to boost your immunity and soya isoflavones for hormonal balance.

Buy it: Boots Pharmaceuticals Complete Menopause Plus, £10.20 for 30 tablets, Boots (www.boots.com). Take one tablet daily with water.

What is it? A rather swanky-looking personalised pack of nutritional supplements in daily-dosage packets.

What's it for? Each pack contains: two multivitamins for general health and vitality; two isoflavone blend capsules with red clover and black cohosh to alleviate symptoms such as hot flushes; one calcium and magnesium tablet for optimal bone health; and one pycnogenol tablet to protect cells from free radical attacks.

Buy it: Functionalab Menopause & Osteo, £87 for 30-day supply, Functionalab (www.functionalab.co.uk).

What is it? A natural supplement derived from the seeds of a wild plant native to North America.

What's it for? Evening primrose provides blocks for building sex hormones. Studies suggest it helps alleviate menopausal mood swings and anxiety. It can also help reduce hormonal bloating and skin problems.

Buy it: Evening Primrose Oil, £10.95, Healthspan (www.healthspan.co.uk). Take one capsule daily with water.