Midwife Zita West has made something of a name for herself among women seeking a more holistic approach to their reproductive health. Having seen Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett and Sophie, Countess of Wessex through pregnancy and birth, she also has a reputation for getting amazing results with couples who are undergoing IVF. Now, keen to see her growing number of devotees through the next life stage, she has launched a menopause programme.

"With women looking so amazing these days, the menopause is almost a taboo subject. But for many it is genuinely hard to handle," she says. "Women may have fluctuating hormones, less energy and find that it is harder to shift weight. Their libido may drop, the children may be leaving home. It is a time of great transition."

Read Lucy Atkins visits the expert leading a new approach to the menopause