Can Functional Mushrooms Help With Menopause and Perimenopause Signs?

Menopause and perimenopause can feel different for every woman.

For some, it may show up as brain fog or poor sleep.
For others, it may feel more like:

• low energy

• stress

• hot flushes

• changes in mood

• changes in metabolism

• not feeling quite like yourself

Because these changes can happen at the same time, many women look for support that fits more naturally into everyday life.

That is where functional mushrooms are becoming part of the conversation.

• Not as a cure.

• Not as a replacement for medical advice.

• But as one possible form of natural, everyday support.

That wider approach matters because menopause and perimenopause can involve many different changes. 

GenM has identified 48 signs associated with menopause, perimenopause and post-menopause. Its Invisibility Report also found that 51% of women could name only three of these signs, showing how much more awareness and practical support is still needed.

Key Takeaways

• Menopause and perimenopause are natural life stages, not an illness

• GenM identifies 48 signs linked to menopause, perimenopause and post-menopause

• Functional mushrooms may support areas such as clarity, calm, sleep, energy and general wellbeing

• The Empower Menopause range combines functional mushrooms with vitamins, minerals and botanicals

• Every woman’s experience is different, so support should not be one-size-fits-all

Can Functional Mushrooms Help With Menopause and Perimenopause Signs?

Functional mushrooms are not a guaranteed answer to menopause or perimenopause signs. But they may have a place within a wider wellbeing routine.

Some mushrooms are commonly associated with areas that many women look for support with during this stage of life, including clarity, calm, sleep, energy and general wellbeing.

Different mushrooms are often used for different reasons, which is why they may be combined rather than used individually. 

Why More Women Are Looking for Natural Support

Menopause and perimenopause can affect more than one area of life at the same time.

Energy levels, mood, sleep, and focus can all shift together, which can make day-to-day life feel more demanding.

This is one reason more women are looking at natural support as part of a wider toolkit. That might include nutrition, movement, sleep routines, medical advice, prescribed treatments, supplements, or a combination of different approaches.

Many women are now looking for options that can fit alongside existing routines and lifestyle habits.

This also reflects the way people are approaching wellbeing. According to the Food Standards Agency, around half of UK adults take food supplements regularly, showing how common it has become to support health through daily routines. 

Functional mushrooms sit within this broader shift.

Inside the Empower Menopause Range

Love Mushrooms developed the Empower Menopause range to support more than one area of wellbeing during menopause and perimenopause.

The formulations bring together several functional mushrooms, each chosen for a different role within the wider blend, which includes:

• Lion’s Mane

• Reishi

• Cordyceps

• Maitake

• Shiitake

These are paired with vitamins, minerals and more traditional ingredients such as sage and hop extract, which are commonly used in menopause-related supplements.

Each ingredient has been chosen with a different area of support in mind, helping the range reflect how varied menopause and perimenopause signs can be.

Supporting Many Signs, Not Just One

Menopause and perimenopause do not present themselves in a single, consistent way.

Organisations such as Gen M have identified 48 different menopause and perimenopause signs, highlighting how varied the experience can be. 

These changes may affect sleep, energy, mood, focus, metabolism and overall wellbeing at the same time, which is why support often needs to feel flexible rather than overly narrow.

GenM’s research also found that 90% of menopausal women believe brands should work harder to be inclusive and cater to women experiencing menopause. 

A Balanced Approach to Menopause Support

Love Mushrooms’ approach to menopause and perimenopause support is shaped by both lived experience and specialist knowledge.

Rachael Hall, Love Mushrooms’ Director of Women’s Health, brought personal insight, along with understanding from the experiences of friends, family and other women. This was combined with Smith’s knowledge of functional mushrooms and formulation to help create products designed for practical, everyday support.

Menopause is not treated as a problem to be solved, but as a natural stage of life that may benefit from additional support. 

This is why Love Mushrooms often uses the term “signs” instead of “symptoms”, helping to avoid framing menopause as an illness while still recognising the changes women may want support with.

Women Need Real Tools, Not One-Size-Fits-All Solutions

During menopause and perimenopause, simplicity can become just as important as support itself. The Empower range is designed to fit more naturally into everyday routines, without adding unnecessary complexity or unrealistic promises.

Many women are balancing multiple responsibilities at once, which is why convenience matters. The range focuses on:

• supporting multiple areas at once

• offering simple formats like capsules and decaf coffee

• making daily use feel straightforward and manageable

This reflects how people already approach supplements in general. Research from the Food Standards Agency shows that 65% of supplement users take them daily, while 71% say they use them for general health and wellbeing, rather than for a single targeted outcome.

Functional mushrooms fit naturally into this routine-based approach.

Where Functional Mushrooms Fit Into the Bigger Picture

Functional mushrooms are best understood as one part of a wider approach to wellbeing during menopause and perimenopause.

They may sit alongside:

• lifestyle changes

• nutritional support

• professional medical advice

• personal routines

For some women, they may become a consistent part of daily life. For others, they may play a smaller role.

What matters most is finding approaches that feel realistic, supportive and aligned with your own experience.

FAQs

Can functional mushrooms cure menopause or perimenopause signs?

No. They are not designed to cure menopause or perimenopause. They may support certain areas of wellbeing, but should be used as part of a broader approach.

Which mushroom is best for menopause?

There is no single “best” mushroom. Different mushrooms are used for different areas, such as Lion’s Mane for brain fog or Reishi for calm.

How long do functional mushrooms take to work?

They are usually taken consistently over time, rather than expected to have an immediate effect.

Are functional mushrooms safe to take during menopause?

Functional mushrooms are widely used in wellness routines, but it is always advisable to check with a healthcare professional, especially if you are taking medication, using HRT, pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a health condition.

Can I take functional mushrooms every day?

Many people include them as part of a daily routine, depending on the product and guidance.

Do I need to take multiple supplements?

Some formulations combine multiple ingredients to reduce the need for separate supplements.

Are functional mushrooms natural?

Yes, they are derived from fungi and are typically used in natural wellness approaches.