Stella is designed by doctors, clinicians and experts in women’s health and menopause. The Stella app works across a range of symptoms, including sleep problems, mood changes, bladder issues, weight gain, hot flushes, night sweats, low libido, low energy and fatigue and brain fog. Let’s get to know the people behind the plans and content within the Stella app…
Our expert team
Dr Katie Armstrong MBBS MRCGP DFFP DCH, GP and clinical advisor to Stella.
Dr Katie has been a GP in the NHS for over 20 years and is a menopause specialist. She trained at St Mary’s, London and did her specialist training in menopause with Louise Newson, the British Society of Menopause, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Faculty of Sexual Health and Reproductive Medicine. She is the founder of Clinic51 a women’s health and hormone clinic in West Sussex.
Meera Bhogal, Founder of health and wellness website Meera’s Made From Scratch.
Meera is the founder of Meera’s Made From Scratch, offering dairy, gluten and refined sugar-free products, a fitness instructor and recipe creator. You may recognise Meera as the face of some of our exercise demonstrations within the Stella app and on our blog.
Dr Nicole Jaff PhD NCMP
Dr Nicole is a North American Menopause Society certified menopause practitioner (NCMP), member of the Professional Board of Psychology (South Africa) and the Staging Reproductive Aging collaborative group (STRAW+10). She has authored four books for women on understanding menopause. ResearchGate.
Dr Liz Kaltman ND MPH NCM
Dr Liz is a sexual and reproductive health specialist, epidemiologist, national clinician educator, and public health leader. She is a North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Certified Menopause Provider and enjoys supporting women through all stages of perimenopause with individualized care.
Dr Rebecca Love BSc MSc PhD, Behavioural Scientist (PhD) and founder of Stella.
Dr Rebecca specialises in preventative medicine and how lifestyle behaviour can reduce later life chronic disease. She completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge, and has led work for Public Health England, World Health Organisation and UNICEF.
Baz Moffat BSc MSc, Women’s Health and Fitness Coach.
Baz is a World Championship medal-winning rower, and since been a personal trainer and now specialises as a health and fitness coach for women. She focuses on the female pelvic floor, core strength and women’s fitness. She is the co-founder of The Well HQ and co-author of the book Train Like a Woman. Website.
Becky Potts CSP HCPC, Women’s Health Physiotherapist, is co-founder of Perfect Motion Physio.
Becky is passionate about female pelvic health at all stages of a woman’s life. She works with women on issues such as urinary incontinence, prolapse and pelvic pain. Becky feels strongly about the importance of re-setting the balance of a woman’s body, to restore health, function and quality of life. Website.
Lee Pycroft HG Dip, P; MHGI, Psychotherapist.
Lee started her career as a high-profile makeup artist working with A-list talent and creating makeover events in vulnerable sectors. Fascinated by human behaviour, she trained as a psychotherapist and helps people with mental health, self-image and wellbeing. Website.
Dr Lucy Wilkinson BSc MBChB DFSRH DRCOG MRCGP MA SFHEA, GP with special interests in women’s health and digital health.
Dr Lucy is a GP with special interests in women’s health and digital health. She trained at the universities of St Andrews, Manchester, and the Autonoma University of Madrid, and holds postgraduate qualifications in obstetrics, gynaecology and sexual health. She is a member of the British Menopause Society and was previously clinical advisor at Stella.
Our plans
Stella offers plans for nine key treatment areas. Each plan provides users with a guided approach to tackling menopause symptoms. Strategies include psychological approaches, physical training and dietary changes among others.
Stella treatment plans can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatment approaches (including HRT).
Sleep
The Stella sleep plan is a holistic way to tackle menopause-related sleep problems, including difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep.
Content includes:
- Why menopause can affect sleep
- Tips on using a sleep diary and understanding sleep and wake drive
- The impact of lifestyle choices on sleep and tips for improving sleep
- Sleep scheduling and compression techniques
- Techniques to manage stress
Clinicians involved in the content and review:
- Dr Rebecca Love
- Dr Lucy Wilkinson
Body plan
The Stella body plan focuses on the bladder, core and pelvic floor. It is an ideal companion for users who are struggling with bladder leaks and other pelvic floor issues.
Content includes:
- Why menopause weakens the pelvic floor
- Tips to manage leaks
- How lifestyle choices can irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms
- A guide to pelvic floor exercises, including the ‘quicks and slows’ technique
- Exercises to strengthen core muscles and the pelvic floor
Clinicians involved in the content and review:
- Baz Moffat
- Becky Potts
Hot flushes & night sweats
Hot flushes and night sweats are a common problem during menopause, and this Stella plan provides a guided programme to understand and help minimise your symptoms.
Content includes:
- Using science to understand hot flushes and night sweats
- The impact of lifestyle choices
- What can make flushes and sweats worse
- Stress management techniques
- Strategies to cope when flushes and hot sweats strike
Clinicians involved in the content and review:
- Dr Beverley Taylor
- Dr Rebecca Love
Sex & intimacy
Menopause can present a number of challenges when it comes to sex and intimacy. This Stella plan helps you to understand the changes you are experiencing and address any problems you encounter.
Content includes:
- The impact of hormonal changes on sexual desire and the body
- Understanding turn ons and turn offs
- Techniques to manage stress and feel comfortable during sex and masturbation
- Tips to increase sexual confidence, communication and emotional connection
- Techniques to build self-esteem and be more present during sex
Clinicians involved in the content and review:
- Dr Emily Simon
- Dr Liz Kaltman
Mood
It’s common to notice mood swings and other changes in your mood at menopause, with common symptoms including feeling low, anxious or angry. The Stella mood plan is designed to help you to understand and manage these symptoms.
Content includes:
- How hormonal changes can impact your mood and symptoms
- Stress management and techniques to regulate emotions
- The impact of lifestyle changes on mood
- Mindfulness techniques
- Tips to build emotional resilience
Clinicians involved in the content and review:
- Dr Beverely Taylor
- Dr Liz Kaltman
Weight
Weight gain is a common complaint around the time of menopause, and it can become more difficult to lose any extra pounds. The Stella weight plan is a guided programme that helps you to understand and address the way menopausal changes can contribute to this.
Content includes:
- The changes to the body during menopause
- How to balance blood sugar
- When to eat and how often
- Meal preparation and recipe tips
- The importance of building muscle and tips to increase exercise
- Keeping motivated and how to get back on track
Clinicians involved in the content and review:
- Dr Rebecca Love
- Dr Liz Kaltman
Brain fog
Brain fog is another commonly-reported symptom at menopause. Stella’s brain fog plan contains information and guidance designed to help tackle your symptoms.
Content includes:
- The science behind brain fog symptoms and how to manage
- The impact of lifestyle choices on brain function
- Tips on exercise, nutrition and sleep hygiene
- Cognitive techniques
- Strategies to improve social connection and stress management
Clinicians involved in the content and review:
- Dr Nicole Jaff
Joint pain
Many people notice more aches and pains during menopause, which can have a huge negative effect on quality of life. The joint pain plan aims to ease this symptom by encouraging daily movement.
Content includes:
- The science behind joint pain during menopause
- How to manage joint pain, including medications that can help
- Easy and hard stretches for different body parts
- Exercises to build muscle and bone strength
- Balance exercises for joint health
Clinicians involved in the content and review:
- Dr Nick Morse
- Meera Bhogal
- Dr Rachel Hines
Low energy & fatigue
Many people struggle with fatigue. It is one of the menopause symptoms with the biggest impact on your quality of life, along with anxiety and poor sleep. The low energy and fatigue plan aims to ease fatigue by introducing gentle movement, managing stress, and offering nutrition advice.
Content includes:
- Signs and possible causes of fatigue
- Strategies for introducing more movement when fatigued
- The importance of reducing stress and how to do it
- Why poor gut health and nutrition can contribute to fatigue
- How to eat to ease fatigue
Clinicians involved in the content and review:
- Dr Nick Morse
- Dr Nimrah Afzal
- Dr Rebecca Love
- Dr Rachel Hines
Try our menopause clinic
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