This is my story......
My journey through the menopause is something that, in hindsight I wished I had shared with others at the time hence why I am describing the experience here. If only I had had some sympathetic ears, sensible advice or more immediate healthcare intervention, I am sure that I would have felt less lonely and confused.
My peri-menopause (leading up to the complete ending of my monthly cycle) began at the very early age of around 32/33. Consequently, my doctor’s surgery simply didn’t believe that this was actually what was happening. Having always experienced debilitating menstrual migraines, the increasing irregularity and severity of my periods came to dominate my life by the time I was 35.
Quite apart from the embarrassment, exhaustion and discomfort of sudden bleeds, crushing headaches two or more times per month became a feature of my life for years. I remember pretending I was suffering from a heavy cold at parents’ evenings when the migraines caused my eyes to stream. It took a further 5 years before the NHS decided that further specialist investigation was needed, suspecting endometriosis as a possible diagnosis. As it happened, just as I was having to undergo a series of pretty invasive examinations, the menopause itself properly kicked in and I found that one set of symptoms was replaced by another! Relieved that I no longer had to deal with the migraines, from my early 40s I now had to navigate insomnia, massive mood swings and hot flushes.
Seeing a therapist was the way forward in the end as I truly felt that I was losing the plot! Professional, patient and persuasive, she managed to help me realise that I could be more assertive in both looking after myself emotionally and demanding much more in the way of medical support. First and foremost, getting put on HRT was a game-changer as this did away with the flushes and sleeplessness almost immediately. She also recommended a marvellous website: Menopause Matters, where I was able to gain a huge amount of practical advice. Now, I am not saying that HRT is the answer for everyone or that seeing a therapist will somehow magically resolve what are essentially physiological symptoms. However, I do know that I wish I had spent more time researching, reading and, above all sharing my experiences with other people (experts, family and friends) in a bid to help understand and cope with what is an alarming and immensely challenging experience. After all, everyone, not just women but their partners, children, colleagues and society as a whole are all affected by this issue, so surely the best way to navigate it is together.
