Age 59
Co Director of Wild Women Retreats
In her garden studio
In her lounge
Post- menopause has been the most difficult for me. I sort of swam through peri-menopause without really noticing. I became very fascinated with menopause. I made myself a blood wand before I thought that I would stop bleeding. For 13 moons, I celebrated my bleeding and I carved into a rowan wand.There was a whole process, a ritual to honour the fact that I was coming out of being a life-giving woman and letting go of that part of my life. So my menopause was quite celebratory. I had a few hot and cold sweats and sleepless nights, but nothing that took over my life and made it difficult. I had some odd things like burning tongue, which felt like it had been scalded with hot water. I read and listened to a lot of other women’s experiences and I realised that there is no definitive timeline and every woman experiences it differently
I’m noticing my body change more now, post-menopause. One of the biggest difficulties, for me, is my lack of libido; I’m going through a process of acceptance and grieving for this loss. My partner is very patient, loving and caring, I am so lucky to have him in my life.
I’ll be 60 soon, big celebrations there. I’m a mother and a grandmother, my partner has children too. We’ve have four girls, four granddaughters and a grandson so there’s a whole tribe of amazing women growing up behind us.
For me post-menopause has been a bit of a struggle but I embrace what I have been through and love who I am.
Boann