Lives in Rochdale
Age 36
Works at Pioneers Museum Rochdale, Mum, Ultra Marathon Runner
Training for Ultra marathons
At work in Rochdale
Its only relatively recently I’ve been diagnosed with going through menopause. In my late teens I was very poorly with a severe eating disorder and my periods stopped. I received a lot of treatment, but once I got back to a healthy weight, they didn’t start back. That was attributed to me being quite sporty.
About 5 years ago we decided to start trying for a child. It wasn’t an easy process and we received IVF treatment. I did one round of IVF and it didn’t sit right. The consultant said “I really need you to take HRTbecause your body’s not in a good place at all”. I carried around that letter without going to the GPbecause there is stigma attached to taking HRT. I was worried about what it would do to my body. IVF turns your body upside-down and I was exhausted with things fiddling with my body When I got on it I felt better almost the next day. I still don’t sleep that well and the night sweats are horrendous. I know I’m trying to juggle which HRTis right for me.You just become far more in tune with your body. I was referred to a specialist gynaecologist who suggested I go on the gel and have the merina coil fitted. I also explained my symptoms to a private consultant who thought I would benefit from a testosterone implant.
I’m so proud to live in Rochdale, but there’s no getting away from the fact that it is poor. We’re a very divided community.There are so many women in Rochdale not getting help because they’re not educated or confident enough to be able to go back and say “No, you’re wrong”. It really saddens and angers me. It’s not fair on my community The NHS is doing the best it can, it’s just over- stretched.The training for medical professionals on the menopause is really limited and there needs to be more awareness.
You’ve got to be driven in everything in your life. Whether it’s seeking out the right medication and saying “No, this isn’t working for me” or whether it’s coming out in the pissing rain and running 15 miles.You’ve got to have that inner drive. Some really strong women in my life have come in through the menopause and it felt like an admission to say I’m struggling.Actually, it’s not a struggle, it’s just what I am going through right now. If it wasn’t for one wonderful woman saying “You’re not right Cat, get a testosterone implant” I’d still be struggling now. Women support women; the menopause has really taught me to celebrate women because we’re really good!