Age 54
Educator and School Governance Professional
In her garden
On way to beach
Since moving to Ramsgate I’ve only had one period, so I must be going through the menopause. I don't think I’m peri- menopausal any more, but I tend not to really know what’s what, if that makes sense.You just kind of journey yourself through it, don't you? The other thing is that because my mum had womb cancer when she was around that age, she had no kind of menopausal experience to share with me, so I didn't really know what to expect, other than it was going to happen. I wanted to go through it as naturally as I could, so I’m not taking HRTeven though other people have said it’s amazing. I think I’ve soldiered through and I think I’m OK without it, but it’s bit like having an epidural when you have a baby, I would never rule it out.
I’ve had to give up certain things that I really enjoyed like caffeine; I was always saying to my mum “what’s the point of having decaffeinated coffee? I just don't understand!”, but when you get the anxiety attacks and the palpitations you totally understand! I was never much of a drinker, but I drink even less now, because the time it takes to recover does not justify it, and I think when you get older you just can’t take it in the same way. My sleep patterns continue to be very erratic. Sometimes I have an amazing night’s sleep, and I don't get the sweats, and other times I do. Through observation if I do adequate exercise it sort of sweats it out. I was an intense exerciser before Covid. I used to cycle to all my meetings and then every Tuesday I did a mega women-only boxing workout, and then one Pilates session a week. Covid cancelled all that so I ended up walking a lot. I do recognise that exercise is a super important part of it.
Not having periods is good, combined with the fact that my children have grown up (with no prospect of grandchildren any time soon!) gives me a great deal of personal freedom. I feel really comfortable with who I am and what I’m about; I don't have to prove anything to anyone, other than myself. I’m just enjoying my life. The textile exhibition I just did was the first one I’ve ever done in my life. I’ve always been a maker, but it’s a really difficult field if you want to make a decent living.As long as I’m creating in some capacity, I’m happy.
Emma Skinmore