Navigating the Change: My Journey Through The Menopause
World Menopause Day is a date close to my heart, as it offers a platform to shed light on the transformative journey women go through during this significant phase of life. My experience with menopause has been a blend of challenges, triumphs, and self-discovery. In this blog, I want to share my personal insights and delve into the importance of World Menopause Day.
My Menopause Journey
It’s different for every woman, but my journey through menopause began in the year I turned 50, a stage in life where I finally felt I had it all figured out. Little did I know that this natural biological transition would bring about profound changes. Menopause, for me, obviously marked the end of my childbearing years, but it also came with a host of physical and emotional symptoms. Arguably, it comes at the worst phase in your life, for me, the “Sandwich years”. I still had two grown up children living at home and 90+yr old mother to care for, not easy when all you want to do is hide from the world.
Understanding the Physical and Emotional Changes
Hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, and disrupted sleep patterns became part of my daily life. The physical symptoms were one thing, but the emotional rollercoaster was an unexpected challenge. There were days when I felt on top of the world, and others when I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed and emotionally vulnerable. And then, of course, having to get up for work as if nothing was wrong – on probably around a couple of hours sleep.
The Stigma and Silence
Males in general, you need to listen and learn, don’t avoid this subject. You are potentially managed by a woman, or manage a woman, you’ll most certainly work with a woman, and have at least one in your life! One of the most significant hurdles I encountered during my menopause journey was the stigma and societal reluctance to discuss it openly. Menopause is a shared experience among women, yet it’s often a topic shrouded in silence. On World Menopause Day, I realized the importance of breaking this silence. Women should feel empowered to share their experiences, seek help when needed, and feel heard.
Prioritising Mental and Emotional Health
During my own menopause experience, I learned the importance of mental health support. The hormonal fluctuations brought about moments of anxiety and even depression. I’ve always considered myself fortunate to have strong mental health, but these struggles were real and hit me like a ton of bricks, but I knew I wasn’t alone and it wouldn’t last forever. World Menopause Day highlights the significance of addressing mental health during this phase and provides valuable resources for women to manage these emotional aspects.
Health and Well-being: A Priority
As I navigated through menopause, I understood that prioritising my health was non-negotiable. The hormonal changes can affect bone health, cardiovascular health, and increase the risk of conditions like osteoporosis. I committed to a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sought professional guidance to ensure I was taking care of my physical well-being.
In Conclusion
World Menopause Day has become a personal milestone for me. It’s a day that encourages women like me to share their experiences, seek support, and prioritise their health. It’s a day when we acknowledge the unique challenges and triumphs that come with this transformative journey. It’s our duty to share our experience so the next generation are better prepared, feel supported and through openness and understanding, we can ensure that women everywhere navigate menopause with grace and resilience.
A personal thanks to Clear Assured, our journey of discovery has helped give me the courage to publicly post this, and for further learning and corporate support, Emma Nicholls can provide a thorough Menopause Audit and together they can support with expert advice on any issue relating to DEI, culture and wellbeing.
