My Menopause Journey

Talking about personal issues is not always easy .... and talking about menopause is a subject most don't want to discuss at all. All women will go through menopause ... this is my journey. Please note ... I am not telling anyone what to do or what they need, I am simply sharing my experience in order to get people talking ... and thinking about themselves.

Thank you for listening.

Transcript

Hello, My name is Jacqueline and I'd like to thank you for joining me today. I want to talk to you about my menopause journey. Now this is a subject that not many people really want to discuss and certainly a subject that a lot of women don't really know too much about, Although it happens to us and I was one of those women who didn't know too much about it. But it's something that I feel we should be discussing. I do feel that us as women should know our bodies and know what our body needs and then we know what we can ask for. But I also feel that men should know about the menopause and the journey that some women have to go on because then they get a better understanding of who we are as women and why we maybe act or say things that we do. So I have written my menopause journey and that's what I'm going to share with you here now. But remember this is my journey and what happened to me would not necessarily happen to other people and I'm not saying that what I received or the treatment that I got is necessarily what you need. This is my journey and what I'm sharing to gain awareness in other women and other people out there. You know every woman will go through the menopause and it's not something to be ashamed of or pushed to one side. It's something that is natural in life just as giving birth, Just as being born and dying. The menopause is part of the woman's journey and this is mine. So I'd like to thank you for listening in advance and anyway settle back because here we go. My menopause journey. There's nothing else we can do for you except give you a hysterectomy. I looked across the table at the man sitting in front of me. I wondered how a man with a big hairy moustache could know what was best for me. He smelt of cigar smoke but I had been told he was a very good surgeon. He smiled a little at me as he asked, Do you need me to explain anymore? I jumped back to reality forgetting for a moment why I was here but that was how I'd been lately with the terrible pains I had lived with for many years. They will go after you give birth they said but after two babies the pains were worse. I lived wearing a TENS machine attached to me as that was the only way I could cope with the pain. Tablets didn't work. I bled for most of the month and constantly felt drained. No, I understand, I said as we both stood up and shook hands. I smiled as if grateful for his diagnosis. I left the room, Walked out of the hospital, Got into my car and sobbed. I was 38 years old and my life was about to change. Over the coming years nobody talked to me about menopause or hormones. Oh wait, I do remember going to my GP and saying how tired I felt, How upset I would get and how frustrating life was. Your estrogen levels are low my dear, He said nonchalantly. Go to the health food shop and buy some supplements. The lady there will advise you. For years I took Don Quay's supplement. I think they helped. A number of years later I went to see another GP as my first one had retired. My symptoms were the same but worse and my migraines were terrible. My relationship was rocky and I stumbled around trying to make sense of life. You are depressed this man told me. How do these men know how I feel? Maybe I am depressed, He's the doctor. I just know I don't feel like myself and his migraines are such time wasters. Here's a prescription for antidepressants, He said waving a piece of paper in front of me. Goodbye. And so the years moved on. The antidepressants didn't seem to change my symptoms. They just numbed me and the migraines continued. I went back to my GP and this time he prescribed blood pressure medication along with different antidepressants. Strange as my blood pressure seemed okay. Time moved on and nothing changed except my age. I turned 60 in February this year, 22 years after my hysterectomy and still knew nothing about menopause or hormones. I'm a positive thinker and help many people which in turn helps me. But life was an uphill struggle. Motivation and sexual desire was zero. I must be old. I loved self-care and pampering myself, The things which brought comfort to my life and made me feel good about myself. So when I saw an advert to trial some skin products I jumped at it and was chosen. During this trial I met a lady who has become a special friend. We have never met but talk a lot on the phone. During one of our conversations she spoke about how her relationship changed when she started HRT. What's HRT? I asked. Hormone replacement therapy she explained. She was taking estrogen. She described how bad she'd felt before taking it. But you're describing me I exclaimed. She sent me some information to read and also podcasts to listen to and introduced me to Louise Newsom and the menopause clinic. I gathered my information. I was so hungry to know more about this HRT. But I needed to talk to my GP. So armed with all this new information I spoke to a new GP. Another man. He listened and then told me I was depressed and needed antidepressants. No! I said firmly. I need estrogen. Maybe you do. He reluctantly agreed. I'll give you three months supply and then come back. Relief flowed over me as tears ran down my cheeks. Finally I was being heard. The best birthday present this year was learning about HRT and starting on estrogen. What followed was another battle. But I was ready. And it was so worth the fight. That is my start of my menopause journey. I now take testosterone as well as estrogen. And I have never felt better. I'm still traveling on this journey. And every day is part of the journey. But it really is about listening to your body and knowing what your body needs. Since starting on this journey and learning so much information I've talked to anyone who will listen to me. Men as well as women. And after all men need to understand our journey. They want to be part of it. I've helped women understand themselves and realize what they need to live a happier, Healthier life. We are not old once we get through the menopause. We are just beginning a new phase of our life. And it should be a phase that we thoroughly enjoy. My advice to any woman going through their own menopause journey is do your homework. Learn about the menopause. Learn about hormones. Know what your body needs. And then visit your GP and tell them what you need. You are a woman and should be living your best life. Hormones give you that. This is your right. I hope this short podcast has helped you understand yourself and understand or maybe made you intrigued as to want to know more about HRT and the menopause. Reach out to me if I can help you at all or just check out Louise Newsome on Instagram. Thanks for listening. I hope to hear from you soon. Have a great day. Bye for now.

Reviews

Thank you. I had a hysterectomy at age 44. I still have my ovaries but the torment I went through mentallly was unbearable. I kept thinking I would not be a woman but an “it”. All my tears and fears were unfounded.

I am 57 and well through menopause per blood tests. I use supplements to help me with the ever lingering symptoms.

It was more manageable when I finally accepted menopause. I am lucky I’ve made it long enough to experience this as some of my friends have not. My older friend told me horror stories about her menopause experience that made me depressed initially. My gyno advised me to get new friends and to hang around with spunky, zesty and more positive women. 😀

I’m doing fine now I’m so happy you are feeling well. You definitely need to be your own health care advocate.

Thank you so much for sharing your journey. I have filled my prescription for HRT, but it’s been sitting in my bathroom for about a month, anxious to begin it, worried I’ll feel worse. It’s thanks to the people like you who share your journey that make me realize in my heart… it’s the best thing for me to do. Best wishes on your journey 🌻

Thanks so much for sharing! I think I need to check out HRT…tired of feeling like my body has declared war on me. Every. Single. Day. Don’t feel so alone now ❤️

Thank you for sharing your storyi am glad that menopause is in the open. I have had it easier in terms of physical symptoms but my mood has been awfully low. My gp also seemed reluctant to prescribe HRT...it wasn't explicitly said but he probably thought I needed antidepressant. I can but give it a few months.

Really helpful, thank you for sharing your story. I will do my research and then go to my GP.