My perimenopause diagnosis at 39 came as a complete shock. I was wholly unprepared, there was no real knowledge, no support, and definitely no conversation or awareness surrounding it. I found myself suffering in silence and I felt isolated on so many fronts.
Five years later and I’m still learning. Managing the symptoms has been exhausting and at times demoralising, with lots of trial and error. But it shouldn’t have to be like this. Half the population will experience menopause, yet many of us are left to navigate it without knowing what to expect or what’s normal.
It can be a really lonely experience, especially if you have no one to turn to and actually talk to about how you’re feeling and what’s going on with your body.
My menopause experience
When I first started experiencing symptoms, I was in denial. Like my own mother, my perimenopause started early – something I wish I had known sooner! I would have around six hot flushes a night, swinging from being drenched in sweat to freezing. The lack of sleep was unbearable, often leaving me on the verge of tears throughout the day and like I was running on empty.
RELATED: This is the best type of cardio for women in perimenopause
I think a lot of women feel the same way. You’re struggling to get through each day, exhausted from the lack of shut-eye, frustrated, unsure of what’s happening and with no one to turn to for support.
This is why we need to shift the conversation – and the workplace is a great place to start. Real change can be made there, directly impacting women going through menopause.
How to start the conversation
It can be hard to open up to others and talk about something so personal, but that first step is crucial – don’t shy away from saying the word “menopause”!
Being honest about how you’re feeling and the symptoms you’re experiencing is important. If you need support, don’t be afraid to ask.
Menopause impacts everyone, whether you’re experiencing it firsthand or supporting someone who is going through it. I often think about how my experience could have been totally different if me and the people around me were more open to discussing menopause. Being able to be honest about how I was feeling and what I was going through behind closed doors would’ve created space for more support. Having that dialogue with friends, family, colleagues and managers helps everyone to stay informed about the latest treatments, support options and overall experience
Making change at work
Women are a huge part of the workforce and deserve support, so we can bring our whole selves to work and feel confident both in and outside of the workplace.
RELATED: Elle Macpherson’s naturopath on the best menopause hacks
Having workplace supports in place, like a menopause policy when my symptoms first started, would have provided me with a much-needed source of information to turn to and made me feel less alone.
As someone who was lost on where to turn for information when I started my menopause journey, I want others to know you don’t have to journey through it alone. Menopause is a natural part of life – it shouldn’t be scary. We should be there for each other and advocate for change together, so no one else gets left behind.
When I heard Dove were launching their own website to support women through menopause, I was excited to be part of so many other women’s journeys and lend my voice, so other women can feel comfortable to share theirs.
This conversation is really important, not just for those currently going through menopause, but for younger women too. We can bridge the gap between generations so they can be ready for it when the time comes and have a better understanding of their reproductive health.
