In recognition of World Menopause Day, we've asked seven members of staff to share their insights, answer common questions, and offer any guidance they may have on navigating the experience of Perimenopause and Menopause.
Whether you're experiencing it yourself, or want to be a better ally, we hope these personal experiences offer valuable knowledge, reduce stigma, and encourage open conversations.
For further information on the support available to you by the University, check out our line manager guidance available on our website.
It was the external symptoms – hot flushes mainly. Also brain fog – just not being able to think clearly at all. This is a scary thing – the first thing which comes to mind is that dementia is coming and fast.
Nothing in particular. Looking forward to stopping bleeding really – as someone who has bled heavily her whole life!
I approached my doctor, and asked for and got started on HRT pretty quickly, so all the hot flushes have stopped. I have gained weight though and also have joint pain.
The poor mental health – very low moods have been difficult to deal with.
My sleep has definitely been affected.
Massively.
Not sure about mood swings (that suggests one day feeling great the next feeling low)– just lots of feeling extremely low. This was made better by an increase in Oestrogen, but the low moods are still there.
Most definitely. My concentration span is terrible, but the brain fog is a lot better since starting HRT.
HRT – crucially getting the correct dosage, which hasn’t been easy. I am also on testosterone – which has helped sexual desire (somewhat) as well as joint pain and mental health.
HRT has been a life saver – quite literally sometimes I think.
I have found the process to be frustrating. I took the time to become knowledgeable about menopause – what’s happening to my body internally and externally. But there is a clear knowledge gap between me and the GP but also a power gap. One person (me) had better knowledge and the other person (my GP) had the power to prescribe HRT or not. I have never had the opportunity to talk to an NHS medical professional as equals about this (if that makes sense – and please don’t think I am coming at this from a place of superiority – that’s not it).
Quite possibly in ways I don’t quite see or understand at this point.
I haven’t asked for support, so that’s on me.
With some of my girlfriends – going through these things together. It also highlights how unique everyone’s circumstances are.
There have been too many days when I have been unable to cope or work. But I have to get on with it somehow.
Again, I haven’t asked for any help. So that’s on me.
Possibly. For me the challenges were / are my poor mental health as my physical symptoms were cleared up by being on HRT. So, I don’t know. I am the oldest in my team so am going through this alone in many ways although I know my manager would be extremely understanding. It’s my inability in general to talk about things personal to me that is a blocker in many ways.
How much it has impacted my life, mentally. I feel like I lost about two years of my life before my HRT was correct for me and I am often still not right. It’s very upsetting. On the odd days when I feel like me again, that’s when I realise how much of me is missing from the other days.
The other thing is how the drop in oestrogen is responsible for so many things – increased risk of CVD, dementia, osteoporosis, etc – I hope in future HRT will be seen more as a preventative aid.
Read up, follow experts on social media (there are some amazing trailblazers on Instagram). The shadow of the Women’s Health Initiative study still looms large and those myths still need to be dispelled.
I honestly don’t think anyone could have prepared me for my poor mental health issues – as someone who had not experienced that before. No amount of knowledge could have prepared me for that. But following people who are experts and who know the best way to deal with it has been very helpful.
Putting on some weight has been freeing actually – and has made me re-evaluate the societal ‘norms’ thrust upon us as women. It’s been great that way.
I am probably even more of a feminist now.
There are some. Caring less about some things is freeing.