Andrea, Age 55
I lost my ovaries prematurely and the onset of menopause was immediate - the day after the surgery.
At the time I was in a senior corporate role and had just relocated from Australia to South Africa to start a new job. Initially I did not seek out help, even though I was suffering symptoms that were really impacting my wellbeing and my ability for function in my new job.
I was experiencing lots of hot flushes, major brain fog, irritability and also I was cramping, as I'd been given an HRT option that was apparently made out of the urine of pregnant horses 😳. No wonder I was not feeling great. My surgeon had not any information in relation to the symptoms or how to access advice or help. As a high performer, my strategy was to try to ignore it and soldier on, but that was at a significant cost to my physical and mental wellbeing. Despite counting 14 hot flushes in 1 day (!), I did not feel I could really discuss the situation with people around me, as my mother and aunts had not really talked it about it openly.
After some time, I researched and accessed expertise that has greatly helped me to manage my symptoms proactively. Help has been provided by medical practitioners, endocrinologists, nutritionists and personal trainers. I now (thanks to Lisa Tarquini and her Reset 40 Program), eat intentionally to ensure I'm getting the nutrition my body needs. I regularly check my hormone levels and adjust HRT for estrogen, progesterone and testosterone - yes, as women, we REALLY need testosterone to continue to maintain and build muscle strength which is critical as we age. I have my bone density assessed regularly, take calcium and vitamin D supplements prescribed by my GP and engage in lots of weight bearing exercise - lifting weights, yoga and walking are some of my favourites! Training and eating for a strong body in my future is a TOP and non-negotiable priority for me.
Every one's situation is different, but in my case, I wished I'd access expert advice earlier in my menopause journey. In addition to learning how to better manage my menopause symptoms, I learned a valuable lesson on how critical that I (and each of us), prioritise taking care of ourselves. I believe we are very fortunate to have great awareness now and more advancements in science and medicine than ever to empower us much more than women in generations before us. We have the power. So, let's use it. Because our wellbeing really matters.
