So anyway.

I got to thinking about being a woman in her 50s (because I am), and how I got to where I am with my health.

I am very lucky to work in my chosen industry, because it does lend yourself to a knowledge base, and also contact with other health professionals, that have opened my eyes to a lot of gaps in strategic documents and advice available to women over 40.

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, that I am personally dumbfounded by the fact that when I was in my late teens in and early 20s, my GP at the time spoke about the pill, the coil, and implants on every single visit that I was there, regardless of the reason for booking. Contraception was very much ‘sold’ to me that it would make my life better, ease off period pain, make sure that I didn’t have an unplanned pregnancy. Hormones were basically promoted to help make my life better.

Lets fast forward another 20 years when women, myself included, get unexplained UTI infections, urgency to pee constantly and the stress that goes along with it, other people NOT understanding or tolerating what was happening to me (one person close to me didn’t speak to me for 3 months because they found it a challenge putting up with my toilet habits, it really annoyed them. Don’t worry, we are thick as thieves now). I have since found out that this is due to collagen decreasing throughout the body, and the bladder and ureters get affected by this imbalance and go into panic mode.

Also add in joint pain, clicking joints in hands, brain fog, being unable to form sentences, and stronger personalities trying to dominate you by confusing you on a daily basis, and it doesn’t sound good does it?

I have been hearing about a few cases of women referred to rheumatology or endocrine specialists, and the consultants then write back advising the GP that all the patient needs is a course of HRT, as neither patient nor GP even thought that perimenopause or menopause was a factor.

If you are reading this, and any of it is sounding familiar, I can’t stress enough how important it is to write things down as they happen and keep a track of your symptoms, so you can go to your GP with prepared notes instead of sitting in a chair trying to piece everything together.

Also, know that things WILL get better. I went through 18 months in total of sheer hell with symptoms, some of which do still rear their ugly head every now and again.

Anxiety I think is possibly the worst one that comes back, I just stay clear of challenging people, that’s what seems to work for me. It’s better than starting an argument. Step away from the burning car.

A good resource website is The Menopause Doctor and Louise also has good podcasts to dive into as well.

I also am a menopause coach and you can get my workshop and workbook here . I don’t give medical advice unlike Louise Newson, as she’s a Doctor, but I do is go through all the steps to reduce stress and put some clarity into situations that could be making things worse with symptoms.

Please know that you are not alone in this, and that the right information and support is out there.

I can help you find it.

Onward!

Elizabeth