Wrong place at the wrong time. (A short blog on wrong referrals for menopause)

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

Where's the surprise? (An update on menopause symptoms)

So Anyway.

January was a practice run, and February is really when the new year started, well that’s how it’s working out for me anyway.

I have noticed over the last few months, since about November ish, that my frequent menopause symptoms have been amplifying themselves again, and really, I am NOT surprised.

When you know better you do better. I know that excessive carbohydrates can set things off for me, but it’s been so bloody cold and recently, that I have been craving butter soaked toast, and Greggs sausage rolls, and I know that it’s because I have been indulging regularly, that’s the reason that things are kicking off again.

Slight bloating, not as bad as it was, but the hot sweats have now been accompanied by a new pal, the COLD sweats. My hands and the back of my neck for some reason go icy cold and I am sweating as well.

So here I am having a word with myself about how to look after myself better, and stop literally saying F**k it to food groups that, when eaten daily, really do make my body react in unpleasant ways.

Menopause sweats equals stress, which equals cortisol levels increasing, which then brings on weight gain, which then makes me feel like crap, and makes me reach for the carbs to comfort eat.

Yes I am health coach, and yes I literally do still have to have a stern word with myself.

Just a short post today but the message is, yes if you make a 1% improvement in your life it can snowball into something amazing by the end of the week/month.

It’s the same the other way.

If you are consistently 1% rubbish with food, movement, sleep patterns, stress, it will also snowball into something bigger after one week or month.

Ooft.

Onward!

Haters gonna Hate (but what if it's you?)

So anyway…

Over the last week, I have noticed a few people making really negative comments about themselves.

I don’t like my figure

I don’t like my stomach

My wrinkles look awful on zoom (who does?)

I don’t like my hair

Just to name a few that come to mind.

Up until a few months ago, I was doing the same to myself, but then I decided to start treating those areas that I don’t like, with a bit more self care, body oils, taking better care of my nails. Has anything changed about me appearance? Well, yes! my skin doesn’t feel so dry, and I do find I’ve been making more mindful choices about food and how I fuel myself, because, no gets it right over Christmas and being in such close proximity to Quality Street. I will quite happily graze on chocolate til the cows come home.

So what can you do to get out of that rut?

Remember you are still alive. As drama queeny as it sounds, if you are alive, your are already a success.

I spoke with one lady this week, a new Mum, baby is 4 months old. She wasn’t happy with how her body was looking 4 months after giving birth. I have a lot of empathy for anyone who doesn’t like what they see in the mirror, as being menopausal, my confidence crashed really badly with regard to my appearance.

I gently reminded her, that she had must made a human, and that her body had made a brain, a heart and a spinal cord. How amazing is that!!!

Whatever your reason for not liking your body just now, here is a list of my go to’s for how to pick yourself up again.

Just get the basics right, brushing your teeth and moisturising your face (men too!)

Make sleep part of your day, and not just something you fit in

If you can’t find anything good on TV to watch, put it off, and get a book or magazine to read

Put yourself back to school in whatever you fancy. I have fallen down a crochet rabbit hole. Yes you read that right. All my friends are getting toilet roll holders for their birthday. Do you remember doing art at school? Or sewing? I bloody loved it. Why did I forget that? Who didn’t doodle on their jotters? Get doodling my friends.

Surround yourself with great scents. I am writing this with the smell of geranium coming out of a diffuser. Marvellous. Here’s a link to a the oil I am using.

Lavender and Cedarwood are also excellent for grounding if you feel you are too much in your head.

Drink water: I have to remind myself to do it, but a great party trick is to drink a big glass when you get up, before you have your coffee. It’s a good way to get a head start.

So anyway!

That will do for just now, I hope I have given you some good ideas on how to like your physical self a bit more. Get moisturising, and start loving those bits you don’t like just now.

Think about how much stagnant energy you may be trapping in those parts of your body you repeatedly say you don’t like. Oooft.

Onward!