Sharron Chadwick - “Menopause Awareness Month”

Sharron Chadwick as she continues with this month’s theme “Menopause Awareness Month”

Transcript

Menopause is a natural part of aging and marks the end of a females reproductive years.

On average menopause happens at the age of 52 however its not unusual for it to happen earlier or later. 

It’s a natural process that occurs when a ladies ovaries stop producing reproductive hormones.  Hormonal changes due to menopause can cause uncomfortable physical and emotional symptoms. There are many symptoms some more severe than others.

So what do I know about menopause – its unpleasant, its scary, its life changing – I was thrown into surgical menopause last year after having to have a full hysterectomy due to fibroids, was I nervous absolutely not, the way I looked at it was  I seen it that I wouldn’t be in pain anymore however the months that followed were increasingly difficult, I didn’t really know what to expect nobody really talks about it, the doctors are certainly not clued up on it, I didn’t know how I was meant to feel, and whether what I was feeling was the norm.

The symptoms I was experiencing were not nice, the hot flushes, the night sweats, the itchy ears, brain fog – I thought I was going mad, my memory is not what it used to be now so yes brain fog is a real thing.  I was changing my bed daily due to the night sweats – thankfully with the help of HRT I now have the flushes etc under control, ive read books to help me understand how I am feeling is ok and it is completely normal, menopause changes you as a women in a way nobody can explain, its probably the hardest thing ive gone through as a woman, sometimes not liking myself at all, sometimes to the extent that you don’t feel like a women anymore.

A few years ago I took on a lifestyle change where I lost a lot of weight – that life style is not recommended whilst in menopause so ive had to rethink strategies, ive also had my thyroid removed so was double whammy for me last year and because of this 3 stone of the 5 I lost has gone back on BUT im ok with that now, I wasn’t and I beat myself up really bad for it, my body had been through a complete change and I just wasn’t being kind to myself, I am on the next stage of my life now and Im going to enjoy it to the max, I walk 5k a day still, I cycle and I still run (although on a treadmill) so exercise is really important through menopause not only to keep healthy but also to keep your mind healthy and obviously the weight down.

Its also difficult for people around you, those closest will see the change in you, the ups and downs in your mood so try and get them involved in researching menopause and they  too will understand a little better.

Would recommend anybody going through menopause or maybe in perimenopause to join online groups where other women can give advice as its certainly helped me to understand this massive change.

Embrace it ladies – you’ve got this 😊