What an honour it was to be asked to be among a select group of women to feature in this month’s big menopause feature in NewsCorp’s national Body+Soul magazine.
In case you missed it, I joined regular 50 So What contributor, menopause expert Dr Fatima Khan, among others, to answer a series of candid questions to mark World Menopause Month.
The feature was also timed to coincide with a Senate committee’s recent release of its hotly anticipated report on perimenopause and menopause in Australia.
We’ll be keeping you up to date about what all that means in future posts, including what the resulting national action plan might look like.
Meanwhile, below is my full interview with the wonderful Alex Davies from Body+Soul.
Body+Soul: Would you mind sharing where you are in your menopause journey, and when perimenopause began for you?
50SoWhat: Perimenopause started for me in my 40s. I am now 53 and post-menopausal (I haven’t had a period for just under two years).
Body+Soul: Can you please share a few ways that perimenopause has impacted your mental wellbeing and moods? What strategies/activities have you found to be helpful for your mental health and mindset during this time?
50 So What: Perimenopause was tough for me. Everything changed. My body, my mood, my sex drive, my confidence, everything. I felt like physically and mentally I was falling apart. Hot flushes, mood swings, hair in places I had never had before, headaches, sadness, brain fog, gas (that one was a shock), sore bones, tiredness, weak bladder (sneezing was not good!), anxiety and just a general feeling of being overwhelmed and not in my own body (that sounds strange but is the only way I can explain it). My body didn’t feel like it was mine. It was a lot and hit me like a tonne of bricks.
I decided it was time to take control, I was sick of feeling out of control. The best thing I did was talk to a menopause specialist, I saw a dietitian as well, I started to make lifestyle changes such as more walking, grounding (being barefoot in the sand or grass – I sound like a right nutter, but it helped), earlier nights, fresh air, being kinder to myself, talking to other perimenopausal/menopausal women. Being more open about what I was going through was instrumental for me. That’s why I started 50 So What. To create a community of like-minded women who support each other, talk honestly and openly. Taking the stigma out of menopause is key. So many women feel isolated.
Body+Soul: Have you experienced hot flushes, and if so, are there any things that’ve helped you to manage them?
50 So What: Yes, I experienced them. They were horrific. I couldn’t function. I was having at least 10 a day and then at night I was waking up constantly. My body felt like it was on fire. I would be in business meetings and a flush would hit, and I would be soaked. It was embarrassing.
I was so reluctant to start HRT, to be honest I was dead against it for a long time. However, I decided to try it, and it has been the best thing I did. I feel like me again. I know it’s not for everyone, but trust me, it has given my life back. I am all about everyone doing what works for them. I will never judge anyone for who they get through their perimenopause/menopause.
Body+Soul: Have you made any changes to your nutrition or movement/exercise approaches that seem to have helped with perimenopause symptoms?
50 So What: Yes, I do weights, as this is extremely important as we head into menopause. I move more, I stand up more instead of sitting (I got myself a stand-up desk), I walk more, and going to a dietitian helped immensely. I increased my fresh food intake, my protein, greens, and eat healthy good carbs. The key was a balanced diet and fuelling my body so it can function efficiently, but still having treats.
Body+Soul: You’ve opened up such an important conversation about libido/sex drive during perimenopause. If you’re happy to share, would you mind telling me a little about how this stage of life has impacted your libido? Are there any strategies or approaches that are making a difference and helping you to navigate this?
50 So What: My sex drive took a very long gap year! A VERY long gap year or two! I have always been open and honest about this. So many women have experienced. It affects our confidence and for many, their relationships. It was so important to talk about it, to be open about it.
The best thing to do is talk about it. Talk to your GP, your menopause specialist, a friend and especially to your partner. It is nothing to be embarrassed about, but I acknowledge it’s a hard conversation to have.
Counselling can help, creams can help with dryness (a side effect of changing hormones), and testosterone can help.
Being kind to yourself, giving yourself time. An understanding partner helps. My husband has the patience of a saint.
Body+Soul: You’ve written about perimenopause/menopause being a time that can feel quite isolating. What would you say to anyone feeling like this, and what would you love for all women to know about navigating this time?
50 So What: When I started going through this, I felt extremely isolated, embarrassed and lost. I quickly learned that creating a community and sharing experiences helped me cope. I wasn’t alone, it wasn’t just me, and there are a whole group of other women going through the same thing. It helped to talk about the embarrassing things. It took the stigma out of it, and made me realise we are all going through a similar experience. Having a laugh also helped, also the odd cry helped.
I would say to other women, you are never alone, ever! There is a community of women here for you, here to support you. Talk, talk to a friend, a family member, connect via Instagram to menopause accounts, talk to your doctor, just talk.
The more we share, the more we talk, the more we laugh, the more we support each other, the better. Honest open conversations are important. Together we are stronger together.