In this weeks Topic.....a personal account - facing, managing and surviving the menopause
Posted by Eamonn Brady on
Menopause
How to survive it
One Lady’s Experience
Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 35 to 55. It is a signal that this is the end of a woman’s productive life and monthly periods come to an end. At this time many women can feel unattractive and even less of a woman.
There is help there
The very word can send shivers through many women. Like death and taxes, mild to severe symptoms of the menopause are inevitable. Everywhere you go, you can get information on the subject, library, internet and magazines, to name a few. Sometimes we can get bogged down and confused reading some of the very technical medical literature printed. It is always better to get professional advice from the beginning. The best place to start is your GP or Pharmacist who will give advice on the best course of action for you to take.
I can talk from personal experience, as I hit the menopause a few years ago. Like some women, I tried to ignore it and hoped it would go away. I thought it was just my imagination and really did not want to face “it” was happening.
How I experienced relief
I experienced the sleepless nights, mood swings, loss of concentration, loss of self esteem, irritability, night sweats and hot flushes – at the most inconvenient moments. I lost interest in many of the things in life I had always enjoyed. It as a horrible time, I felt depressed and hardly recognised myself. Luckily, I had an excellent and understanding GP, going to see him was the first step to getting my old life back. Every woman is different and what works for one may not work for another. Hormone replacement therapy was prescribed by my GP and I was lucky that it worked for me. Like any new medicine, my GP explained all the pros and cons of HRT; for example, it slightly increases your risk of breast cancer. After a couple of months, I noticed a great improvement and started to enjoy life again. I also watched my diet and took plenty of exercise.
So, don’t suffer unnecessarily, talk to your pharmacist or GP and help yourself. There are many ways to ease the symptoms of the menopause and you need to find what works for you the best.
If you find that the treatment you are on is not working, go and find alternative. Go get your life back and enjoy being a fabulous woman again.
Many Thanks
Thanks to staff member Lorraine Murphy, staff member at Whelehans Pharmacy Pearse St Mullingar for this insightful description of her experience of going through menopause.
Disclaimer: This is one lady’s experience, and what works for one person may not work for everyone. Please ensure you consult with your healthcare professional before making any changes recommended
For comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans Pharmacies, log on to www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591 (Pearse St) or 04493 10266 (Clonmore).