Men-o-pause

Even the name says it – men back up and back away, this may not be pleasant!

You really don’t know what’s going to hit you or when. Changes can come on gradually and be so subtle to start with that it can take a while to realise what’s going on. For me it started with lethargy and brain fog, but if you speak to anyone these days, they’ll tell you they’re tired. I assumed the brain fog had to do with being tired and didn’t automatically put the two together with a change in hormones.

It's no wonder that women can feel completely unlike themselves when the range of symptoms include (but are not limited to):

• Night sweats

• Hot flushes

• Brain fog

• Low energy

• Anger

• Anxiety

• Irregular sleep

• Bloating

• Hair loss

At least at the end of it you don’t have to deal with periods anymore, but you have to get through it first, ideally with your relationships and sanity intact!

I recently spoke with a friend who said she’s been in tears daily for the last few months, feeling anxious and not at all like herself. Now this is one strong woman; educated, intelligent and in possession of a high-powered job. There was no big life change or a dramatic event, but she felt completely unlike herself. Fast forward a few months and she’s now getting into a routine taking HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and has been told to expect to feel like her usual self again in around three months. Add to that the amount of time it’s taken to identify the cause and you can be looking at a hefty length of time to be feeling ‘not like yourself.’

So women, give yourselves a break and realise this is all out of your hands. Get help where you can and if you have a man in your life, let them know what they can expect. Hopefully you’ll be one of the lucky ones that sail through unaffected, but otherwise know you’re in good company and we’re all in the same boat. Just trying not to sink!

For more information or support visit: Australian Menopause Centre