My Menopause Journey: A Call for Change and Awareness in the Health System
In 2021, at 47 years old, I was living a happy, healthy life in Coogee, Sydney. I had a fulfilling career in a national mental health research organization, a wonderful partner, and the serene lifestyle I had always dreamed of by the ocean. Yet, something began to shift in my body that I couldn't explain. It started with persistent insomnia. I couldn’t fall asleep, or if I did, I’d wake at 3 or 4 am, wide awake, unable to return to sleep. At first, I thought it was just stress or a temporary issue. I ate healthily, exercised daily, and practiced meditation. But it persisted. I went to my GP, who suggested sleeping tablets or Valium. Neither worked, and I felt sluggish and defeated. It was a solution I didn’t want to pursue. I convinced myself it would pass, that I could handle it. But then, things started to worsen.
The pain of menopause sets in
Joint pain followed. My wrist, knee, and ankles began to ache. I reduced my running, tried yoga, and visited the doctor, who suggested an ultrasound for my wrist, diagnosing it with tenosynovitis. He attributed my joint pain to “age” and urged me to push through. But the fatigue, the irritability, the anxiety — they didn’t go away. The problems multiplied.
By 2022, my physical and mental health were suffering, and I was waking drenched in night sweats. I would wake up needing to shower. The hot flashes, irregular bleeding, and ongoing fatigue left me feeling like I was losing control of my body. I had never really thought about menopause before. My mother, who had sailed through menopause with few symptoms, and my friends, who were much younger, hadn’t talked about it. I realized I knew nothing about menopause. I was blind to the signs that pointed to perimenopause. And like many women, I had no idea how to navigate it.
The signs and symptoms now showing
It was only when my periods became erratic in late 2022 and 2023 that I began to understand the gravity of what I was going through. Heavy, prolonged bleeding every month for several weeks — sometimes with little relief between cycles. I had already been to six different GPs over the years, none of whom had even mentioned the word “menopause” or “perimenopause.” One even dismissed it, saying that all women in their late forties are tired and stressed, as if it were just part of aging. None of them talked to me about symptoms, treatment options, or how to manage this transition. Even when I raised the idea of perimenopause, the response was always a vague “maybe” or a suggestion to push through. Was menopause such a taboo that even the medical professionals I trusted were avoiding it?
As I continued to endure, I began searching online for answers. I stumbled upon the truth: perimenopause could be the cause of my fatigue, my joint pain, my irritability, and anxiety. My hope grew, but so did the fear. How could this be? How could something so significant, impacting half of the population, be so shrouded in silence and stigma?
On turning 50, and turning my life around
In 2023, I turned fifty. My life had changed significantly. I had moved to a new home, had been promoted at work, and was surrounded by support. But inside, I was struggling. I was tired all the time, exhausted to the point where some days, getting out of bed felt impossible. I tried to push through it all, but I was breaking. My family in the UK were facing crises, and I was expected to hold everything together. I felt as if the weight of the world was on my shoulders. My skin broke out in a rash, I couldn’t sleep, and I felt like I was drowning.
That was when I found hope. While visiting my family in the UK, I spoke with my sister, who had been on HRT (hormone replacement therapy) for several years. Her transformation was nothing short of miraculous. She had gone from irritable and overwhelmed to calm, happy, and stable. She encouraged me to consider HRT. At first, I hesitated, unsure of the risks and unsure if it was the right choice for me. But as I learned more — from the expert podcasts, books, and resources — I realized that HRT could offer me a lifeline. Unlike the old research that linked HRT to cancer risks, modern evidence showed that body-identical hormones were safe, effective, and could significantly alleviate perimenopausal symptoms.
Upon returning to Australia, I decided to find a doctor who specialized in women's health. Seven GPs later, I found the right one. She was knowledgeable, compassionate, and supportive. I left her office with a prescription for HRT, and within just two weeks, I felt the fog lifting. My insomnia decreased, my night sweats faded, and I began to feel like myself again. I was able to sleep through the night and woke up feeling restored.
Undergoing surgery and uterine issues
By mid-2024, after undergoing surgery to address uterine issues related to my heavy bleeding, I was feeling better than I had in years. The joint pain had subsided, my energy had returned, and the anxiety had lessened. I had taken control of my health, and it felt empowering.
However, as I reflect on my journey, I am struck by how many women are still suffering in silence. Despite the millions of women experiencing perimenopausal symptoms, many are still left in the dark. Many GPs still don’t recognize the significance of menopause, and workplaces are still ill-equipped to provide the support women need, even mental health organisations. This needs to change.
Women deserve better. We need:
GPs and healthcare professionals who are trained to recognize and address perimenopausal symptoms and provide evidence-based treatment options, particularly HRT.
Workplaces that create menopause-friendly environments via menopause policies, awareness and training, to ensure women feel supported during this transition.
A public campaign to reduce the stigma surrounding menopause, raise awareness of the symptoms, and provide accessible information on treatment options.
The time for change is now.
We need to empower women with knowledge, support, and understanding. Menopause should no longer be a secret, a source of shame, or something women are expected to suffer through in silence. It's time to break the silence and create a world where women can thrive through every stage of life.
This is a condensed version of my submission to the Australian Federal Government Senate Inquiry: Issues related to menopause and perimenopause on 17th June 2024, whereby I was invited to speak in the opening Senate Inquiry in Sydney.
The Senate Inquiry explored the broad impacts of menopause and perimenopause including economic effects like reduced workforce participation and productivity, physical symptoms and poor healthcare access and provision, mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.
The Senate Inquiry into issues related to perimenopause and menopause in Australia concluded its work with a report tabled on September 18, 2024, with 25 recommendations. Read the report here: https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/reportsen/RB000290/toc_pdf/Issuesrelatedtomenopauseandperimenopause.pdf