Navigating Midlife

Midlife, menopause its all over the place at the moment. I'm currently on my own journey of navigating this time in my life. I wont lie and say its easy because it isn't but its what you make it. I realised that i was menopausal and not simply deteriorating slowly into old age, after watching the Davina McCall documentary. I was 46. It was the lightbulb moment that made me realise that the weight gain, the shocking memory, fuzzy brain, achy joints and grumpiness plus other things, were something other than getting old. I literally sat there watching it saying Oh My God this is me! It was quite a relief if I'm honest to know that I wasn't completely knackered and ready for the scrap heap just yet. So off I went to the doctors to get HRT. Its not even something I hesitated about going on. I had started doing a lot of research and came across Dr Louise Newson she's a huge advocate for HRT and has spent a lot of time trying to dispel all the myths surrounding it. I understand its not for everyone for various reasons but I felt it was for me.

I rather naively thought it would fix all my problems straight away but obviously that doesn't happen. I soon realised that it was about more than simply replacing lost hormones and that the HRT was just the start of the journey.

Because I already had a Merina Coil fitted as birth control I was given the Gel and told to apply one pump twice a day. It was a bit of a ball ache but I got into the habit and soon stated to feel the benefits. I was still struggling with brain fog and shocking memory and had been looking into testosterone. To get this i had to go private. I initially got the testosterone that's usually given to men, so i was told to apply one pump every other day. It did eventually start making a bit of a difference but not really enough for my liking so i got in touch with Newson Health and got prescribed the Androfem. My other symptoms were still up and down, i was an emotional wreck one minute then bouncing like Tigger the next, it is

exhausting, not only for me but my nearest and dearest too. I increased my gel, but then supply issues meant i had to change to patches. These I have found much easier as you just apply twice a week. I am constantly tweaking my doses and obviously having online consults with a Newson Health Doctor. I feel very privileged that i can afford to pay for private health advice and realise not everyone can, I can only say keep pushing for advice and help from your doctor because the more we get heard the better help everyone will get.

Its not only HRT that is helping me and I will be explaining more in future blogs. Its about finding what works for you as only you will know your body and mind and every single one of us is different so its not a case of one size fits all, but if my journey helps only one other person going though this then its worth it, we are all in this together ladies so lets help each other. Jo x