I was feeling nostalgic the other day and looking through some old photos, which started me wondering what I would do if I met my younger self. Would I warn her about the dodgy perm and big glasses of the 1980s? (Yup, that’s me far right in the top picture, with some of my oldest friends in a “then and now” taking at my 50th). Probably not about the hair, but warning my younger self about menopause would be a definite.
Which got me wondering: what advice would you tell your younger self about menopause?
I put the question to my Twitter feed and was inundated with loads of insightful, helpful and funny replies. Here’s a selection…
Be kind to yourself ❤️
— Sue Messy (@SueMessy) May 4, 2021
Put yourself on The Priority List NOW, be kind to yourself, find the best sleep routine for you, move for joy, spend time outside, ask for help, ask again if you don’t feel you’re listened to, take advice from the right people + choose wisely. You are not alone + you will be ok. pic.twitter.com/7taEMLWpxA
— Jo Moseley (@Healthyhappy50) May 5, 2021
Plan to feel like shit.
— Su Butcher 💚 (@SuButcher) May 4, 2021
Expect your GP to refuse to talk to you or offer antidepressants.
Plan to pay for HRT.
Look out for other women and help them.
That menopause doesn’t start with your periods stopping 🤷♀️
— KPicks (@KPicks65) May 4, 2021
The years of perimenopause can be hell- and you don’t have to ‘put up’ with it – it’s a thing and can be managed and treated!
Libido might weaken, sex may become painful
— Disseminatrix (@Xmelisande) May 4, 2021
Get ready for the fight of your life when you see your GP for treatment !!!!!
— Debbie Holden 💙 (@DebbieAHolden) May 4, 2021
Educate, educate, educate, others.
Share and discuss and empower others 💕💕💕💕
Buy very big knickers for post surgery comfort (surgical menopause) & when you get to 60, DO NOT BELIEVE YOUR GP WHEN SHE SAYS YOU HAVE TO STOP HAVING HRT!
— Nana! (@SheilaTnowC) May 4, 2021
Be prepared!
— Meno Mave (Kate Duffy) (@menopausalmave) May 4, 2021
To my younger self:
— Dolores Allen (@Dangermouseme) May 4, 2021
Don’t believe you’re GP when at age 45(ish) he tells you that you’re too young to be experiencing perimenopause symptoms.
It’s gonna be a Sh12 ride but worth the journey and FREEDOM on the other side 🙌🥂🥰
— #QueenOfBehaviours 🌻 (@vic_ofarrell) May 4, 2021
You’re not going “mad”, you don’t need antidepressants.
— Paula Adamson (@pmadamson68) May 4, 2021
Trust your instincts, you’re the expert on “you”
If you suffered with PMS & Post Natal Depression explain you recognise your mental “state” is due to hormones, you’ve been here before!
Not everyone has a difficult time…
— claire pring (@cpringdance) May 5, 2021
There are answers and solutions so do not spend time suffering in silence.
— CleopatraLife (@CleopatraLife3) May 5, 2021
It is a long slow unpredictable process that cannot be trusted for a moment. Take drugs.
— The Bewilderness( Rose Grant) 🕸️ (@tehbewilderness) May 4, 2021
This too shall pass 😆
— Best Before End Date Blog (@BeforeEndDate) May 4, 2021
The rage ! Irrational fury can derail a 20 year career
— Katy Braisby (@KatyBraisby) May 4, 2021
harness your rage, use it well, don’t try to talk/think your way out of it. We run out of fucks to give as we run out of eggs.. there’s power to be found in here, even as we’re trying to navigate it all. + understand it’s equivalent physical upheaval to puberty – be kind to self
— Grace Hawthorn (@grace_hawthorn) May 5, 2021
Everything as I was never told by anybody, I just thought women got very hot and grumpy lol.
— Sarah Lee (@Greeneyedcurve) May 5, 2021
I was ready for hot flushes & night sweats, but I didn’t realise I’d have them at the same time that I’m still having periods. Nor did I realise that my periods would get so heavy – I thought they’d just tail off gracefully…but no 😂
— AudreyMitty (@AudreyMitty) May 4, 2021
It can happen well before your 50s, there’s about a 10 year run-up during which you will experience a kaleidoscope of symptoms that will make you feel like you’re going mad, and pretty much nobody will understand or give a shit. https://t.co/PuKyEpQPpd
— Deb (@yarnydeb) May 4, 2021
Learn about your hormone blueprint from #menstruation to #menopause
— The Menopause Directory & School (@MenoDirectory) May 5, 2021
Tune in to your mind & body.
Oestrogens are the powerhouse of hormones. They do more than you are told at school
Use food to nourish you and keep moving
Reduce stress
Inform yourself about HRT
Tell everyone 😎
So, what would you tell your younger self about menopause? Let me know in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to get monthly updates and your free guide to living a happier and healthier menopause and midlife.
