Hormonal  Journey of a Mumpreneur 

Lorna Ive 

So This is 50!

 

Milestones, balloons and celebrations! 

 

My milestone birthday finally arrived last month, during July and it was not quite the birthday experience I had expected. This sound familiar to you? What was your 50th birthday experience during the pandemic?  

 

Covid arrived at our home for our birthday week and suddenly we found ourselves isolating. It came as an enormous shock as we have all had our double vaccinations. Please be extra careful and cautious out and about readers, practice the safety measures.

 

The champagne bubbles, balloons and birthday celebrations will have to wait a bit longer for the time being. This could be the longest birthday celebration! 

I am thankful to have reached this special birthday.  A sense of dread had loomed prior and a pressure to do the expected celebrations had started to creep in.  Navigating the ever changing pandemic situation was making it harder to organise and plan.  It was a totally different experience on the day and one that I rather secretly enjoyed and will not forget! 

I ensured I did what I wanted to do all day!  

What have you learnt about yourselves during the pandemic? Have you also changed plans for birthdays, weddings and special occasions? 

Fortunately the sun was shining, with my earphones on I imagined I was on a faraway beach. It was just as good as the real thing! 

We have all learnt throughout the pandemic what matters to us most. It is our health and loved ones. If you too are spending a birthday in isolation, make the most of what you have and be thankful to celebrate the day with the ones you love. Always be young at heart and keep a warm heart. 

Early menopause, surely not, not me? 

If you had asked me 8 years ago that I would be writing to you to highlight early menopause, I would not have believed you.

Upon reflection, looking back at my early menopause symptoms, which began around the age of 35 with heavy periods. I put this down to just  being “me. I felt as though I must have been the only woman to have had continuous problems and suffering with periods, PMT and pain. I had absolutely no idea of what was lying in wait for me.

I felt l was swimming in a sea of loneliness and confusion at a very vulnerable time.  I had no idea what was happening to my body and my overall well being, I just knew that something was not right.  At 43 years old with an unhelpful GP I battled through. 

You can’t quite convey the feelings but you know something is not right. You just know your own body, don’t you?  My friends or family could not relate or understand. 

Have you had a similar experience? Were you aware of perimenopause? Do you have a supportive Doctor? 

I experienced insomnia, fatigue, hot flushes, and anxiety.  I was really struggling by this stage. I changed my GP, this was to be a defining moment for myself. A supportive GP and their time was all it took to help and guide me. I was referred to a new Gynaecologist, who simply said to me, 

“Have you had your hormones tested?”

“No” I replied,

“You could be having an early Menopause”

“No, not me surely not, I’m too young” 

That’s when I came to a realisation of the journey that I had been on.

I felt instant relief with the knowledge, but at the same time a sense of great loss.   Waves of emotions would come and go, anger and grief. 

I realised at this point that no one speaks of the menopause and most definitely not an early Menopause.  Whether it is a generation issue or one’s own pride. Women do not talk about it. This needs to change (pardon the pun), women need to know what to expect and be prepared for when it comes.  It can feel a very lonely place as you do feel different. I experienced feelings of anger as I felt I was not ready to have this happen to me and that It had never occurred to me that I was in the throes of an early Menopause.

How have you managed your menopause? What helped you through your symptoms? 

I was prescribed HRT and I can honestly say it changed my quality of life. Would you like to know more about how I can help you? 

Be your own advocate!

• • Log your symptoms – keeping a track of symptoms and feelings. 
  • Exercise – fresh air and exercise can help you feel good. Walking is good for bone strength! Get outside more. 
  • Diet – Eat a healthy and varied diet. Increase calcium for good bone health, plenty of green vegetables, protein, pulses and limit sugar and alcohol. 
  • Take time out of your day to just sit and unwind. Keep a journal of how you feel, what you have achieved during the day. List three goals you would like to reach each day and three things you are grateful for during the day.
  • Make an appointment with your GP and take your log of symptoms and ask for blood tests and what treatments are available to you. 
  • Seek alternative treatments – acupuncture, homeopathy and aromatherapy offer support for perimenopause and menopause symptoms. 
  • Cold water swimming is great for regulating body temperature and combats hot flushes! 

• I am not medically trained, this is my own experience and research.  If you have any concerns or genuine issues please seek professional medical advice. 

 

 

Lorna Ive is a women’s health and wellbeing expert. 

Lorna Ive IP/ 6/8/21