Over the last few months I have felt like something alien has taken over my body and mind. I get forgetful and irritable, I ache pretty much all over, I have bursts of energy but am mainly exhausted and my periods are so irregular it is untrue. I didn’t think I could be menopausal just yet but looks like I am.
Perimenopause is the technical name for the years (yes years!) from when symptoms begin (hot flushes, irregular periods) and the menopause completes (no period for over 12 months) and it seems that I am in this stage now. How lucky are the people around me! I cannot believe that it can last years!
Anyway, I am here to tell you that this secret group (nobody likes to talk about it) needs to be heard. I am currently reading all about how we feel, what changes our bodies are going through, what can help etc and I want to be able to offer help to anyone out there suffering in silence.
Counselling, particularly CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is really useful in processing what we are going through and helping us to navigate the period (sorry) of time it takes to move from perimenopausal to post menopausal. Please keep a look out for blogs and book reviews on this subject and get in touch with me if you have any questions. I am not a menopause expert (just a woman going through it) but I am a counsellor and I work in a professional way.
We’ve got this ladies, we can get through the maze of what is a very important part of our lives. It is not the end, it’s just the start of a new chapter.
Victoria Warwick-Jones Counselling 