Menopause Awareness Day: “For the first time in my life, I felt that I was going mad and that I was no longer in control. And that was frightening.”

18 Oct 24

Alice* was 36 when she had an early menopause that was induced as a result of cancer treatment.

“I don’t like to follow the crowd; I like to do things my own way. So, when it came to menopause, I decided that I wasn’t going to have just one, I was going to have two! I had an oestrogen positive breast cancer at 36 and needed intensive treatment which involved a drug that had only really been used on post-menopausal women before, so they induced an early menopause. To be honest, I thought I’d got away with it - night sweats were the worst symptom and I think that I was too busy trying to get better from my cancer to bother with it.

“After about seven years, my periods returned and finally gave up the ghost when I was about 52. That’s when my 2nd menopause began and, oh boy, I was not ready for this! Aside from the night sweats, hot flushes, weight gain and insomnia, I had sudden onset of anxiety. I had never suffered with anxiety in my life – I had gone through cancer and cancer treatment and not been anxious and now I was worrying about EVERYTHING. Just leaving the house was an achievement on some days. What was happening to me? For the first time in my life, I felt that I was going mad and that I was no longer in control. And that was frightening.

“Because of my cancer, I couldn’t go on HRT. Someone recommended acupuncture. I wasn’t sure but decided to give it a go. It was brilliant!

“What I have learnt and am still learning, is that there is help out there, if you are prepared to put time and effort into seeking it out. I live on my own but am lucky to have a good network of friends who have helped me through everything. Keep going and you will get there eventually and hopefully, as I am finding (and my journey still continues), it will help to shape you into a better person for the rest of your life.”

Where to go for help

Like Alice, you may be exploring the different options that are available to support you with managing your symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Particularly if you are feeling low or anxious as a result of hormonal changes, one possible treatment is CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). CBT helps people to manage the way they think and feel, and is available through HPFT’s Talking Therapies , who offer free and confidential talking therapy as well as employment support.

Talking Therapies have a Menopause and Emotional Wellbeing webinar which introduces the physical and emotional difficulties that people may experience when going through perimenopause and menopause.

The webinar presents different tools that individuals can use to look after their emotional wellbeing and to manage their physical symptoms whilst going through this stage of life.

For those wanting to delve a bit deeper, Talking Therapies also offer a free 6-week Peri/Menopause and Emotional Wellbeing group programme, which teaches techniques to reduce stress levels, manage anxiety, and improve mood and sleep when these are affected by peri/menopause. It is a confidential space that allows participants to learn and share their experience with others who may be facing similar challenges.

To find more information or to self-refer to the NHS Hertfordshire and Mid Essex Talking Therapies services please visit: www.hpft-talkingtherapies.nhs.uk or talk to your GP.

Talking Therapies also offer a variety of self-help videos available that focus on a range of topics including stress, sleep, nature and wellbeing, tips for healthcare staff and mindfulness. Click here for more information about our self-help videos.

*Names have been changed to protect identity

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Menopause Awareness Day: “For the first time in my life, I felt that I was going mad and that I was no longer in control. And that was frightening.”