Our Collective Voice: “I was only 44…I thought the menopause was for old ladies”

I was sat in the doctor’s office when a wave of heat came over me that I had never felt before. I thought I was going to faint and had beads of sweat running off my face. The doctor chuckled and said “You are in the menopause”. I was shocked – I was only 44. I thought the menopause was for old ladies!

That first hot flush was followed by night sweats so bad I would wake up in a pool of water in the bed. 22 years later, the hot flushes continue and I have still never worn a polyester blouse since that first day!

I did try to get treatment but I was refused HRT. At the time, I wasn’t armed with enough information to fight for the help I needed.