This week we talk with Diane Danzebrink, campaigner, psychotherapist and menopause expert about her experience of menopause which was brought on by surgery for a hysterectomy, after discovering she had ovarian cysts, endometriosis, adenomyosis and a large fibroid. So severe were the psychological effects of menopause that it almost resulted in Diane ending her life. She tells the story in this episode.

Her website is www.menopausesupport.co.uk and you can sign the petition (please do because it’s getting very close to the all-important 200k) here. There are also extensive resources available on her website, she also records a podcast called The Good The Bad and The Downright Sweaty

Other episodes we have done on the menopause are:

78 Knowing and Navigating the Symptoms of menopause with Diane Danzebrink

79 Beyond the Bleed with psychologist Dr Becky Quicke

91 Sharon Hartmann – how to approach your GP

92 Food mood and hormones – Emma Ellice Flint

93 Testosterone is not just for boys, another great campaigner Dr Zoe Hodson

Please do come and join our Facebook group, and if you’d like to subscribe so you receive the podcast into your inbox, then please do on womenwhatwhistle.com

Finally, just a quick reminder - menopause itself is one day. It’s one year after your last period, however, it takes approximately 10 years of hormone change to get to that point, and it’s those years that we refer to when we say perimenopause. A LOT happens in that time – far from hot flushes!! Estrogen receptors are scattered throughout our bodies and so when our estrogen levels drop, it can affect us dramatically – the list of symptoms is long!

Physical:

• Hair loss
• Weight gain
• Brittle nails
• Vaginal dryness
• Sleep disorders
• Dizziness
• Incontinence
• Allergies
• Breast pain
• Headaches
• Joint pain
• Itchy skin
• Irregular periods
• Irregular heartbeat/palpitations
• Osteoporosis
• Burning tongue
• Tingling
• Gum problems
• Night sweats
• Hot flushes
• Changes in body odour
• Digestive problems

There can also be profound Psychological symptoms too, as we hear in this episode

• Mood swings
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory lapses
• Loss of libido

Remember, everyone's journey will be different. Please do not suffer in silence, there are many support groups and a wealth of information available. Reach out and connect, please don't hold back. Pipa x