Let’s talk about the menopause. It’s something every woman goes through as hormone levels drop, marking the end of their reproductive years.
When I was a girl (many moons ago) the menopause was referred to in hushed tones as “going through the Change” or “that time of life” and “women of a certain age”.
Just what that change means in reality and exactly when that time of life happens was never discussed. No forewarning of how debilitating symptoms can be for some women and what those symptoms are, aside from knowing it will be the end to monthly periods.
But society has gone through its own change recently and more women who are perimenopausal and menopausal are speaking up.
Leading the charge in Teesdale is the TCR Hub. It has been providing a space for women to chat to others in a safe and non-judgemental environment by running a monthly Menopause Café for the past year.
The cafe, which operates every fourth Tuesday of the month, between 7.30pm and 8.30pm, has been a success, with many taking advantage of the peer-to-peer support available to navigate their way through.
The cafe is complemented with meno-information sessions every second Tuesday of the month that have featured a variety of demonstrations and taster activities which can women help cope with symptoms of the menopause.
Rachel Tweddle, chief executive of the Hub, is a regular attendee of the café and meno-info sessions, along with friends, said: “It was all of our idea to get together and support each other.”
Kirsty Rackham said: “I think since Davina McCall did a documentary people are more open about talking about the menopause.
“We are talking about our own experiences and we are very open about it, which is great. I have two children – a son and a daughter – and we talk about this at the dinner table. I hope when they are older, they will be able to talk to their children because some of the symptoms are quite scary.”
It is thought there are at least 35 symptoms of the menopause aside from periods stopping that can have a big impact affecting daily life, family life and relationships.
Symptoms range from hot flushes, joint aches, anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, dry and itchy skin, migraines, recurrent urinary infections through to sensitive teeth, irritability, weight gain and heart palpitations.
As everyone is uniquely individual no two women’s experience will be the same: the age it begins can range from mid-forties, and how long it lasts can range from mid-forties through to mid-fifties.
Rachel Atkinson, who is peri-menopausal, said: “It’s all very random. I don’t have hot flushes and I sleep like a log, but I’ve suffered infections. I knew I was menopausal – I haven’t had a period since 2017 but my hormone levels were so low and then little things started happening. There are so many symptoms associated with it.”
Ms Tweddle added: “I seem to be on the verge of tears all the time.”
Esther Jackson said: “I remember my mum struggled and the doctors put it down to depression. Looking back, it was the menopause.
“The first thing I started with was really bad anxiety. It was so bad I struggled to leave the house. It was really not manageable. I was about 44 at the time that started and three years in, I’m still suffering.”
Some women however do experience a number of symptoms combined that can be debilitating. Cloedie Yeadon said: “The worst symptom I have had is heart palpitations. I definitely thought I was having a heart attack when it first happened.
“I went to A&E and they put me on a heart monitor. I’ve found if I have a lack of sleep the palpitations are worse. But I have gone down the HRT and testosterone route which is helping.”
She added: “I think coming here, talking to other people and hearing about how they have other symptoms, helps. We are all friends and are able to talk to each other, but there will be others who maybe don’t have anyone to chat to and that is part of what the sessions are about
“We have had some brilliant sessions with demonstrations from shade making to breath work as well as sound bathing. Meditation isn’t for me, but the breathing – because you count rather than concentrating on palpitations – has worked for me.”
Thecafe and meno-info sessions are run by volunteers and open to everyone. Ms Tweddle added: “We’re also doing a mini-meno market and it will feature stalls from the businesses that have given us demonstrations through the year.
The mini-meno market on Tuesday, December 10, from 7pm until 8.30pm is free to attend and there will be a complimentary drink. There will be stalls and demos from Oh So Shady, Inky Art by Sarah, Pebble Heaven, Handmade by Abi, Lakeside Beauty and cakes.
Ms Tweddle added: “It’s a themed event to sooth everyone frazzled by Christmas prep.”
