José (62): "I sometimes wondered if I was going through menopause because I didn’t notice anything”

Reading time: approx. 3 minutes

Last updated on: 29 January 2026

Author:Editors SeeMe-nopause

Woman with short brown hair wearing a dark jacket, standing outdoors near fields and trees under an overcast sky

José (62) and her husband ran their own business in the agricultural sector. It was physically demanding and hard work, but it also meant she usually had the winter months off to look after her three children. A busy life, but with a balance that worked. The fact that she barely noticed menopause was, therefore, a relief.

When José stopped taking the pill at the age of 52 on her doctor’s advice, her periods didn’t return. “Apparently, I had already gone through that whole first phase, but I didn’t notice a thing.”

I did discover a lump in my breast once. It turned out to be restless cells.

A smooth transition

She had reluctantly taken the pill for a long time. When she turned 50, she discussed with her doctor whether she could stop taking it because of menopause. “He advised me to keep taking it for a little while longer. So I sometimes wondered if I was going through menopause because I didn’t notice anything. Was the pill suppressing it? When I stopped at 52 on my doctor’s advice, my periods didn’t return. Apparently, I was already through it.”

Did she really not experience any symptoms? “I occasionally had a hot flush. And of course, I sometimes had a bad mood, but I thought: sometimes you just feel down. That’s not necessarily menopause.”

People around her experienced more symptoms, she says. “I had a few friends who had things like restless legs, for example, but I never had that either.”

A healthy lifestyle

It’s not that José consciously changed her lifestyle as she got older, but she has always valued her health. “I always made sure to eat enough fruit and vegetables. I thought: if I do that, I’m already doing pretty well. And I tried not to eat too much chocolate, but I never really succeeded at that,” she says, laughing.

Did she take supplements to support her health? “No, but when I turned 50, I did start taking vitamin D. And now I also take glucosamine chondroitin because my knee hurts a lot due to early-stage wear and tear. Well, that’s to be expected when you’re 62 and have spent your whole life standing a lot for work.”

Her advice for other women?

“I find it hard to say because I didn’t have to do anything differently myself. But what I’ve always found important, and still do, is eating fresh and healthy food, spending time outdoors, and staying active. I do everything by bike and walk a lot. For me, that’s essential for a healthy and enjoyable life.”

Maybe you recognise some of the symptoms mentioned in this story. Are you wondering if you might be going through menopause? The menopause test can provide you with some initial answers.