Thyrza (50) is the headteacher of a primary school and lives with her partner, two dogs, and two cats. Her work fills her with pride and gives her energy, but at the same time, the heavy responsibility weighs on her shoulders—especially since entering menopause. Unlike her sister and mother, this new phase of life brought significant changes for her.
“I suddenly gained a lot of weight, experienced hot flushes and mood swings, and felt utterly exhausted. I went through the whole range of menopause symptoms. Ultimately, I learned that many of them were linked to my sleep quality—a valuable lesson,” she shares.
Looking back, it was naïve of me to think that menopause would affect me the same way it did my mother and sister.
For a long time, Thyrza believed that menopause would pass quickly and without much notice, as her mother and sister had barely experienced any symptoms. But when she turned 50, she realised that the apple sometimes does fall far from the tree. “When I celebrated my birthday, I suddenly noticed that I couldn’t enjoy it. I felt insecure. That was the first time I realised: something is changing here.”
Thyrza’s experience highlights how much your lifestyle can influence menopause and how individual this phase is. “Unlike my mother and sister, I lead a fairly stressful life,” she explains. “As a primary school headteacher, I constantly feel a certain pressure on my shoulders. After all these years in the profession, I’m used to the hustle and bustle—it’s just part of who I am.”
When Thyrza entered menopause a few years after her sister, everything changed, and she felt overwhelmed by her busy daily routine. She openly shares: “Hot flushes, mood swings, sleepless nights, low energy—I experienced it all. I would wake up at night for no reason and stare at the ceiling for hours. I also gained quite a bit of weight, which really bothered me. I never had to worry about my weight before! I wanted to do something about it, but I had no idea where to start.”
She scoured the internet for reliable advice and read on SeeMe-nopause about how the vicious cycle of poor sleep can trigger and worsen many menopause symptoms. “Through extensive research, I discovered the exact impact of sleep patterns. I immediately started implementing some of the advice, including taking certain supplements,” the headteacher explains.
“I also had to learn how to relax, but for someone who’s always busy, that’s easier said than done,” Thyrza says with a laugh. “Gradually, I started taking more time to rest, and I discovered yoga. I always thought it wasn’t for me, that I was too busy, but now I really enjoy having that moment for myself.”
The result? “I started sleeping better, felt much more energetic, and overall felt so much better. And I only experienced hot flushes once or twice a day. It made a world of difference!”
These days, I fall asleep quickly again and wake up at most once a night if I need to use the bathroom.
Although she felt better emotionally, Thyrza also wanted to feel comfortable in her own body again. “I wanted to work on my diet to lose the extra weight. I started eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, but I didn’t notice much of a difference.”
She went back to researching and discovered that her blood sugar levels might be the issue. “To keep my blood sugar stable, I’ve stopped snacking and replaced many carbohydrates with proteins and fats, like avocado, nuts, or cheese.”
Exercise has also become a regular part of her routine. “What really helps is the 7-minute workout in the morning before breakfast. It stimulates fat burning. It took some getting used to exercising on an empty stomach, but now it’s such a great way to start the day.”
Her advice to others? “You can’t know everything. Seek advice from experts or look for reliable sources yourself. It took some time and effort, but I’m so glad I learned that you have so much control over your symptoms. Your body has an amazing ability to reduce your complaints, as long as you take good care of yourself.”
Perhaps you recognise some of the symptoms in this story. Are you wondering if you might be going through menopause? The menopause test can provide you with some initial answers.
