Belinda (49): “It started very subtly and I didn’t even notice.”

Belinda (49) is marriedand has workedfor a government agency for 20 years. It is predominantly a male-dominated environment, andforthe first few years, she was one of the few women in her field. Hard work, keep yourhead down, and no complaints. Sheadaptedwithease. Untilshebegantoexperience her first symptoms. “Whatstartedwith restless nightsslowlyturnedintophysicalandmentalexhaustion.” But she was determinednotto show anyweaknessandkeptgoing.

Suddenly, I lost myself. I stood at the threshold of my workplace and suddenly felt: I can’t do this anymore.

Nightsweats, trouble concentrating, and irritability

For her, it all began very subtly. Since last year, she suddenly started sleeping badly. Night sweats, with a pounding heart, kept her awake. During the day, she became more irritable and felt numb. Still, she kept going. “Because how do you explain to your colleagues that you suddenly find yourself crying in the car for no apparent reason? Or that you’ve lost control over your own body?” Problems with concentration made it difficult for her to remember important information.

The beginning of her search

One day, she stood at the threshold of her workplace and couldn’t go in. She was shaking, unable to focus on anything, and her heart was pounding. She called in sick, went home, and tried to work out what was happening. At first, she thought it was burnout. Everything seemed to fit: exhaustion, emotional instability, no longer being able to function. But nothing seemed to help; rest, therapy, coaching. She didn’t know what was wrong. Until an acquaintance (a doctor) asked if she had ever considered menopause symptoms. Then it clicked. “I always thought hot flushes and no longer having periods were the signs of menopause.” What she didn’t realise: mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, and even burnout can be caused by menopause.

How she managed her symptoms

She knew she couldn’t carry on like this. So she went to her GP. Together, they looked at the options. Through nutrition and lifestyle, she gained more control over her life. She started walking, practised mindfulness exercises, and went into therapy. Hormone therapy brought relief from her symptoms. She got her life back and learned to know herself again.

I was allowed to feel that I was changing, both physically and mentally.

How is she now?

After two months of hormone therapy, there is cautious but noticeable improvement for Belinda. She is still on sick leave, but feels stronger. Not everything is as it once was, but that’s all right. There is more kindness. She takes things more slowly at work and has now found a better balance. She learned that it was all right to be tired. Confused. Sad. She was allowed to feel that she was changing, both physically and mentally.

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