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

Belinda has spent years working in a male-dominated environment. In the early days, she was one of the few women in her field. Hard work, pushing through, and never complaining—that’s how those around her knew her.

For her, it all began very subtly. Since last year, she had suddenly started sleeping poorly. Night sweats, accompanied by a racing heart, kept her awake. During the day, she became more irritable and felt emotionally numb. Yet she kept going. “Because how do you explain to your colleagues that you’re suddenly sitting in your car crying for no apparent reason? Or that you’ve lost control over your own body?” Concentration problems made it increasingly difficult for her to retain important information.

One day, she stood at the threshold of her workplace and couldn’t bring herself to go in. She was trembling, unable to focus, and her heart was pounding. She called in sick, went home, and tried to figure out what was happening. At first, she thought it was burnout. Everything seemed to fit: exhaustion, emotional instability, inability to function. But nothing seemed to help. Rest didn’t help. Therapy didn’t help. Coaching didn’t help. She didn’t know what was wrong. Until an acquaintance, who happened to be a doctor, asked her if she had ever considered menopause symptoms. That’s when it clicked. “I always thought hot flushes and no longer having periods were the signs of menopause.” What she didn’t realise was that mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, and even burnout can also be caused by menopause.

She knew she couldn’t carry on like this. So, she went to her GP. Together, they explored her options. Through changes in diet and lifestyle, she regained more control over her life. She started walking, practised mindfulness exercises, and attended therapy. Hormone therapy provided relief from her symptoms. She got her life back and began to rediscover herself.

After two months of hormone therapy, there has been cautious but noticeable improvement for Belinda. She is still on medical leave but feels stronger. Not everything is the way it used to be, but that’s okay. There is more gentleness now. She takes things slower at work and has found a better balance. She has learned that it’s okay to feel tired. Confused. Sad. She allowed herself to accept that she was changing, both physically and mentally.

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.