Carina (age 53): “Slowly but surely, I regained balance and stability in my life”

Carina is an entrepreneur, mother of two, partner and, above all, a woman. She has a busy life, juggling responsibilities as a self-employed professional with caring for a family with two teenagers. As menopause approached, she noticed more and more subtle changes, both physically and mentally. “This was difficult to handle alongside my busy job and private life.”

“Menopause crept in so slowly at first that I didn't notice until it had taken control of my life. I was grappling with a whirlwind of emotions that no one had prepared me for.” 

“I thought I would be able to handle it”

When her menstrual cycle changed at the age of 48 and her energy level started to fluctuate, she noticed that her body was entering a new phase.  

“It was a turning point in my life. My friends and my sister had already gone through menopause and their stories resonated with me. I couldn’t believe my symptoms would get so bad. I was in denial.” 

In the beginning, it was like I became this different person. I had to get to know myself again. In a way, this was beautiful too.

Rediscovering yourself during menopause

For Carina, navigating menopause was a roller coaster ride with highs and lows. “On the one hand, I felt freer. I became more aware of my own needs and boundaries, and I noticed that I no longer cared so much about other people's expectations or some of my own responsibilities. This was quite a relief. I find it easier now to relax and enjoy quiet moments, which has definitely made a positive difference to my life.”  

How did the people around you react? “It was a big adjustment for my family,” Carina continues. “It was like I was a different person. This wasn’t the mother or wife they knew. I used to take care of everybody, whereas now I was putting myself first. I was always the first to jump up and help everyone. Now it's like: You want your keys? Go find them yourself!” 

Hot flashes, mood swings and low energy

On the other hand, the menopausal transition came with physical and emotional challenges. “It affected me in my daily life," Carina says. “I suffered from hot flashes and mood swings, which made it difficult to focus on my work.” 

Her energy levels suffered, too. “The fatigue was overwhelming. I wasn't nearly as productive and creative as I know that I could have or should have been. This was something I really had to learn to deal with.” 

What helped? “Being self-employed allowed me the freedom to listen to my body and adjust my work schedule appropriately. This meant rearranging my workload or schedule sometimes, or pushing back deadlines and taking rest during busy periods.” 

“Hormone therapy gave me my life back”

Carina started doing some reading up on hormone replacement therapy (HRT). After consulting her GP, she decided to try HRT to see if it helped. “My GP gave me some useful advice. I’m very lucky in this respect. He has been a great help and seems to understand how hard things can be. Not everyone has that.”

The decision for HRT has changed my life. It has given me back my energy and my ability to focus. I'm able to get things done again.

“Thanks to HRT, my life has become more balanced and stable. I feel like my old self again. HRT curbed my hot flashes, took the edge off my mood swings and brought back my energy.” 

What advice would I give other women with menopausal symptoms? “Find out what your options are and get advice from an expert. You don't have to live with your symptoms forever, there are things you can do to alleviate them. I felt like I was stuck in a hole, but now my energy is flowing.” 

Can HRT help?

For many women, hormone replacement therapy is a godsend. You don't have to put your life on hold. HRT can alleviate or even eliminate your symptoms.

How does HRT work?

Personal experiences