Doret (54) on joint pain, mood swings, and the power of supplements

Reading time: approx. 4 minutes

Last updated on: 30 January 2026

Author:Editors SeeMe-nopause

Woman with wavy brown hair wearing a beige knit cardigan, standing by a window indoors in soft daylight with a blurred kitchen behind her.

Doret (54) from North Holland leads an active family life with her husband, four children, and two dogs. She enjoys cooking and spending time with her loved ones. When her body began to change, it took her some time to realise how much menopause was affecting her daily happiness. By sharing her story, she hopes to inspire other women to take charge of their own journey – even if they prefer to avoid using hormones.

I looked everything up online – from hot flushes to supplements. There’s so much information out there.

Hot flushes, mood swings, and joint pain: it all came at once

Doret experienced her first significant “menopause moment” at the age of 51. “It started with hot flushes and irregular periods. I thought: could this be it? Because, honestly, you don’t really know – it’s not like you get a notification.”

While the hot flushes were familiar and manageable for her, other symptoms hit her harder. “I started experiencing more and more joint pain. My hips, my wrists… everything seemed to stiffen up.”

At the same time, she noticed changes in her mood. “Looking back, I can see how much it affected things at home. I had more mood swings, a shorter temper, and didn’t always feel like myself. Sometimes I would withdraw or react differently than I wanted to – it felt like I was losing a part of myself.”

The joint pain bothers me the most. It really gets in the way – literally.

From symptoms to knowledge: a search from home

Doret decided not to wait passively. “I’m really like a home doctor – Google is my best friend,” she says with a laugh. “I immediately started searching for information. What happens to your body during menopause? And most importantly: what can you do about it yourself?”

She started broadly, gathering general knowledge about menopause. But soon, she began searching more specifically for symptoms, such as “joint pain menopause” or “natural remedies for mood swings.” Her preference was for supplements. “Hormones aren’t for me. I believe in the power of nature and nutrition.”

Based on what she read online, she decided to try supplements. Turmeric for inflammation, magnesium for muscles, ginger extract, vitamin C with rosehip, green-lipped mussel, boswellia, and red clover. “I use a variety of supplements, and I really feel better because of them. It’s my way of taking control.”

I figured it all out myself. There’s so much you can do – you just have to dare to look.

Living with change: cooking, reading, and small victories

For Doret, menopause doesn’t mean putting her life on hold. “I love cooking. It’s my way to relax. But when my hips act up or my energy runs out, I notice that I approach cooking differently. I’ll go for simpler dishes more quickly, even though I love cooking elaborate meals.”

Still, she tries to make room for the things that energise her. “I keep reading, learning, and adjusting my supplements. It gives me the feeling that I can do something. And I talk openly about it – with friends, with my husband. It helps not to bottle it up.”

You don’t have to just endure it.

Now 54, Doret’s periods have completely stopped, and although menopause isn’t over yet, she feels stronger in her choices. “I know now what works for me. It doesn’t completely eliminate my symptoms, but I notice significant relief. And that brings peace of mind.”

Her message to other women is clear: “Don’t wait until it becomes too much. Search, read, try things out. Listen to your body – it tells you more than you think.”

Maybe 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.