Michaela (58): On Hot Flushes, Emotions, and Finding Balance

“Looking back, it probably started when I was around 45,” Michaela shares. “But at the time, you don’t realise it. My periods were always irregular, so I didn’t notice it through that. When I suddenly started feeling warm at the strangest moments, sleeping poorly, and becoming increasingly emotional, it slowly began to dawn on me.”

At work, she noticed her body was changing. “During meetings, I’d be fanning myself with a piece of paper. And as soon as I got home, I’d start peeling off layers of clothing to cool down. I felt more easily irritated and experienced mood swings. Sometimes, my enthusiasm just wasn’t there.”

About a year ago, Michaela noticed her concentration was slipping. “I couldn’t keep my thoughts together. And at home, I was often short-tempered with my partner, even though I didn’t want to be. That was the moment I thought: this has to change.”

She sought help from her GP and started hormone therapy: a combination of patches and tablets. “The hot flushes disappeared, and I slept better. But other symptoms emerged: tender breasts, headaches, nausea. I didn’t feel good. After a few weeks, I decided, together with my doctor, to stop because the side effects were too much for me.”

Michaela wants to show that talking about menopause is important. “If I have a hot flush during a meeting, I just grab a piece of paper and fan myself. Why should we make a big deal out of it? It’s normal.”

Although hormone therapy wasn’t right for her, she believes it’s important for women to know they have options. “What didn’t work for me might be the perfect solution for someone else. Get informed and give yourself time to figure out what suits you.”

After stopping HRT, her symptoms didn’t completely disappear. “The hot flushes have come back a bit, but they’re less intense than before. Plus, I can handle them better now, for example, by wearing layers and taking breaks when needed. I try to be kind to myself. If I’m not at my best, I remind myself to take it easy—without judgement.”

Michaela advises other women to give HRT a try if they’re experiencing symptoms but also emphasises the importance of staying alert to potential side effects. Get proper advice from a specialist and always consult them if side effects persist or become bothersome, so you can work together to find what suits you best.

She highlights how crucial it is to be gentle with yourself; not everything needs to—or can—be solved. Sometimes, acknowledgement is enough. She also encourages talking about it: with your GP, your partner, or people around you. You don’t have to carry this burden alone. Finally, she advocates for curiosity, because what doesn’t work today might just work tomorrow.