Sabine (62): "After all those years of PMS symptoms, I was suddenly pain-free"

Reading time: approx. 4 minutes

Last updated on: 30 January 2026

Author:Editors SeeMe-nopause

Woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a beige sweater, standing indoors in a modern living room with sofa and artwork in soft daylight

Sabine (62) works as a mobile support worker for people with intellectual disabilities, which keeps her active throughout the day. "My clients depend on me, so 'being ill' was never an option for me—even when I was struggling with severe menstrual pain yet again." PMS had been a constant companion throughout Sabine’s adult life. When she entered menopause, the menstrual pain, cramps, and mood swings initially became even worse.

Her final period brought unexpected relief. "After my last period, it felt as though a switch had been flipped: suddenly, all the symptoms I had endured every month for years were completely gone."

I could literally feel my mood darken throughout my cycle until my period finally arrived.

"In my early 40s, menopause wasn’t even on my radar"

Sabine had her last period at the age of 46. When her PMS symptoms worsened at the age of 40, menopause wasn’t something she had even considered. "I had always suffered from severe menstrual pain, cramps, tender breasts, and mood swings right before my period. But in my early 40s, the symptoms gradually became worse."

The symptoms she had grown accustomed to—and had learned to manage as best as she could—intensified over the following years. "Even though I was aware of the cause of my mood swings, they still managed to drag me down every time. It felt like a dark cloud was hanging over me. To cope with the menstrual pain and cramps, I sometimes had to take as many as three painkillers at once. And because of my tender breasts, sleeping on my stomach was out of the question."

"Menopause is an individual experience"

The age at which women experience menopause varies greatly—some go through it earlier, while others experience it later. "When I told my gynaecologist about my worsening PMS symptoms, he suggested that it might be menopause."

Since Sabine was the first among her group of friends to go through menopause, she turned to her mother for advice. "My doctor recommended that I ask my mother about her experience with menopause to find out how old she was at the time and what symptoms she had. To my surprise, I discovered that my mother also had her last period relatively early and experienced similar symptoms. She, too, often felt down and gloomy during that time."

"A healthy lifestyle during menopause"

What helped? "For the symptoms, a hot water bottle and, when necessary, painkillers were the most effective. Additionally, I made sure to eat healthily, go for regular walks, and practise gymnastics."

My gynaecologist encouraged me to maintain my healthy habits—such as exercising and eating a varied and as fresh as possible diet—to help alleviate the symptoms. Exercising was particularly helpful in managing my mood swings.

"My last period was a relief"

At the age of 46, Sabine experienced her final period. "That was a real relief. After my last period, all the symptoms that had plagued me for so many years were suddenly gone."

It felt as though a switch had been flipped: my mood stabilised and became positive again, and the pain disappeared. The difference was remarkable.

Because Sabine had read extensively about menopause, she was prepared for the possibility of experiencing other symptoms, such as hot flushes or sleep disturbances. "But none of that happened. For me, it was a very pleasant surprise!"

"Talk to someone about this phase of life"

What advice would she give to other women going through menopause? "My advice to other women would be: Ask your mother how she experienced menopause. You might notice some similarities. What I’ve also learned is that menopause is a very individual experience."

So don’t automatically assume the worst! In the end, menopause brought many positive changes for me.