Sybille (47): “I Listen Closely to My Body and Noticed It Right Away”

Sybille is 47 years old and works as an all-round employee at a dry cleaner’s. She lives with her partner and is the mother of a 26-year-old daughter who has moved out, as well as a 23-year-old son who officially still lives at home but often stays with his girlfriend. In her spare time, she enjoys exercising and spending quality time with her daughter, daughter-in-law, or friends. However, since her menstrual cycle began to change, she has had to adapt her lifestyle. “I always have to take precautions because I never know when my period will start,” she explains. “It even impacts the spontaneous outings and sports activities I enjoy so much.”

A year ago, she noticed her menstrual cycle becoming irregular. “I used to be able to set my clock by it, but suddenly it became unpredictable,” Sybille shares. “On top of that, I experienced sensitive breasts, and in recent months, I’ve had severe pain during the first two days of my period, along with heavy bleeding. It’s shorter than before but much more intense.”

Because Sybille listens closely to her body, she quickly recognised her symptoms. “I experienced severe pain, heavier bleeding, and sometimes felt like I was going to faint. I also suffered from headaches and sleepless nights,” she explains. “It affected my daily life, both at work and at home. I no longer had a regular menstrual cycle and always had to take precautions. I also often woke up at night or found myself wide awake far too early in the morning.”

The moment she realised she needed to take action was when she was sitting on the sofa and could no longer ignore the feeling of faintness. The persistent sleeplessness was another turning point for her.

Sybille began looking for more information. “I’ve read several books about perimenopause and menopause, such as Het verboden woord by Caroline Tensen. I also did a lot of research online and on social media,” she says. “I take a supplement with herbs, vitamins, and minerals, including zinc, vitamin D3, and sage, and I use paracetamol when I have headaches or abdominal pain.”

For Sybille, menopause doesn’t feel like a taboo. “I’m an open book myself and, as a result, I notice a lot of understanding from those around me, both privately and at work,” she says. Still, she knows this isn’t the case for every woman.

Sybille feels she’s only at the beginning of this phase and can’t reflect on menopause fully just yet. “I think I’m on the threshold of perimenopause,” she says. “Tips and tricks are always welcome, from books and podcasts to homeopathy or medication. I remain open to anything that might help!”

She’s still figuring out what works for her but already has a piece of advice for other women: “Listen to your body and be open about what you’re going through. It helps those around you understand your symptoms.”

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.