Maureen (55): “I lost my patience, especially with my son”

Her eldest son, Jayden, who has ADHD, still lives at home. Normally, Maureen had plenty of patience for him, but during menopause, she found herself losing that patience more and more often. “The conversations we used to have turned into frustrations. I felt guilty because I knew it wasn’t his fault, but I just couldn’t stay calm. His unpredictability clashed enormously with my mood swings.”

Maureen also began to notice that she wasn’t performing as well at work. She was often distracted, and her mood became unpredictable. “My colleagues noticed the change in me too, and that made it even harder. Fortunately, some of them were in the same stage of life, so we could support each other. Still, I often felt like a stranger in my own body.”

One day, things came to a head during a team meeting. Maureen burst into tears after a minor comment from a colleague. “That was the moment I thought: this can’t go on. I need to seek help.” Her doctor suggested antidepressants, but after a few weeks, she felt even worse. “The side effects were awful. I was tired, couldn’t sleep properly, and gained weight quickly. It felt like I was stuck in a vicious cycle.”

Maureen decided to take matters into her own hands. She read stories from other women going through the same phase and discovered the potential benefits of hormone therapy. “Although I was sceptical about hormones, I felt like I had nothing to lose. I wanted to feel like myself again and regain control over my emotions.”

She decided to consult her doctor again and shared what she had learned. Her doctor was understanding and supportive. After discussing the risks and conducting a blood test, Maureen started hormone therapy. The first few weeks were nerve-wracking and filled with uncertainty. “I wondered if it would work, but I had no other choice. After a while, though, I noticed I was less irritable, my energy returned, and I felt sharp again.”

The change had a ripple effect on her daily life. “I had patience with Jayden again; we could talk normally without it ending in arguments. He noticed that his mum was laughing again. We even started laughing together about the little things.”

At work, Maureen also felt like the confident project manager she used to be. “My insecurity decreased, and I felt in control again. My colleagues noticed the change too and were happy for me. They gave me compliments, which boosted my confidence even more.”

Thanks to hormone therapy, Maureen regained the energy and motivation to take better care of herself in other areas as well. “I started doing yoga. Normally, I wouldn’t take the time for it, but I’ve noticed it makes me stronger and much calmer throughout the day. It gives me the peace I need more often now.”

At the same time, she noticed that her son was feeling better too. “We talk much more about his ADHD now, and I feel like I can give him the support he needs. Our bond has grown stronger because of it.”

What advice would Maureen give to other women? “Realise that menopause is a fact, but it doesn’t have to define your life.” She now looks to the future with a positive outlook. “There will undoubtedly be new challenges, but I now know how to handle them. Menopause is a part of my life, but it doesn’t define who I am.”