Angela’s experience of perimenopause was compounded by several other significant life events, including then end of her marriage and losing her parents.
She says these events initially masked the changes she started going through.
“I wasn't really focused on it, even though my body was changing, because there was so much other noise in my life. But when I look back, that was the time I really noticed it,” Angela says.
Angela’s physical symptoms ranged from frozen shoulder, hot flushes and night sweats to itchy skin and changes to the texture of her skin.
She has adjusted aspects of her life to manage her symptoms, such as going to bed earlier, getting up earlier to exercise with other women, going to the gym to maintain her functional fitness, meditating daily and managing stress with nutrition.
She says menopause has taught her to respect her body a lot more.
“Be curious about your body, really listen to it, and seek support – go to the GP or a Women’s Health Centre, do research, and share your experiences. The more we talk about it, the less scary we make it.”
