At 30 years of age and after having her second child, Mel noticed a combination of symptoms that were attributed to her difficult birth, personal and family history, and an ADHD diagnosis.
“It started off as a cognitive thing. So, a lot of brain fog and forgetfulness – forgetting important things and dates – and impulsiveness and emotional dysregulation,” she says.
Over time, Mel also started experiencing hot flushes, muscle cramps and pain, anger and extreme emotions.
As the symptoms became more frequent and unmanageable, and after trying some other solutions in consultation with her GP such as removal of a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD), Mel started having recurring symptoms, thought to be thrush, and developed blisters on her tongue.
Mel did further research into perimenopause, documented her ongoing symptoms and again consulted her GP who referred her to a menopause specialist. The specialist requested more specific tests, resulting in a diagnosis of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) or early menopause. He confirmed that Mel’s thrush symptoms were actually vaginal atrophy, which along with her tongue blisters, were symptoms of low oestrogen.
It took Mel a few years to get information and support that helped her – a time she describes as incredibly difficult.
“In all honesty, I really, really struggled. And it was hard to explain to my husband and everyone else why I was feeling that way,” Mel says. “It highlighted to me how much people don't talk about it and how there is stigma attached to it.”
Mel’s specialist worked closely with her to find a combination of Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) that was best for her. She also has a physiotherapist to help manage her muscle pain and other health professionals who are supporting her with a holistic regime that factors in her other conditions and medication.
