Menopause has completely turned my life upside down. It's affected my
mood, mental health, and overall sense of well-being. My routines have been
thrown off, and I find myself struggling to cope with certain seasons,
preferring the darkness and coolness of winter and autumn. I worry about
snapping at people and feel anxious about going to places that might not
have air conditioning. The hot flushes are unbearable at times, making me
feel like I have a fever and reducing my appetite. On top of that, I'm juggling
caring for my adult son with special needs and my daughter with mental
health issues, which has become even more challenging.

Before attending the workshop, I sought medical help and was put on HRT
patches, but they haven't been very effective, especially in warm weather.
I've struggled with mood swings, forgetfulness, and a decline in my IT skills,
which has made work difficult. Thankfully, my workplace has been supportive
and even encouraged me to attend this menopause workshop.

I attended the workshop hoping to learn how to manage my symptoms
better and explore natural remedies. The biggest takeaway was realising I
wasn't alone in my struggles. Hearing others share similar experiences was
incredibly reassuring, especially since I had never been to anything like it
before.

Since then, I've shared what I learned with colleagues, my sister, and a friend.
I often refer back to the booklet provided during the workshop to refresh my
memory and use the food diary to improve my diet when I get time. I am quite
good with my diet, but the booklet has encouraged me to include more
colours on the tracking page.

I believe workshops like this are essential and should be available
everywhere, especially in workplaces. Medical professionals could also learn a
lot from organisations like Salus, as they often downplay menopause
symptoms with a 'just get on with it' attitude. I would love to attend more
workshops, especially having another space to share and meet like-minded
people.

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