I was saddened to hear about the lady from Leeds who took her own life due to severe anxiety caused by the menopause. She had been with her dear husband for 41 years and had started to experience extreme anxiety in middle age. She was also overwhelmed by anxiety about covid and this drove her to commit suicide.

We already know that suicide is the biggest cause of death for young men between the ages of 18 and 30. What we may not be aware of is the high number of suicides for women between the ages of 45 and 55. Whilst there may be plenty of other factors at play here such as caring for elderly parents, worry about children, relationship issues, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that this is the age when a lot of women are going through the peri menopause or the menopause itself.

Years ago this stage of a woman’s life was not widely talked about, discreetly referred to as ‘the change’, something to be pushed under the carpet or at best laughed about. The hot flushes coming out of nowhere! Yeah, they’re so funny, aren’t they?

As a woman of a certain age I am really thankful that the menopause is something we are now able to talk out, thanks in part to celebrities such as Davina McCall and Mariela Frostrup. A recent campaign has also led to a change in the law which means there is now a one off prescription charge for one year’s worth of HRT. This is excellent news.

We now know too that – due to faulty research from decades ago – that the risk of breast cancer from taking HRT is minimal. Also the new forms of body identical HRT are much safer and better for women. There is even the argument that it is risky NOT to take HRT as oestrogen supplementation prevents osteoporosis, heart disease and many age related illnesses.

If you are suffering with menopausal or peri menopausal symptoms, it is important to see your GP and consider taking HRT. Some doctors are still not clued up about the new data, so be persistent and even consider getting a second opinion.

Hypnotherapy can also help a great deal in dealing with the anxiety symptoms of the menopause. It has been my pleasure and privilege to have helped a number of women experiencing mood swings and extreme anxiety at this time in their lives. Together we can help to install feelings of calm and wellbeing, so that this can be a new, healthy and exciting chapter for them.

Best wishes to you all,

Wendy x