So I was actually, in a way I was dreading the menopause and in another way I was thinking, Well, get it all over with. Start and get rid of all that So I’m quite ambivalent about it. Well, I suppose I can be ambivalent about it because it’s not bothering me at the minute.

And I think part of my reason maybe for volunteering as well was because it is affecting me so little that I think if you want the spectrum I think, maybe I’m completely wrong, you can tell me, but people volunteer for something like this because they’ve had such a bad time. Now, I don’t know, maybe that’s not right but that was part of my thinking, Well, I’m coming from the side where I haven’t had any great problems

And I think when you’re going through it, it’s not the end of the world, no, it’s not always very pleasant and people going through the hot flushes, yes you can flush up, but I think as well let your people let your peers know, or let your supervisors know at work as well, if you’re going through it as well because you may need to take regular breaks, lots of drinking water. You may be in a position where you do have to wear a uniform and this is something that the police are looking at with females at the moment because they have to wear their stab vests, they’ve got their utility belts, which are very uncomfortable and it may be that you need to speak to somebody because in a uniform that can be very uncomfortable and can something be done to help. But I think not to be afraid to go and talk about it, get as much information as you can. Think about your diet when you’re eating, are there trigger points that set that hot flush off. Let your partner know when you’re going through it, don’t be afraid to talk about it. I know some people can get quite a bit moody, there are mood swings to consider.

I think the message to people is Do your research, have a look on the internet, find out everything you can and don’t be afraid to experiment and find what suits you.

don’t do what I did which in retrospect was just walk, I read some women’s magazines, saw what they were recommending, went and bought things without looking into the impact that they might have on my body. If you’re going to take natural supplements read up more if you can and I’m sure now with the internet being so much more widely available, there’s a lot more information out there. If you’re going to take something, read up on the pros and the cons. Understand the implications that it might have for you and the same with HRT, if you’re going to go onto a prescription, find out as much as you can about the implications it will have for you as an individual.

And if you can’t get enough information from your GP go on the internet and try and do some more research yourself because I didn’t and the problem is when you are feeling unwell and you’re having headaches and you’re feeling low you just want to go to somebody that’s going to give you all the answers. So my advice is even before you get to the menopause and you start to feel like that, start doing your research earlier. When you are feeling fit and well and when you’re in the right frame of mind to make some informed decisions. Because by the time you hit the menopause it may be too late. You may already be going through depression and the headaches and the feelings of anger, you may not be in the right state of mind to make those informed decisions. You may like me expect to go to a GP and be given all the answers and be put right. And that’s not necessarily going to happen. So do your research, do it early, before you go through the menopause. Write it all down, keep it somewhere safe so that you’ve got it to go back to at the relevant time.

I would ask, well, I think to get to go and see a proper specialist who specialises in early menopause, not just a GP and not just a gynaecologist, someone who really knows what they’re talking about. And there’s I don’t know where else they are in England, I mean there is the one at the [hospital]. I don’t know what other ones they have and how many there are but I think it’s really important to really get the right advice. And make sure you’re on the right treatment because I think I was on the pill for a long time, which was probably okay for a bit but it certainly wasn’t the last couple of years, it wasn’t doing the right job. And to maybe get the relevant blood tests to make sure that your levels are right for what you’ve got and to go for the odd bone scan just to make sure that your bones are strong.

Now I don’t know whos going to be listening to this, who will take any notice of this, but I’ve got friends who have been very scared by the stories in the press about HRT and actually suffering pretty horribly. And of course everybody needs to make up their own minds what they want to do and what risks they want to take, but do look carefully at the data. Not just what the press headlines say. Just look carefully at actually what the risks are and the increased risks and remember that as we age, we’re going to be more at risk to these sorts of cancers and conditions anyway. And life is about deciding what sort of risks you want to take but life is for living. Life is all about quality of life. it’s about enjoying life. it’s about living life to the full. I don’t know how long I’m going to live, hopefully I’m going to live a nice long life but I don’t know how long I’m going to live. But it’s about making sure that your quality of life is great.

We’re all in there together. You’re not alone. My advice would be to read up, get your facts known, decide whether you want to go on to HRT or not, quite clearly, quite early on, because if you’re going to go on then you need to be clear and you need to talk to your GP and you need to be clear that’s what you want to do and the only way you can be clear about that is by getting the facts and figures. Go and look up the studies. Make your own mind up. If you’re not going to go on HRT then you need all sorts of strategies to deal with it. So you need to get as much information again as you possibly can and talk to people.

Absolutely exercise and walk, talk and listen. So then, go walking, talk to people and listen to people who want to support you. Yeah, and the diet and all the rest. I don’t know. Enjoy because it’s such a painful kind of time in some ways it’s important to enjoy and treat yourself as well. If you want to enjoy food, enjoy food. But, like me I enjoyed it a lot. I ate too much. And if it’s screenings, avail [yourself] of your screenings, your mammographies, your cervical screening, any screening, absolutely attend all your screening sessions because it is a time when other things are going to go to the wall. Go and get cholesterol tested, blood sugar tested all of that sort of thing. Be absolutely vigilant about screening. And just accept each phase of it.

Well, to make sure you have lots going on in your life so it doesn’t become the central focus of your life. And, to take up challenges really and keep busy.

Well, I think one should always sort of emphasise the positive that it actually I mean I know this is not the case for every person but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to ruin your life or you’re going to have a terrible time. I think if you set out thinking it’s not actually going to have such an impact as people say then that can only be a good thing. I think maybe to look at it positively is very important. And not to think of it as growing old or being less attractive. I know some women think that it changes them. I mean it’s just part of life and you just accept it. Embrace it.