Breaking down the menopause
“Everyone has a different journey. Some women don’t have any symptoms, which is amazing.
“Before I went through it I assumed that the main menopause symptoms were hot flushes and headaches because that’s what everybody talks about.
“But mine included insomnia. Before the menopause I would just get up and go to the gym but I can’t get out of bed because I can’t sleep and I feel really irritated and sad about it all.
“Then there’s the rage, getting to the point where I’m screaming or crying for absolutely no reason.”
Michelle took the brave step to have surgery to THE menopause is when a woman stops having periods and can no longer get pregnant naturally.
It usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, as oestrogen levels drop. One in 100 women experience it before 40, but there is often no clear cause for this.
You go through it straight after having both ovaries removed
She said: “A lot of couples split during this time. Partners are often not told enough about menopause. Hugh copes enormously well. He’s very calm and he’s good at recognising a shift in me.”
But things are improving. She is taking food supplement Femarelle, working out and eating healthily.
“I definitely feel better than I did a year or two ago. It’s not easy but the best part of my life is I’ve got a great husband and great kids.
“I don’t think it truly gets better until your body naturally ends menopause. Everyone’s got a very different journey and time frame.
“I hope I’ll get back to a regular sleeping pattern and have more energy. But most of all I hope when Faith is 18 and has the genetic test she doesn’t have to go through this.”
Michelle also revealed she is having therapy to “try to get my head around my emotions and why I feel so angry”. She added: “It’s a fine line between the way I feel sometimes and depression.
Michelle has teamed up with Femarelle, the only food supplement that has DT56A, an ingredient developed using soy derivatives. Visit www. femarelle.co.uk. following a radical hysterectomy. Common symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and low moods.
Some women opt for hormone replacement therapy – HRT – or cognitive behavioural therapy – CBT– for their moods and anxiety.
If you need help with menopausal symptoms, contact your GP.