The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
HRT access: Local women join debate
Menopause is a very individual journey – while many struggle, others feel supported with their diagnosis and treatment options.
Davina McCall’s Channel 4 documentary Sex, Mind And The Menopause has raised questions about differing access to HRT treatments across Scotland and the UK.
Claire Nicholson 44, started noticing symptoms including changes to her moods, her periods stopping and brain fog.
But the Dunfermline mum-of-two, who owns Happy Earth Place, says her experience has been helped by a supportive GP surgery and nurse.
“Last October I felt things had gotten pretty out of control,” said Ms Nicholson. “It was horrible.
“I was very up and down which is really unlike me.
“I phoned my GP practice and said I’m really struggling. The practice nurse spoke to me really quickly and said she wanted to take bloods.
“She gave me information about the risks and benefits of HRT and said she would start me on it right away based on what I’d said.
“I’m on my third different type now, I wasn’t on the right thing for me to start.
“But I’m happy to say the surgery have done wonders for me. I feel listened to, supported and part of my own health care.
“Since I started the HRT the symptoms have got a lot better.
“It can be really quite an isolating thing, my pals the same age as me aren’t going through it at the moment.
“But we need to normalise talking about it.”
Tricia Fox, 45, from Perth had a completely different experience.
She said it became clear she was peri-menopausal for up to six years before being diagnosed.
“I had a litany of symptoms and went repeatedly to the doctor over the years,” she said. “But not one of them made the connection or suggested a simple blood test.”
Ms Fox added: “I’m very cross with the medical profession.
“For such a long time I’d gone to them repeatedly and said I’m just not right. They always thought it was something else.
“I’ve had my thyroid tested, I had tiredness, really heavy periods, day and night sweats.
“There were investigations which found nothing. My weight, lifestyle, stress were blamed but I don’t seem to have any of it now I’ve taken HRT.
“I’ve been on it now for nine months and it’s a life-changer.”
Rachel Weiss from Perth is founder of the Menopause Cafe and upcoming #FlushFest, the world’s only menopause festival.
She ran a poll among Menopause Cafe Facebook members who take HRT, asking whether they are affected by recent shortages of HRT.
“About 40% have been affected, but only 3% have been left without HRT,” Ms Weiss said.