I DESERVE THE BEST

four gynaes with the last one saying, “HRT or go home and do it by yourself.”

Not having a full medical aid I lost all my savings during this period.

I had all the symptoms: hot flushes, blurred vision, cold cranium, sugar levels up and down daily, digestive problems including oral thrush, and brain fog.

Why couldn’t my body function without hormones when so many women just breeze through? I now know three women nearing their seventies who are struggling to come off their patches.

It’s all been trial and error, one-sizefits-all HRT, and complete lack of empathy from the medical professionals I saw. SUFFERING, EMAIL To Moipone who wrote in about not wanting to be in a relationship (YOU, 3 January), I feel you. You forgot to mention the physical abuse, and the way your lover can break your confidence and destroy your self-esteem.

They turn things on you, accusing you of having affairs when all you do is live and breathe for them.

In 2015 I chose the same path as you – to be alone. It’s lonely at times but at least you’re still sane. If someone won’t treat you the way you treat them, they don’t deserve you. I always say this to myself: I’m too good to be half-loved. MICHELLE, EAST RAND To Thin and Healthy (YOU Say, 27 December): well said. I have the same problem as you, with people commenting on my “thinness”. It’s even got to the stage where when I’m eating out I’m told to have seconds as I need “fattening up”.

To all the tubbies out there, I find your comments downright rude. And yes, I’d rather be thin than fat. THIN & PROUD, EMAIL To the lovely lady who wrote in about accepting herself, flaws and all (YOU Say, 27 December): I’ve just turned 62 and feel as if I’ve aged overnight, but after reading your letter I feel ever so bright! Thank you. LINDE, LIMPOPO