This Menopause Awareness Month we sat down with 5 unique and empowered women on their menopausal journey, asking them to share their insights, advice and real menopause stories.  

From changes in skin and hair, to shifts in mood, energy levels and hormones, menopause manifests in a multitude of ways. What greater way to celebrate menopause awareness month, than by sharing authentic voices with real stories. 50% of the population will go through menopause...so let's talk about it.

Sue: An Unexpected Menopause Discovery 

Unlike many, Sue went through menopause without even knowing it. At the age of 51, she discovered she'd already been through menopause after stopping the pill. The most prominent symptom she now notices is hair loss which she manages with a tailored hair care routine - using targeted products that are formulated to help counteract menopausal hair loss. Even though the changes to her hair remain the most demoralising part of her menopause story, Sue is always searching for products that make a difference. 

" I didn't know I entered menopause“ 

What do you wish you knew before you entered menopause?  

"I didn't know I entered menopause. I was 51/52 when I found out. I'd been on the pill and they asked (because of my age and because I wasn’t in a relationship) - did I need to be on it? And I thought, well, no, not really. So, I came off it and that's when I found out.” 

“You have to have a blood test, then three months later you have another blood test. When I got the results, they told me I'd already gone through menopause. I’d done it and gone through it didn't even know I had it.” 

What advice would you give women entering menopause?  

“That is obviously difficult for me because I was not aware that I had entered menopause. I didn’t consider things I noticed as ‘symptoms’ because I didn’t know. That’s probably why I got it checked as well.”  

“The main symptom I noticed is my hair. Every single day I find hair falling out and it's not one or two, three strands. It could be 7,8, 10 strands.” 

“Now I get sweats at night as well. Some people say they wake up completely wet, I’m not soaking but I feel clammy, especially in summer. It’s not nice but I just have to have my feet out of the duvet to keep cool. Even in the winter, I always have to keep my window open.” 

“I'm aware now that if I continued taking the pill, I still probably wouldn't have known I had menopause. With the changes in my hair I would have thought - ‘what's going on?’. But I probably would have brushed it off as old age.” 

What have you found most liberating about your experience?  

“Again, totally opposite for me. It wasn’t liberating because I didn't know I was going through it. I didn’t go through the trials and tribulations and all the emotions and feelings. But now I'm experienced my hair falling out and the night sweats.”

What has helped you address your symptoms? 

“I generally don't take regular medication or supplements, so I haven't really tried much for my symptoms in that space. With me it's been vanity and the hair loss side of things that’s affected me the most. I've been trying all these new shampoos, and I have loved some of them. Seeing hair fall out more every single day makes washing your hair demoralising, so I like finding shampoo’s that help with that.”

This Menopause Awareness Month, let’s continue the conversation. Its important to celebrate the changes, and embrace the wisdom that comes with this transformative life stage. Whether you’re just beginning your menopause or looking for solutions to specific menopause symptoms, know that you are not alone—and there are plenty of resources and communities to help you thrive! 

Share your real menopause experience with us @thesolutionuk