Menopause update

Women’s health issues have been in the hands of the patriarchy since we became civilized. Genuine medical symptoms have historically been written off as hysteria, or generalised under broad unhelpful terms or dismissed altogether. The purse strings for scientific research funding have been held tightly by predominantly male decision makers and committee boards. Much of women’s knowledge and experience of their own bodies and minds have been recorded merely as anecdotal rather than funnelled into serious research.
The tide is changing albeit slowly as each successive generation of women inch their way into a man’s world. But women must talk about these things, making them relevant and interesting. And not just to each other, for our emancipation benefits men too. If we are able to talk freely and without embarrassment about the challenges and experiences of menopause, maybe men could feel safe enough to open up too, so improving outcomes of silent killers like bowel and prostate cancers.
This is why I will sing heartily to you about my recent purchase of a wool duvet. You may remember that I tamed my hot flushes and brain fog with magnesium and B vitamins, and joint pain with turmeric capsules but I still tossed and turned my way through the night throwing the duvet on and off as I alternated between overheating and chills. One day I read an article by a woman about the temperature regulating benefits of wool fillings over duck down and synthetics. The first night under my “luxury” purchase of a wool filled duvet I slept all night and virtually every night since. I am now in the process of buying essential purchases of pillow and mattress topper. A good night’s sleep is no small deal and an absolute necessity to function well, to cope well. I know my menopause symptoms are a walk in the park compared to some but I will happily share the details and encourage others to do so too. Any good tips and advice shared is a positive move. We should joke less about our discomforts, distress, pain and unhappiness. We don’t want it to be brushed aside. All the better to assert our rights to proper information on choices of care. The quality of medical advice for women needs to improve in some areas but in the meantime ladies, please please talk more! Share your stories, your struggles, your successes. Support each other. Pave the way for the women that follow. And if you need medical care seek it, insist on it and don’t stop until you get it.