2023: Seeking Help and Understanding
After years of feeling lost, I finally decided to consult a private menopause specialist. By this point, I was 48, well into perimenopause, and emotionally drained. My confidence was at an all-time low, and I felt like I had lost the person I used to be. I booked an online consultation with a doctor who was based in Kent. Whilst she was lovely and helpful, you cannot beat an in person consultation, although she did start me on my journey with using HRT. She prescribed me 25mcg estrogen patches along with cyclical progesterone. I started using them and began to feel better almost immediately, however this only lasted for a few months before I started feeling off again. Life was a hormonal rollercoaster. I felt so low, worthless, unattractive with no purpose in life. It was a really dark time. My very supportive husband suggested I needed more help and found a specialist GP close by.
The new specialist explained that the hormone therapy I was on wasn’t strong enough to stabilise my levels now that I’d reached 49. She prescribed a higher dose of estrogen (75mcg), carried on with the cyclical progesterone, and added in a transdermal testosterone gel—something I hadn’t realised women needed but now see as a game-changer. Testosterone has been pivotal for improving my confidence, mental clarity, and overall vitality and it helps women with bone density and muscle mass, so pretty fundamental.
It was a relief to learn that I wasn’t alone. Losing professional confidence is a common issue for women at this stage of life. Hearing that even airline pilots and barristers experience this was validating. I wasn’t broken; I just needed the right support.
Rebuilding Myself, One Day at a Time
I was lucky enough to be in a position to pause my career and focus on healing. I started cycling more, lifting weights, and prioritising my mental health. My husband introduced me to creatine, which has helped boost my energy and mood. Slowly, I tapered off my antidepressants, regaining my ability to feel emotions fully. It was like coming back to life.
Now, I’m focusing on patience. I’ve learned that healing isn’t instant—confidence takes time to rebuild. But cycling remains my sanctuary. Every ride reminds me that I’m stronger than I think, capable of pushing through hills both literal and metaphorical.
I share my story not for sympathy but to show that help is out there. If my journey resonates with just one person and inspires them to seek support, then sharing this has been worth it. Menopause is tough, but with the right tools and support, we can navigate it and emerge stronger. I have added some resource links to my blog so if you need to check them out please do and please don’t feel alone, you aren’t going through this on your own.
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