Looking back, it’s surreal to think about how much has shaped my journey to becoming a menopause wellness coach. Like so many women, I walked this path alone for far too long, my questions met with vague answers or simply left unanswered. At 24, when I was diagnosed with endometriosis, it was a very different world. There was no talk of endo, no social media awareness (in fact, no social media at all) and no comforting wave of shared experiences or support groups.
The medical community was only just learning about it, and hardly any doctors had even really heard of it. All I knew was pain, a chronic pain I had endured since I was 12 years old. When I finally reached out to a doctor, I was faced with terms I didn’t understand and options that seemed frightening: a hysterectomy or trying laser surgery with a course of GnRH hormone injections.
I remember my gynaecologist trying to explain endometriosis, describing it as cells growing outside the uterus. All I heard was “something wrong with my cells,” and it sent a chill through me. With no way to Google my way to an answer and no one to reassure me, I was left in the dark, afraid and confused about my future health. I agreed to the surgery, hopeful that the unbearable pain I had tolerated for years would finally be addressed.
When my gynaecologist mentioned the GnRH injections I would need post-surgery, she mentioned it might cause a “temporary menopause,” but it was part of my treatment plan. The idea of menopause at 24 felt like something that belonged to a much later stage of life. Other than her casual mention of hot flushes and night sweats, I had no idea what it really meant.
The six months after the surgery emotionally derailed me. No one had prepared me for the hormonal hurricane that followed the injections, and almost overnight, my body was plunged into menopause. Hot flashes, night sweats, unending anxiety, and sudden, overpowering anger filled my days and nights. My young, energetic body suddenly felt alien to me. It was like plunging into an emotional tidal wave without any understanding of what was happening or why.
I remember feeling so ashamed, so broken, wondering why I wasn’t handling this treatment better. Every emotion felt heightened, raw, and unstoppable. But there was no one to offer any validation, no guidance, and no mention of hormone replacement therapy to soften the blow. HRT was never discussed, let alone offered. I was literally thrown into the menopause deep end and expected to just ride it out.
Now, with an understanding of what was going on in the world of HRT at the time, the context of the infamous WHI study and the media frenzy, it’s clear why my gynaecologist never thought to support me with HRT. She was reading the same misleading sensational headlines as everyone else, and probably, with the best intentions, thought the last thing she wanted was for her 24-year-old patient with debilitating pain to end up with breast cancer.
Years passed, and while my endometriosis pain eased, the emotional scars of that experience lingered. I moved forward, but the shame and confusion of that time remained in the shadows. Then, at 45, the rollercoaster started again. This time, the symptoms were equally confusing and disorienting, but the stakes felt even higher.
Now, I was dealing with debilitating migraines that stole my vision, anxiety attacks that left me gasping, and a cascade of physical and mental changes I couldn’t explain. I was convinced I was seriously ill, after all, how could this be normal? Doctors I saw started talking about terrifying diagnoses: heart issues, neurological disorders, strokes. Endless visits, tests, and referrals filled our weeks, and months later, I was on the verge of losing hope.
It wasn’t until I took matters into my own hands, scouring medical journals and reputable health sites, that I stumbled upon the possibility of perimenopause. I took self-assessments, tracked my symptoms, and finally saw the pattern emerge. Here it was, the answer I’d been searching for: perimenopause. I had all the textbook symptoms, yet not one doctor had suggested it. The realisation was both a relief and a revelation. I was shocked and frustrated that something so common could be so misunderstood by professionals (both male and female) whom I had trusted with my health.
That moment changed everything for me. I knew I needed to educate myself, to understand what was happening within my own body, and more than that, I knew I didn’t want other women to suffer the way I had. My passion for learning about menopause, perimenopause and the impact of hormones on women’s health became unstoppable. I threw myself into studying, completing diplomas and certifications, immersing myself in the science and art of menopause wellness coaching. Each course, each book, and each expert I encountered only deepened my resolve to help other women feel seen, heard and understood.
Now, as a certified menopause wellness coach, I carry with me the lessons of my past. I am here to be the support that was so painfully absent in my own life, to offer women a safe space where they can ask questions, share fears, and find comfort. I believe every woman deserves a space where she is not rushed, where her concerns are met with compassion and where she can talk through the parts of her experience that feel confusing, isolating or even embarrassing. Menopause affects every aspect of our body, our lives, our relationships, our confidence, our sense of self. I want women to know they’re not alone, that there is someone who understands and who can help them navigate this journey with positivity, control and dignity.
For those who feel lost in the medical system, who’ve been dismissed or who have more questions than answers, a certified menopause wellness coach can be a lifeline. I have created programmes and sessions to provide the support and education that so many women are missing. Together, we can track symptoms, explore hormone therapy options and build personalised strategies for managing anxiety, sleep, nutrition and self-care. My approach is holistic and nurturing, designed to respect each woman’s unique needs and goals.
As women, we carry so much. We give so much. But in menopause, we deserve to receive. We deserve the grace to understand our bodies and the compassion to support them as they change. This is my calling, my passion and my purpose. I hope that, through my work, I can make a difference for each woman who reaches out, helping her to embrace this stage of life with knowledge, power and self-love.
If you would like to schedule a consultation please visit me at Womankind.uk