I approached the clinic on the back of a Bupa Health assessment; over the last couple of years (at least) I have been walking a fine line of managing a busy demanding career, a family, kids and dogs, whilst dealing with the most horrendous symptoms of, what I know now, is the peri-menopause or indeed early stages of going through the change…

I explored a number of avenues over a period of time; gynaecologist, anxiety treatment, questioning my ability to do my job and ultimately ended up quite often working excessive hours to counteract the issues I was experiencing, which, had a knock on impact in all areas of my life. I was fit and healthy, carrying a few extra pounds after COVID but on the whole, looked after myself very well…

I would, however, end up at a low point most months and identified a pattern to the symptoms; my complete inability for processing information/concentrating at work at certain points in the month came too much to bear.

I made the link, the bone pains, general dysfunction would come after ovulation and like a clock being wound, would get tighter and more unbearable, in the lead up to my cycle. I felt as though a black cloud was following me and I couldn’t escape. Once the period arrived, some months, I would feel like a different person again within a day or two...

At 42, even though I suspected what was happening to my body, was due to the change, I found it incredibly difficult to navigate treatment with an NHS Doctor, and with COVID compounding matters. Dr Kini was signposted to me at the Flourish Clinic and I booked in. During the initial consultation, I was able to confirm my suspicions that these problems were likely driven by the drop in oestrogen after ovulation, in the lead up to menstruation.

I explored potential treatments, able to discuss these fully with Dr Kini and felt finally, someone was listening. The session was very empowering; after a couple of years of suffering in silence, I finally had a path out of the disruptive and debilitating cycle I found myself in…

If anyone else is experiencing these issues, trust your own body and get the air time with a menopause specialist - recommend 100% to make that phone call and book yourself in with an expert to enable you to take control of the solution.