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Despite hot flushes and eighteen months of erratic periods, Maureen feels she sailed through the menopause. She describes it as a liberating experience bringing relief from the pain and inconvenience of periods, as well as increased self-confidence.
Maureen is a support care worker. She is divorced with four adult children. She started the menopause at age 45 and had her last period at 47. Ethnic background/nationality: White...
Tiredness, irritability and hot flushes in her fifties led Janet to take HRT. Symptoms returned after discontinuing HRT 12 years later. Resumed HRT for a few years but stopped after heavy bleed. At 77, no longer on HRT but still gets hot flushes.
Janet is a retired probation officer. She is widowed with four adult children. She started the menopause at age 55 and was a long-term user of HRT until four years...
Jane is a staunch advocate of HRT, taking it continuously for 15 years. She believes the benefits, including preventing osteoporosis, outweigh the disadvantages. Recently prescribed vaginal tablets to alleviate thinning of vaginal wall.
Jane is a research lecturer. She is married with three adult children. She started the menopause at age 50 and has been taking HRT for the past 15 years. Ethnic...
Alongside hot flushes and joint pain, Susan experienced anxiety, anger, inability to make decisions and loss of self-confidence. Support from her partner and colleagues helped her emerge from the menopause with a sense of hope, renewal and refreshment.
Susan is the manager of a women’s health centre. She lives with her partner and has no children. She started the menopause at age 45 and had her last period...
Rebecca's symptoms included heavy periods, hot flushes and poor memory. Media reports made her wary of HRT. A positive attitude has helped her make a successful transition. Now postmenopausal, she is enjoying a new sense of freedom.
Rebecca is a retired NHS manager. She is married with adult children. She started the menopause at age 48 and had her last period at 52. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
HRT helped Denise overcome mood swings, itchy skin and hair loss. More recently hormone pessaries have improved vaginal dryness. She believes some of her symptoms, including joint pain and tiredness, may be related to a chronic health condition.
Denise is an administrator. She is married with two teenage sons. She started the menopause at age 50 and had her last period at 52. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
Janice took HRT for 5 years which stabilised her periods, gave her energy and improved her memory. Since going off HRT at her GP's insistence, she has experienced low moods, forgetfulness and vaginal dryness. She feels the menopause is like a bereavement.
Janice is a health worker. She is divorced with three adult daughters. She started the menopause at age 45 and had her last period at 57. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
Rose's menopausal symptoms included hot flushes, headaches, and tiredness. Tried a number of types of HRT but problems with breakthrough bleeding, headaches and heart palpitations led her to manage her symptoms naturally with the help of herbal remedies.
Rose is a personnel manager. She is married with two adult children. She started the menopause at age 43 and had her last period at 45. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
With a history of irregular periods, Carolyn did not realise she was going through the menopause until a blood test, a year after her last period, confirmed she was postmenopausal. She sailed through the menopause, experiencing no unpleasant symptoms.
Carolyn is a retired police officer. She is single with no children. She started the menopause in her early fifties and had her last period at 53. Ethnic background/nationality: White...
Mary describes menopause as 'the most fundamental loss ending her hopes of becoming a mother. Her decision to take HRT to improve poor memory was 'like a miracle'. Withdrawal on doctor's advice after 5 years, however, saw a return of symptoms.
Mary is a self-employed charity consultant. She is married with no children. She started the menopause at age 46 and had her last period at 53. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
