Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Susie - Interview 34

Despite hot sweats, poor memory and tiredness, the menopause has had little impact on Susie's life. For her, it is a normal process. She has not consulted her GP nor taken medication. She feels freer to talk about the menopause in Western society.

  • Background

    Susie is not working at present. She is married with an adult son. She started the menopause at age 47. Ethnic background/nationality: Chinese.

  • Age at interview 51
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Vicky - Interview 35

    Vicky's menopausal symptoms include hot flushes, sweats, irritability, poor sleep and joint pain. A herbal remedy helped alleviate joint pain, but she has not sought help for other symptoms. At 51 she feels old, tired, less competitive and less ambitious.

  • Background

    Vicky has her own takeaway business. She is married with an two teenage daughters. She started the menopause at age 50. Ethnic background/nationality: Chinese.

  • Age at interview 51
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Liz - Interview 24

    A premature menopause coinciding with plans to have a baby has had a profound effect on all aspects of Liz 's life. Prescribed HRT to relieve her menopausal symptoms and to prevent osteoporosis, she finds support in an early menopause group.

  • Background

    Liz is a teacher. She is divorced with no children. She had a premature menopause at age 36. Ethnic background/nationality: White European.

  • Age at interview 38
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Janice - Interview 37

    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.

  • Background

    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.

  • Age at interview 59
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Denise - Interview 38

    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.

  • Background

    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.

  • Age at interview 53
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Rebecca - Interview 39

    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.

  • Background

    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.

  • Age at interview 57
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Geraldine - Interview 40

    Despite night sweats and poor memory, Geraldine has had few problems with the menopause. She has taken homeopathic remedies for twelve years to alleviate severe premenstrual tension. She believes this holistic approach will help her through the menopause.

  • Background

    Geraldine is an accountant. She is single with an adult son. She started the menopause at age 47. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 49
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Susan - Interview 41

    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.

  • Background

    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...

  • Age at interview 55
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Jane - Interview 42

    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.

  • Background

    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...

  • Age at interview 64
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Sonia - Interview 43

    When her periods became increasingly frequent at 40 and she started to have hot flushes, Sonia felt too young to be menopausal. In a public workplace with male colleagues, she found her symptoms embarrassing. A Mirena coil helped control the bleeding.

  • Background

    Sonia is a retail assistant. She is divorced with a teenage daughter. She started the menopause at age 40. Ethnic background/nationality: British Italian.

  • Age at interview 45
  • Sex/Gender Female