The symptoms I was experiencing finally escalated to such an intense level that I decided to seek medical advice and treatment just before turning 50.

For years, my attitude toward menopause had always been, ‘I won’t focus on it, I’ll let it happen naturally, I won’t use HRT, I’ll remain strong, and it will pass easily.’

What pushed me to my breaking point was a five-day period of severe and crippling anxiety. I realized this feeling was coming from within; there were no external stressors in my life that could explain it. Yet, I felt incredibly unwell—my heart racing, adrenaline surging, unable to sleep or calm down, and incapable of functioning normally. It was so terrifying that I feared I was at the beginning stages of a serious mental illness.

If I had any advice to give it would be for all women in their 40s to pay attention to their well-being and read up on the perimenopause. Gather information, talk about changes, and try out solutions. We deserve to feel well and live our