Menopause Monologue Part 1
The Doctor.
At last, I finally found the catalyst to start my Menopause Monologue!
I’ve never seen, or read the similarly monikered play, but I’m well aware of its very personal, experiential birth.
That is what this is, personal.
It isn’t going to come in any ordered episodes of what has happened to me, it will be whatever causes me to batter my keyboard at any given moment. I’ve already started ‘part 2’ before part 1 is finished!
I shoot from my ample hip, so let’s see where it goes!
I got shingles.
I know. What has that got to do with menopause?
Well, it goes a bit like this. Well, actually, it goes a lot like this or, sort of exactly like this.
I have bobbled about through life, avoiding going to a doctor for many reasons. Most are related to time(lack of any to spare), sometimes it’s because I tend to just get better.
Sometimes it’s because it’s too trivial compared to what others seem to go through, so I just soldier on with it.
Shingles was one of those times when I just couldn’t do it anymore, the soldiering thing.
Menopause and Shingles
Let battle commence!
I didn’t intend to go into battle but by the time I had a diagnosis it felt like I had fought a whole war.
Over 7 days I was in contact with 7 different medical professionals, in person, and over the phone.
Why battle?
The best case scenario.
In the simplest case scenario there isn’t a need for battle where our health is concerned.
We ask for help from a healthcare professional and they do their best to find a solution to our problem.
Real life is such a different story.
This isn’t an ‘our poor NHS’, nor is it ‘Doctors are rubbish, they don’t know anything’.
Going back to the NHS, this could be any developed nation I am referring to, whether you pay ‘on demand’ for health care, or if it is through a system such as in the UK, where taxes fund the majority of healthcare for its citizens.
Doctors are Humans
For some reason , we have been brought up to believed that doctors know everything about every illness, symptom and treatment that is cast in front of them.
It’s the same sort of illusion that many perpetually succumb to every day.
such as-
Every teacher knows how to write every sentence in perfect English, knows the origins of the universe, and why little [insert name of child] doesn’t eat the ham/jam/chocolate spread sandwich in their lunchbox.
‘‘It’s has been their favourite for the last 2 years, I put one in EVERY DAY’’
The illusion that staff in humungous supermarkets know the price, stock level and location of every single product that they sell.
Every police officer knows a criminal by ‘just looking at them’.
It’s that perfectionism that leaves us striving to reach goals that are most likely unobtainable for the majority of us.
It’s an Illusion
No human is free from imperfection. No matter their education, life experience, financial or social standing. What we see as imperfections are actually what differentiates us from the majority of other living organisms. We have evolved to support and embrace differences between each other. It has triggered the exploration of existence, and how to sustain it for longer, and has given us choices on how to enjoy that very existence, in the best way, for each of us, without hurting other humans.
I do realise that sometimes this ideal is skewed and broken by some people. Most of us though, do try to stay on the straight and narrow, try not fall off the precipice and dragging others with us into the abyss.
Back to the doctor
So, what's the point of this first menopause monologue?
It’s about getting help and going in with realistic expectations.
If you believe you are menopausal or peri-menopausal
Go to see your doctor.
Don’t go expecting an instant solution.
Don’t go expecting them to be able to answer all your questions there and then.
If you are not happy with the consultation see a different doctor. A piece of advice I heard recently was to ask if there are any student doctors available, interns, registrars, or whatever the term is for fresh new doctor with fresh new knowledge!
Don’t get side-lined into private consultations. This is mainly aimed at my UK readers. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)has advice and guidance for GPs. You can always politely remind the more staid members of the medical profession of where to find it… HERE - NICE
Just as you may only just be discovering what is available to menopausal and peri-menopausal women, so it can be for your family doctor, your GENERAL PRACTITIONER.
Do click on the links I have put in this page.
They are NOT AFFILIATE links, I don’t get paid for promoting them.
I have researched a lot myself and these links have easy to understand, accurate and up to date information.
Update your own knowledge whatever your age. There is no ‘too young’ age to be menopausal after puberty, and no ‘too old’ to get help with debilitating symptoms.
As with anything else there is a minefield of information out there. These are two of the best, reliably informative website I have found.
Henpicked is my favourite and has been used to support many employer menopause awareness programmes.
Balance.is linked to costly, private, menopause support but the information and app are free. The app also has a really useful symptom tracker.
2. Write a list of your symptoms down BEFORE you go.
There is a FREE symptom checker/tracker on the Balance app, SHOW IT TO YOUR DOCTOR.
I was actually surprised how many symptoms I had, that I didn’t know were symptoms of menopause and that have gone away now I’m on HRT!
Last but not least, START OR KEEP TALKING about it. If you feel like s@#t, let people know; your family, your friends your colleagues and your employer. If you feel great, share it, let others know what you have done to make this time more bearable.
I would love to hear from you. If you have any questions, comments or recommendations for future menopause related monologues drop me a message on my contact page or comment below.