What’s Menopause really costing you?

I’ve always thought about menopause in terms of the way it affects my body and my mind, but I hadn’t stopped to consider how much it’s cost me in other ways.

If I look back over the last few years, I’ve been to see multiple GPs, an Endocrinologist and a Gynaecologist. I’d hate to think what I’ve spent on those appointments, let alone the subsequent tests and follow ups, along with the amount of time spent trying to find the right medical support.

I can name at least half a dozen vitamins I’ve tried (also not cheap) as well as a number of books I’ve bought on the topic. Add to this the dietary changes I’ve made to help with my energy levels, minimise the bloat and aid with sleep, and we’d be creeping up there in terms of expenses. I’ve changed skincare to manage my now seriously dry skin, and when I eventually moved onto taking HRT, the costs skyrocketed!

To add insult to injury, there is also the added effort of trial and error when it comes to each of these things. Reaching out to a specialist but not getting the help or knowledge that I needed. Trying vitamins only to realise the promise of relief wasn’t coming. Searching for things to support me through my menopause transition and identifying what makes a difference for my own symptoms, has taken a lot of time as well as a lot of money.

There are so many products, books and diets that promise the world, but where do you start? Given everyone’s journey is individual, and the symptoms just as varied, it’s no wonder it can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. And once you do, another symptom rears its head, and you go searching yet again.

All of this has helped me understand what I’m dealing with and how to communicate my symptoms with the professionals I see for help. It’s also something I’ve been able to share with friends, family and co-workers along the way.

As a topic our parent’s generation just sucked up and got on with, it’s been life changing to have a community of like-minded women to share the experience and knowledge with (as well as the never-ending memes to laugh at) 😊

Hang in there everyone. It’s a bumpy ride!