Menopause - Plan it, Live it, Love it
Donation protected
My name is Maureen, I am 54 and I am on my menopause journey.
The launch of this appeal on 20th May 2021 is to raise funds so that every woman on her menopause journey aged 40+ has access to a Personal Menopause Plan.
My Story
Four years ago, I did not know what was happening to me. I was working full time, had a family and my parents were aging. I recall having severe back spasms and walking with a walking stick, the only way I could explain this to my GP was by being extremely graphic 'it feels like a hot poker is being shoved into my rectum and at other times it feels as if my back is being ripped apart'. The pain threshold scale, simply did not work for me - the GP winced at my description and prescribed muscle relaxants - at no time did he suggest to me that these were part of my menopause or as a result of the changes in my hormones. So, I just did what other women did … I got on with getting on!
UK Stats
Currently in the UK there are approximately 13 million women who are in the category of ‘menopause’ (peri-menopause through to post menopause). A basic google search will show between 34-66 symptoms or traits typically experienced by some women. For some these occur infrequently and for others this will be their normal for a number of years. In some cases there are women experiencing their menopausal journey for as long as 15-20 years. That's right, they will be experiencing symptoms for up to 20 years!
And there's more ...
Now imagine, just for a moment that you are also:
* employed/self employed/unemployed
*living with a disability
*having regular medical interventions
*responsible for children
*responsible for elders
*grandparent responsibilities
*have a spouse or partner
*have financial worries
*have challenges with your housing
*have or are experiencing any form of abuse
How are you coping?
My colleague tried to manage her symptoms alongside her very supportive husband. She had four children and a challenging job. There was no support for her, I did not have experience to support her effectively. During a particularly challenging night, she felt she had no choice than to shave her hair off. Within a few months she had also resigned. She simply could not cope and there was no support for her in the work place or within the community.
Work so far
A year ago I desperately needed information to help me understand what was occurring within my own body, I reached out to my network asking if they wanted to be involved in conversations on the menopause - 70 women responded. It was clear that we were all learning. I then went on to create with a wellness coach a course called MAMM Learning - First Aid for Menopause. This course has supported women and has given them the confidence to have open conversations based on their informed knowledge in respect of their menopause journey. Courses run monthly and access is via registration.
Testimonials
'I feel like I suffered though my “productive” years but I feel like I don’t need to do this through another stage of my life'.
'I thought I was ok until January 2017 when the palpitations started and a real change started happening to my body and by March 2018 I had to give up work. Take proper time out to look after yourself.'
'MAMM has provided an incredible space to support us through the menopausal journey'
'Thank you for Helping and Sharing your Knowledge and Teaching Us All how to move Forward'
'Menopause is not just a woman's issue - it impacts every part of our lives - family, employment, community - I have been so pleased to be able to talk about my feelings with others and I feel more confident to talk about it with my manager.'
The benefits of a Personal Menopause Plan (PMP)
Having a Personal Menopause Plan will ensure that you, your employer, your colleagues and your family are better informed to support you. Your Personal Menopause Plan will indeed help you to manage your own symptoms - it will detail what food choices will work with your body, it will highlight your levels of exposure to toxicity and stress as well as ensuring that you are more conscious about using mindfulness to give you a moment of calmness.
The Personal Menopause Plan is vital in order for you to move confidently along your menopause journey.
With your support and donations we aim to support at least
202 women by 20 May 2022 .
Please support me as I support you and share the page with others.
The launch of this appeal on 20th May 2021 is to raise funds so that every woman on her menopause journey aged 40+ has access to a Personal Menopause Plan.
My Story
Four years ago, I did not know what was happening to me. I was working full time, had a family and my parents were aging. I recall having severe back spasms and walking with a walking stick, the only way I could explain this to my GP was by being extremely graphic 'it feels like a hot poker is being shoved into my rectum and at other times it feels as if my back is being ripped apart'. The pain threshold scale, simply did not work for me - the GP winced at my description and prescribed muscle relaxants - at no time did he suggest to me that these were part of my menopause or as a result of the changes in my hormones. So, I just did what other women did … I got on with getting on!
UK Stats
Currently in the UK there are approximately 13 million women who are in the category of ‘menopause’ (peri-menopause through to post menopause). A basic google search will show between 34-66 symptoms or traits typically experienced by some women. For some these occur infrequently and for others this will be their normal for a number of years. In some cases there are women experiencing their menopausal journey for as long as 15-20 years. That's right, they will be experiencing symptoms for up to 20 years!
And there's more ...
Now imagine, just for a moment that you are also:
* employed/self employed/unemployed
*living with a disability
*having regular medical interventions
*responsible for children
*responsible for elders
*grandparent responsibilities
*have a spouse or partner
*have financial worries
*have challenges with your housing
*have or are experiencing any form of abuse
How are you coping?
My colleague tried to manage her symptoms alongside her very supportive husband. She had four children and a challenging job. There was no support for her, I did not have experience to support her effectively. During a particularly challenging night, she felt she had no choice than to shave her hair off. Within a few months she had also resigned. She simply could not cope and there was no support for her in the work place or within the community.
Work so far
A year ago I desperately needed information to help me understand what was occurring within my own body, I reached out to my network asking if they wanted to be involved in conversations on the menopause - 70 women responded. It was clear that we were all learning. I then went on to create with a wellness coach a course called MAMM Learning - First Aid for Menopause. This course has supported women and has given them the confidence to have open conversations based on their informed knowledge in respect of their menopause journey. Courses run monthly and access is via registration.
Testimonials
'I feel like I suffered though my “productive” years but I feel like I don’t need to do this through another stage of my life'.
'I thought I was ok until January 2017 when the palpitations started and a real change started happening to my body and by March 2018 I had to give up work. Take proper time out to look after yourself.'
'MAMM has provided an incredible space to support us through the menopausal journey'
'Thank you for Helping and Sharing your Knowledge and Teaching Us All how to move Forward'
'Menopause is not just a woman's issue - it impacts every part of our lives - family, employment, community - I have been so pleased to be able to talk about my feelings with others and I feel more confident to talk about it with my manager.'
The benefits of a Personal Menopause Plan (PMP)
Having a Personal Menopause Plan will ensure that you, your employer, your colleagues and your family are better informed to support you. Your Personal Menopause Plan will indeed help you to manage your own symptoms - it will detail what food choices will work with your body, it will highlight your levels of exposure to toxicity and stress as well as ensuring that you are more conscious about using mindfulness to give you a moment of calmness.
The Personal Menopause Plan is vital in order for you to move confidently along your menopause journey.
With your support and donations we aim to support at least
202 women by 20 May 2022 .
Please support me as I support you and share the page with others.
Organizer
Maureen Anderson
Organizer
England