A WOMAN who was left suicidal after her menopause symptoms were misdiagnosed has spoken out in a bid to change attitudes around the issue.
Sally, a Wychavon District Council community health champion, shared her story this week to prevent other women from going through the harrowing experience she endured over several years at the Story of Hope workshop on April 28.
The event at Watersedge, Bishampton, was open to members of the public as well as professionals working in health and support services.
Sally first became involved last year as a volunteer peer mentor on the Wellbeing in Wychavon programme.
Through her work with the programme, she began to open up about her own experiences and highlight the need for greater awareness of the link between the menopause and mental health.
As a result, women of perimenopausal age are now recognised as a priority group within the scheme.
Sally’s symptoms began in 2018 with anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia, which gradually took over her life.
The menopause was never considered as a possible cause, and her condition worsened over several years, leading to multiple hospital admissions and suicide attempts.
The turning point came when Sally recognised her symptoms after watching a television documentary and was prescribed hormone replacement therapy. Within months, her mental health improved and she was able to rebuild her life.
Sally is now using her story to help others, including contributing to a book being published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists this summer to improve understanding of the link between hormones and mental health.
“When I went on HRT, it was like someone had turned the light on. After all those years of being lost, suddenly there I was,” Sally said.
“Everything that happened to me was completely preventable. If just one person had checked my hormone levels, things would have been very different.
“When I asked why hormones had never been considered, I was just dismissed. That’s when I knew I had to tell my story. Things have to change.”
Research shows women experiencing perimenopause are significantly more likely to report suicidal thoughts and experience depression and anxiety.
Worryingly, in Worcestershire, suicide rates are higher among women aged 45 to 49.
The workshop forms part of the Wellbeing in Wychavon programme, which supports residents to peer support and signpost others in the community or workplace who are feeling challenged by poor mental wellbeing.
Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/wellbeing for more information on mental health support, including signposting to help.
If you need urgent help for your mental health, get help from 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option. It’s free and available 24 hours a day.
When life is difficult, Samaritans are also here day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123.
