I watched Davina McCall: Sex, Myths and the Menopause #davinamenopause yesterday. I’d watched it a few months ago and meant to post about it but life got it the way. So, after the bill in parliament yesterday (in England) where HRT prescriptions were made much cheaper (they are already free in Scotland, Wales and N Ireland), I wanted to watch it again. And again, it made me realise what a lottery it is to get decent help at GPs and how little research has been done around the effects of menopause on women’s health. It’s thanks to people like @davinamccall and @carolynharrismp (and countless others) that now this topic is being taken seriously.

The programme also made me realise how hard coping with menopause, on top of the egg donation treatment, then the wonderful gift of two children from the treatment has been. I’ll never ever regret going for egg donation straight after my early menopause diagnosis but it hasn’t made things any easier that’s for sure. I’ve been blaming my fatigue, mood swings and anxiety on having a new baby and a toddler over the past year. And I know that will be part of it. But add on top the aching joints, brain fog, forgetfulness, and watching this programme I realise that I have been trying to cope with the effects of menopause on top of being post natal and looking after two small children. When I first watched this programme it made me want to look into getting the right medication for me and try things to make sure I am the best version of myself I can be at this stage of my life (more on that in another post). Whether that be with HRT, or different types of exercise than I’ve been used to doing in the past, meditation or whatever. I’ll try anything 😉

I would recommend anyone and everyone, men too, watch this programme on Channel 4’s All4 app. Everyone needs to be more aware of this. Thankyou @davinamccall for putting the spotlight on this incredibly important topic. And thankyou @carolynharrismp and all the other campaigners who have fought to get menopause taken seriously. I think there’s finally traction but there’s still a way to go.