Woman Describes Perimenopause's Devastating Impact on Her Life

Sally Williams spent nearly a year in hospital across eight admissions and was separated from her teenage son as her mental health declined and her life unraveled over three years. She believes her symptoms were linked to perimenopause, the period before menopause, which she described as a "danger zone."

Williams, who eventually self-diagnosed, is now urging other women to be aware of perimenopause, a phase that typically begins around age 46 and during which women still experience periods but may exhibit menopause symptoms. These symptoms can encompass anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, hot flashes, and irregular periods. Some women find relief through hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

When her symptoms started in her late 40s, medical professionals initially suggested depression. Williams recounted multiple suicide attempts, including one that resulted in a three-month period of immobility due to polytrauma. During this time, which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, she had no visitors and limited contact with others.

"I had to leave my job. This was at perimenopause time," Williams stated. "My message to women is that, menopause is not the danger zone, it's the run up, it's the 45 to 54."

For Williams, HRT proved to be a turning point, helping her recover after feeling "unrecognisable" prior to her diagnosis. She acknowledged that HRT is not suitable for everyone.

Williams is scheduled to share her experiences with perimenopause and her struggle to receive a diagnosis at Meno Fest, a free event at Worcester Rugby Club on October 7, as part of Menopause Awareness Month. The event aims to foster a better understanding of how perimenopause and menopause can affect various aspects of life, including physical and mental health, relationships, work, and family.

She also emphasized the importance of men understanding the challenges women face during perimenopause. "I think men need to come into the conversation as well, and I'm not just talking husbands and partners, I'm talking sons," she said. "It was devastating and there's relationships that have been broken that will never be put back together. I'm very sad about that."