This is a firsthand account submitted through SWHR’s Share Your Story portal, as part of SWHR’s Women’s Health Perspective series.
When I first started to experience menopause symptoms, my primary physician advised me to go through this biological process “naturally”. I do not like taking medication if I do not need it and was in agreement with her statement. In looking back, I wish I had asked her another question: “What does that mean?”. My symptoms were fatigue, body aches and being sensitive. I was working at a pre-school and daycare center and was actively multi-tasking as well.
Fast forward several years later, I had shingles for the third time and was advised by my primary doctor to take the shingles vaccine. In researching, I had a question for the doctor: “Could I have a secondary autoimmune disease that would be impacted by the vaccine?”. She assured me that the vaccine was fine and that I should have no concerns. Several weeks later, I had an unexpected, week-long stay in a behavioral center in a hospital. Apparently, I volunteered for this program without my knowledge. I received an anxiety/depression diagnosis after this experience and was ordered additional blood work. I soon received confirmation that I had an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), along with an undiagnosed autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s disease. Menopause, thyroid diseases (like Hashimoto’s disease) and anxiety and depression can share similar symptoms. Stress does not factor in well with this equation. My symptoms were exhaustion, brain fog, insomnia, hot flashes, and, of course, weight gain.
Menopause is both a medical and mental health issue. Menopause and autoimmune thyroid diseases can make for the “perfect storm”.
Today, I hope to be an independent patient advocate for women’s health and share information I learned the hard way. My key message is to be mindful of our bodies. Scientific data suggests 45-55 years old is the “average range” for menopause. Not everyone will fit in to this range during their menopause transition. Our annual exams are important times for us to discuss how we are doing. It is essential to use our voices.
If there is one goal I hope to accomplish through sharing my experience, it is this: Ask questions! If something does not sound right to you, ask another question. Do your research and do your homework. We cannot know the questions to ask unless we come in with some knowledge of our symptoms and issues. Life is a continuation of learning as we go.