The Bright Side of things

At  45, Janet was the kind of woman who always found a reason to smile. Her laughter filled rooms, her positivity was infectious, and her resilience inspired everyone around her. Yet, beneath her confident demeanor lay a recent challenge she hadn’t anticipated—induced menopause.

Janet’s journey began when she was diagnosed with a benign ovarian tumor. Her doctor explained that the best course of action was surgery, which would result in early menopause. “It’s a necessary step,” the doctor reassured her, “and with your spirit, I have no doubt you’ll handle this beautifully.”

Janet nodded. She was no stranger to life’s curveballs. A widow for over a decade, she had raised two children who were now thriving adults. She had built a small but successful interior design business and volunteered at a local shelter on weekends. If she could manage all that, she could face menopause, too.

The changes came quickly. Within weeks of the surgery, Janet began experiencing intense hot flashes, night sweats, and a rollercoaster of emotions. One night, after waking up drenched for the third time, she sat on the edge of her bed and whispered to herself, “This is not going to break me.”

Instead of succumbing to frustration, Janet decided to educate herself. “Knowledge is power,” she told her best friend, Anne, “and I’m arming myself.”

Janet quickly learned that lifestyle changes could make a huge difference so she contacted a menopause coach to help her navigate this period of her life . With the help of this coach she learnt different tips for managing symptoms of induced menopause. She began to avoid things that can trigger hot flashes such as caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, tight clothing, stress, hot weather and cigarette smoke.  She started to dress in layers. She started to exercise daily and be more active.

When insomnia struck, Janet didn’t fight it. Instead, she used relaxation techniques and massage therapy. She prepared her room with a cool temperature and deemed the light in her bedroom.

In the community that the menopause coach introduced her, Janet met other women navigating menopause, and their shared stories gave her a sense of belonging. She realized that she wasn’t alone, and her positivity began to ripple outward. She became a source of encouragement, sharing tips, recipes, and humor.

By the time her 46th birthday rolled around, Janet felt like a new woman. Menopause had taught her to listen to her body, prioritize self-care, and embrace change with open arms.