DISPELLING MYTHS ABOUT MENOPAUSE

We caught up with Ann Marie McQueen, founder of Hot Flash, to discuss the most common myths about perimenopause and menopause, as well as the best way for women to navigate this transitional time.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO LAUNCH HOT FLASH?

In my early 40s I hit a wall. I started having nightmares and a heavy sense of doom would wash over me seconds after I opened my eyes. I was having intrusive thoughts and physical issues, like headaches, heart palpitations, body pain and sharp chest pains. I'd feel tingling all over my body and I developed really bad health anxiety.

I must have seen a dozen doctors and no one mentioned perimenopause. When I skipped my first period aged 47, I finally realised what was going on. I tried to find information, but nothing resonated with me - it was either extremely basic or too polarised. I thought I could bring my passion for content, my experience as a journalist in health and wellness coverage and what I'd been through on my journey, to help other women do the most empowering thing of all - be fully informed about their bodies, so they can find the right experts and make great decisions about their own care.

WHAT IS THE DENIAL STAGE?

In my mind, menopause was something that would happen when I was in my 60s. The average age is actually around 51 and perimenopause can start a decade or more before that. No 41 year old woman wants to even think about this, which is understandable!