Erfahrungsbericht: Tina's perimenopause

A personal account - Challenges and insights

What do menopause and its transitions mean individually for each woman? For many, this phase is a mix of physical changes and emotional challenges. Tina, a Chief Operating Officer, 49, shares her personal experiences in an open conversation, offering valuable insights into her journey through menopause.

Early signs and initial reactions  

Tina vividly recalls the moment in 2019 when she first noticed changes. "I suddenly experienced a shorter cycle, which was totally unusual for me," she shares. "Until then, my cycle had always been stable." This led to what she describes as a small "freak-out moment." A familiar stability had vanished, and the realization that a new life phase was beginning hit her hard.

"At first, I didn’t have any symptoms apart from the irregular cycle," Tina recounts. "There was simply no apparent reason for it." Over time, however, she developed various symptoms and began analyzing them. "It was quite a journey figuring out which symptoms were related to menopause," she says. "I had to learn how to interpret my experiences—was it just sleep deprivation or an actual menopause symptom?"

To navigate this, she relied on her research and listened to specialized programs focused on menopause. She found particular value in speaking with a doctor from hermaid, who provided her with a comprehensive overview of potential symptoms and made her feel understood and supported.

Coping with changes

Initially, Tina didn’t seek medical help because she was so focused on her professional responsibilities. "I was so busy that I didn’t take the time to care for myself," she admits. It wasn’t until additional health issues arose that she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which further complicated her situation. Despite these challenges, Tina found strength and reassurance through reading and the resources offered by hermaid. "I felt empowered to take my experiences seriously and not let others undermine my feelings," she explains.

Menopause and its impact on work

Menopause also influenced Tina’s professional life. Tasks she previously handled effortlessly sometimes became more challenging. "Some days were really tough," she says. "I learned to tackle less demanding tasks on those days, especially ones that didn’t require intensive interaction."

Her attitude toward work shifted as well. Whereas she once pursued increasing responsibilities, she now values a balanced, less stressful work environment.

Tina also recognizes the positive aspects of this midlife phase. She reflects more on her life decisions and questions whether her actions are for herself or to meet others' expectations. "It’s a time to set priorities and ask yourself what really matters," she says. "How do I want to shape the years ahead?"

Support and insights from hermaid

A key resource for Tina during this phase was hermaid. "I was thrilled to finally find a great program for menopause," she says. "It helped me understand the breadth of symptoms and explore different approaches to managing them." The combination of conventional medical approaches and holistic methods provided her with a comprehensive understanding and a sense of solidarity.

"Every woman goes through this phase, and together, we can better understand and navigate this time,"
Tina concludes