Meet Bea
Peri-menopause Turned my Life Upside Down
I grew up in Venezuela surrounded by beauty, warmth and strong values. I studied hard, worked with purpose and eventually built a life in the UK. By my early 40s, I was living the dream I’d long envisioned – 23 years at a company I loved, doing work that fulfilled me. I had a supportive family, the home I’d always wanted, and a deep sense that everything was falling into place.
The Unravelling
In my mid-40s, everything started to slip. I struggled at work with tasks that used to be second nature. I cried without reason. I felt anxious, sad, and unfamiliar to myself.
I tried everything—coaches, therapists, psychologists. I left my job, started a new one, moved house, changed routines. Nothing helped.
Then it Hit Me: Could this be Menopause?
At the same time, I was beginning a new and wonderful relationship with Mark—something full of promise and joy. But reconciling that with the feeling that my life was falling apart was disorienting. I was certain it would be impossible, that I’d scare him off. To my surprise, he stuck around. He listened. He learned with me. He supported me. And he stayed.
I began to understand that hormonal fluctuations don’t just bring the lows—they bring highs too. And it’s that rollercoaster, the constant emotional whiplash, that’s most exhausting.
Search for Answers
I saw a doctor. She ran tests and told me it wasn’t peri-menopause—I was still ovulating and “too young.” I left her office in tears, convinced I was just losing it.
The second doctor listened. I cried before I could even speak. She gently said, “The most common thing women say is: I don’t feel like myself.” She recognized the symptoms immediately. We discussed options, and I started HRT.
It took time to find the right balance, but slowly, I began to feel like me again—bubbly, smiley, energetic. Not perfect, but better.
From Resentment to Reinvention
I felt angry—menopause had blindsided me. I had prepared so much for everything in my life, but this came unexpectedly and derailed everything. But beneath the frustration was a growing urge: I need to help other women avoid this. What started as resentment slowly transformed into empowerment.
What Comes Next?
I don’t know exactly what’s ahead.
I don’t know how I’ll feel tomorrow, or what post-menopause will bring.
But I do know this.
I won’t be quiet about it. I won’t go through it alone.
I want to connect with the 1 billion women navigating this journey. I want everything we’ve learned to be available to others. I want everyone to be prepared for this.
That’s why we created The Pause Hub!
