{"id":553,"date":"2023-08-15T15:27:40","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T14:27:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/?p=553"},"modified":"2023-08-23T14:06:51","modified_gmt":"2023-08-23T13:06:51","slug":"ermsorry-what-was-i-saying","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/2023\/08\/15\/ermsorry-what-was-i-saying\/","title":{"rendered":"Erm\u2026sorry, what was I saying?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-shaw-blog-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-555\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-shaw-blog-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-shaw-blog-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-shaw-blog-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-shaw-blog-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-shaw-blog-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/Helen-Shaw_Blog_MP3.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>You can listen to an audio version of Helen\u2019s blog post above and you can watch a British Sign Language version below<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Helen Shaw BSL Vlog\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/u4AfAnETF7I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>My name is Helen Shaw and I work in Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity (SWAI) at the University. I started being affected by early menopause when I was \u2018just\u2019 43. \u00a0I think if I was in my 50s, I\u2019d have been more alert to the symptoms rather than it totally blindsiding me, so I\u2019m hoping by sharing my story with you it helps to increase awareness and support for other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Early, in the context of menopause, is under the age of 45. Looking back now, it couldn\u2019t have been more obvious what was happening to me, but hindsight is a wonderful thing and instead, I explained my symptoms away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2096\" height=\"1431\" class=\"wp-image-556\" style=\"width: 150px\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-1.jpg 2096w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-1-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-1-1024x699.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-1-768x524.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-1-1536x1049.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-1-2048x1398.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2096px) 100vw, 2096px\" \/>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">The aches and pains in my limbs and joints, particularly my arms, legs and hips, I put down to having caught viruses and \u2018just\u2019 feeling run-down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2122\" height=\"1413\" class=\"wp-image-559\" style=\"width: 150px\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-2-1.jpg 2122w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-2-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-2-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-2-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-2-1-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-2-1-2048x1364.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2122px) 100vw, 2122px\" \/> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The waking in the night drenched in sweat I put down to \u2018just\u2019 having nightmares (even though I could never remember them).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2120\" height=\"1415\" class=\"wp-image-560\" style=\"width: 150px\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-3.jpg 2120w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-3-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-3-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-3-2048x1367.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2120px) 100vw, 2120px\" \/> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bouts of extreme fatigue I put down to \u2018just\u2019 having a lot to deal with in my life (my father was sadly living with terminal cancer).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" class=\"wp-image-561\" style=\"width: 150px\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-4-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-4-1.jpg 2121w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-4-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-4-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-4-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-4-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-4-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2121px) 100vw, 2121px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My very low mood, short temper and not feeling like myself, I put down to \u2018just\u2019 being a typical reaction to the situation with my dad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2124\" height=\"1411\" class=\"wp-image-562\" style=\"width: 150px\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-5.jpg 2124w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-5-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-5-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-5-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-5-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-5-2048x1361.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2124px) 100vw, 2124px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The frequent and overwhelming periods of brain fog and forgetfulness I put down to \u2018just\u2019 being sleep deprived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" class=\"wp-image-563\" style=\"width: 150px\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-6.jpg 2121w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-6-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-6-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2121px) 100vw, 2121px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The weight gain and change of body shape I put down to \u2018just\u2019 eating more comfort food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" class=\"wp-image-564\" style=\"width: 150px\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-7.jpg 2121w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-7-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-7-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-7-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-7-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2121px) 100vw, 2121px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My dry, gritty and itchy eyes I put down to \u2018just\u2019 being a side effect of some recent eye treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2127\" height=\"1410\" class=\"wp-image-565\" style=\"width: 150px\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-8-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-8-1.jpg 2127w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-8-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-8-1-1024x679.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-8-1-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-8-1-1536x1018.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-8-1-2048x1358.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2127px) 100vw, 2127px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My dull, itchy and blotchy skin I put down to \u2018just\u2019 a poor diet and being indoors with the air-conditioning or heating on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" class=\"wp-image-566\" style=\"width: 150px\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-9.jpg 2121w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-9-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-9-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-9-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-9-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2121px) 100vw, 2121px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rapid deterioration of my eyesight and intense headaches I put down to \u2018just\u2019 having too much screen time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" class=\"wp-image-567\" style=\"width: 150px\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helly-blog-getty-10.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helly-blog-getty-10.jpg 2121w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helly-blog-getty-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helly-blog-getty-10-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helly-blog-getty-10-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helly-blog-getty-10-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helly-blog-getty-10-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2121px) 100vw, 2121px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My hair falling out I put down to \u2018just\u2019 being a symptom of stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" class=\"wp-image-568\" style=\"width: 150px\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-11.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-11.jpg 2121w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-11-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-11-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/helen-blog-getty-11-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2121px) 100vw, 2121px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My periods stopping, I put down to, well, not being a huge surprise with my body dealing with all of the above!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I only started to piece the jigsaw together when I happened to catch one of Davina McCall&#8217;s TV shows highlighting the myriad of women\u2019s experiences alongside the science of menopause. I remember watching it, frowning, thinking that sounds very familiar, maybe I should see a GP?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, I did and had a blood test which confirmed my low oestrogen levels. I knew I wanted <em>hormone replacement therapy<\/em>&nbsp;(<em>HRT<\/em>), but I was surprised by some people\u2019s reactions to my decision, commenting that menopause was a natural female experience and to \u2018just push through\u2019. But I\u2019d done my research, I knew the long-term risks for me of living with low oestrogen levels having started so young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My view was if I was deficient in Vitamin C, I\u2019d take a supplement. If I was deficient in Iron, I\u2019d take a supplement. I am deficient in oestrogen, and therefore I need a supplement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" class=\"wp-image-579\" style=\"width: 300px\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1387342690.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1387342690.jpg 2121w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1387342690-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1387342690-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1387342690-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1387342690-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1387342690-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2121px) 100vw, 2121px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Now, I could write a separate article about my HRT experience (I had no idea it came in so many different formats, dosages, applications etc), but in a nutshell, blood tests are showing my body is not absorbing any of it. Not an ounce. Or a gram. Or whatever it comes in. I didn\u2019t even know that was possible! Despite living with no change of symptoms for 9 months of being on HRT, I still explained them all away, as \u2018just\u2019 something else. Not only had I done it once, but I\u2019d also done it again and so now I\u2019m on a waiting list to see a specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the meantime, back to those symptoms\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Professionally, it is the brain fog that impacts me the most frequently and causes me the greatest embarrassment: getting long standing colleagues\u2019 names mixed up; losing control of my words mid-sentence and having them come out in random order; forgetting what I was talking about mid-sentence so having to say \u2018sorry, what was I saying?\u2019; and losing focus during conversations. It feels like suddenly my head is struck with a large, flat spade before being sliced open and stuffed with cotton wool mixed with porridge. I know right, quite an image! If this happens, please bear with me, and be assured I really can do my job and I am not tipsy at midday, it\u2019s a brain fog moment and I need your support to work through it. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If this resonates with you, I can recommend Davina McCall\u2019s two Channel 4 shows: \u2018Sex, Myths and the Menopause\u2019 and \u2018Sex, Mind and the Menopause\u2019. Davina McCall\u2019s and Dr Naomi Potter\u2019s book \u2018Menopausing: The Positive Roadmap to Your Second Spring\u2019 is also a great resource for an accessible, relatable and informative collection of stories and articles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, you can find the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lboro.ac.uk\/services\/hr\/support\/menopause\/\">University\u2019s menopause policy for staff on the HR webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and for your support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>All images are courtesy of Getty Images<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>My name is Helen Shaw and I work in Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity (SWAI) at the University. I started being affected by early menopause when I was \u2018just\u2019 43. \u00a0I think if I was in my 50s, I\u2019d have been more alert to the symptoms rather than it totally blindsiding me, so I\u2019m hoping by [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":648,"featured_media":555,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"lboro_blog_alternative_thumbnail_image":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Erm\u2026sorry, what was I saying? - Health and Wellbeing<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/wellbeing\/2023\/08\/15\/ermsorry-what-was-i-saying\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Erm\u2026sorry, what was I saying? - Health and Wellbeing\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"My name is Helen Shaw and I work in Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity (SWAI) at the University. 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