October is World Menopause Awareness month and we’ve just celebrated (if that’s the right word) Menopause Awareness Day.

I did briefly ponder why October was chosen for this campaign, but then it came to me; October is traditionally when the temperature starts to dip, and we all put the heating on for the first time. Of course, if you live with a Peri-menopausal or Menopausal woman, you’ll be acutely aware that it’s ALREADY HOT IN HERE. I digress.

Women’s health has always been a bit of a taboo subject and until pretty recently, even women ourselves were guarded around the subject and found it hard to talk about. One thing I’m proud of with my own daughters, is seeing just how much that is changing with the younger generation and words like Period are no longer said in embarrassment. This is all natural stuff, affecting every woman in some way; we have a right to talk about the issues we face, and we deserve to be supported.I’m not the biggest Davina fan- once you reach the Peri-menopausal age, she’s all over your social media popping up with adverts in your timeline- mostly wearing an insufferable grin and a bikini! However, she really was the trailblazer for making the Menopause a subject that needed addressing. The symptoms vary form one woman to another and at its worst it can be debilitating, yet we’re just expected by society to carry on regardless. It needed to change and for that I thank her.

Closer to home, we are starting to get some great support and opportunities to discuss the issues with others- we all know a problem shared is a problem halved. This week sees Bumble and Bee host the Menopause Café on Tuesday evening (24th) from 7-9pm. Hosted by local Menopause champion Jinty Sheerin who is behind a campaign to get a local Menopause clinic off the ground, the regular event is an opportunity to meet and talk to others about health and other related issues in a safe space. It’s a drop in event, so pop along to find out more or check out the Menopause Café website for future dates. A little further down the line, there is also an event being held with two visiting experts in the field : Kate Rowe-Ham and Anna Marie Gough. The event is scheduled for 25th January and will see the two visitors discussing amongst other things, techniques to help deal with the symptoms of Menopause. Anna Marie has a background in well-being therapies and Kate is a renowned Menopause fitness coach, advocate, and author. Tickets are yet to be made available, but the event is being run by Exe Events so keep an eye on their website and social media for more information.

The tricky thing with the Menopause, is when to say it’s definitely happening, but that’s why it’s good to talk to others. No need to suffer in silence. Now is it me or is it hot in here?