Resources

Free Menopause Resources to help you on your journey

Resources

Educating all on menopause is completely new

New to perimenopause and menopause? You are in the right place. The information here provides a basic overview to get you started. Check out Breeda’s book on the book page as a next step. Increasing your knowledge on what this stage of life is all about will help you take control of your menopause years. Should you require more information or to book a consultation email Breeda@midlifewomenrockproject.com

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Menopause and Midlife

The facts about midlife and menopause

By 2025 a stunning 1.1 Billion women will be in menopause globally!
Latest research shows that the silence and taboo that has surrounded menopause for decades is contributing immensely to many of the symptoms and issues presenting for women. Opening conversations in safe spaces has proven to be very powerful in the Midlife Women Rock Cafes in Waterford. Women to women support has enabled and empowered women to pro-actively take on menopause, take control of their lives and look upon menopause through a new more positive lens. With many women returning to the workplace or changing careers, my vision is to see these safe spaces open up throughout Ireland.

  • Early Menopause Under 45

    Early menopause -occurs before the age of 45 years well before 51/52 years of age, the average age of menopause in Ireland and the UK.

    Premature Ovarian Insufficiency(POI) or failure (POF) occur before the age of 40 years.
    Statistics reveal that 1 in 100 women under 40, 1 in 1,000 under 30 and 1 in 10,000 under 20 experience POI. In the UK, 110,000 women aged between 12 and 40 years have been diagnosed with POI. For information and support, visit the Daisy Network website
    www.daisynetwork.org     .

  • Perimenopause 40 - 50

    This is the transition period leading up to menopause. Fluctuating hormonal levels. Begins in your 40s. Lasts 2 – 10 years.

    Most symptoms appear during these years due to fluctuating hormones. Women need to be aware of symptoms as too often perimenopause is misdiagnosed.

  • Menopause 50 - 55

    Menopause is a retrospective diagnosis

    Average age in Ireland and the UK is 51 years. Menopause is a retrospective diagnosis. A woman has reached menopause if she hasn’t had a period for 12 consecutive months if over 50 years and 24 consecutive months if under 50 years of age. Contraception is an important consideration until post menopause. As women transition through menopause, with support they can discover a new rhythm as emerging research points to midlife as a powerful period in a woman’s life filled with opportunities and second chances.

  • Post Menopause

    Beginning of menstrual-free lifestyle. Symptoms ease. Hormone levels stabilise. Begins in your 50s and lasts the rest of your life.

    Symptoms settle with many women finding a new zest for life, changing career or seeking promotion. Statistics show we have the greatest number of women today moving through their 50’s who are educated, economically independent, fit, healthy and better than any other time in history, with scientists pointing to their being one billion women experiencing menopause by 2025!

  • Menopause & Transgender

    A transgender person is a person who does not identify as the gender they were assigned at birth.

    For those assigned a female gender at birth who may eventually identify as male, it is important to become aware that if transition to male involves removal of the uterus and ovaries, immediate menopause ensues. If the uterus and ovaries remain, testosterone is still prescribed in high doses which decreases the production of oestrogen thus causing menopause symptoms. Education information and support is key. For information and support, visit the Transgender Equality Network Ireland website and NHS Transgender website

  • Menopause Leadership and Employment

    There was a very interesting academic paper published in 2019 titled “Killer whales Killer women” by an Australian academic.

    It refers to the scientific work carried out in recent years on whales and menopause. Whales, post menopause, naturally become the leaders in their pods, respected for their experience and wisdom. There is much emerging research on the role of the post-menopausal woman in the world today with empowerment and leadership as recurring themes. As the number of women experiencing menopause continues to increase and life expectancy continues to expand, a woman aged 50 today can expect to live for another 40 years. In reaching out and finding ways to access our inner wisdom, women can open up to new possibilities and thrive in the next chapter of their lives. Mary Portas, Kamala Harris, Melinda Gates, Michelle Obama are just some of the leaders in this cohort.

Menopause Awareness
Menopause Education is a new concept.We are the first generation to have public access to education and information.

Women age 50 today are only half way through life.

With education and the right support you have the power to become the CEO of your menopause years.

Midlife Women’s Mental Health is a subject that needs a lot more spotlighting.

Check out this webinar organised by the Women’s Mental Health Network on You tube  https://youtu.be/8t9yxZWudvA?si=lqUctI1qGXuCGVBd    to give you an insight into why we need to continue spotlighting midlife women’s health

 

Breeda was a contributor to the 8 day historical coverage on menopause on the RTE radio 1 Joe Duffy show

 

Breeda contributed to the Women’s Health Task Force on Menopause  at the Department of Health in 2020/21 and 2022

 

Some of the many podcasts Breeda has contributed to

All available across apple or iTunes stores

 

 

 

 

 

Most Common Symptoms

Our menopause journey impacts us mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually

It is important to become aware of the symptoms that can occur. No two women will have the same menopause journey so there is no one template that any doctor, healthcare provider, counsellor or coach can prescribe. You are an individual. Your menopause journey is unique. Seek out support and get a provider to work in collaboration with you. You have the power to own your menopause and control how you want to navigate this stage of life in order to thrive in your next chapter. Hover over any of the symptoms listed below for more information. If you would like to book a consultation in person or over zoom email breeda@midlifewomenrockproject.com

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Hot Flushes

Hot Flushes

Very common and can range from mild and occasional to severe and occurring hourly. Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) and lots of non-hormonal help is available, including Sage, black cohosh/Promensil, CBT, yoga and meditation. It’s about finding what works for you.
Loss of Libido

Loss of Libido

Often impacted by other symptoms of menopause. When we are not feeling our best, our libido levels drop. This is where radical self-care and reaching out for support is vital. It can change everything.
Night Sweats

Night Sweats

Very common, disrupts sleep patterns. The hormone melatonin impacts our sleep so getting support is vital. There are lots of management paths available. Reach out for support and see what works for you.
Sleep Disturbance

Sleep Disturbance

One of the top 3 issues I hear from women. Melatonin is the sleep hormone and is impacted at menopause. A poor night’s sleep is consequential and continuous poor sleep patterns can have dramatic consequences on our physical and mental health. Reach out for support. Both hormonal and non-hormonal pathways are available. Sleep hygiene needs to be prioritised, no phones in bedroom.
Irregular Periods

Irregular Periods

This can be one of the first indicators that you are entering perimenopause. A woman is at menopause when she has had 12 consecutive months period free if over 50 and 24 months if under 50 years. Check out the symptom checker and see if you have other symptoms.
Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal Dryness

Another very common condition. I can highly recommend a great book titled “My Menopausal Vagina”. It’s like an encyclopaedia for vaginas at midlife. Localised oestrogen or non-hormonal creams (e.g. YESS) and pessaries are available.

What women are saying

I would recommend the Midlife Women Rock Cafe because it's a reliable, well-researched source for information on Menopause matters, but more importantly, understands it from the Women's perspective as it's women talking to women. The on line cafes were great over covid.

Mary Career in Transition, Co Meath

I highly recommend this menopause course to any woman wanting to understand menopause and themselves. I personally found it brilliant. It gave me back my confidence in myself. I met a group of open-minded women. There is nowhere women can go to talk with other women about this time in our lives. I have learned not to let menopause define me. I always had thought of it negatively, would never have seen it as a time to open up to new possibilities and opportunities. Breeda covers everything you need to know over the weeks.

Anna S. Co Waterford

If you want to get to understand and learn everything you need to know about menopause, Sign up for the empowering women menopause course. This course was life-changing for me.

Niamh - RGN, Limerick

Before I met Breeda and started this course, I never had a serious conversation about menopause with anyone. I had very little knowledge about menopause. It is either an embarrassing or a comical subject for conversation. Attending the cafes and course has been life changing. I now know so much more about menopause and understand myself so much better. I have become more pro-active with my health and am looking forward to the next phase of my life. Every woman deserves this information.

Elaine- Waterford

Breeda has a great way of imparting information. I really enjoyed the 6-week in person programme and would highly recommend it to any woman who may be curious about what menopause is really all about.

Ger- Carer Waterford

Now that I have the knowledge, language and confidence to speak openly about menopause, it changes everything

Angie, Cork

This in person programme has helped me become more relaxed and empowered around menopause. I have a great GP and am taking HRT. It’s the information sharing with a group of like-minded women that is very powerful at this time of my life. The course was shared by Breeda in a fun and light-hearted way which reduces any stress or anxiety that one may have. I now have a better understanding of myself with lots of strategies to manage symptoms and would highly recommend this course.

Jennifer- Waterford

Breeda is a research-based intellectual talent on menopause and an engaging speaker. Starting conversations around a taboo subject is not easy, it takes a lot of courage.

Brenda M-Business Owner Dungarvan

I would highly recommend this menopause course. I received so much support from Breeda and the group. It gave me the confidence to move forward. I learned about the physical, mental and spiritual changes that occur during menopause and it all made so much sense. My relationship with myself has grown and I understand so much more now. I feel positive and very optimistic about the future.

Sinead