It all began when I realised that my memory was becoming a problem, both at work and at home. Simple words that used to come effortlessly suddenly required extra effort to find. It’s like grasping for something that should be there but isn’t. Usually if I stopped trying, the word came eventually. At first, I chalked it up to the demands of a busy life, juggling work, and family commitments. Like many of us, I didn't have the time or inclination to worry about my own health concerns.

One day, I decided to confide in some colleagues my age and was surprised to discover that I wasn’t alone. They too had experienced memory issues, mood swings, and a general sense of bleurgh. What struck me was that they all wished they had started HRT earlier. (Age 44)

I know this job is hard, but it never used to be this hard! I just can’t focus and multi-task how I used to. I am struggling when in busy areas of the ED and multiple people telling me about numerous patients—how did I ever retain all of this information and manage so much more easily?…I go home and stand in the shower and worry about the decisions I made in the ED today. Did I give the right advice? Did I even go and see that patient I was asked about? Am I going to be hauled up in front of the GMC?…In meetings I sit and realise I have not absorbed anything that was said or discussed despite being really interested.

I eventually watched ‘the Davina programme’1 and it was super informative. It was a wake-up call—I was only 46 but actually I had peri-menopausal symptoms that were affecting many aspects of my life and I could do something about …