and me Menopause

Gail, 55, has idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and has been living with menopause symptoms for around three years.

“I am classed a perimenopausal as I still have a monthly cycle. My symptoms include night sweats, hot flushes, disturbed sleep, dry vagina, bladder weakness and a low sex drive. I also get very moody and snappy, which is an increase from my normal PMT [pre-menstrual tension].

These symptoms have affected my relationship with my husband, and this became more apparent during the pandemic as we were together 24/7.

I decided to speak with my PH team, and they supported me to talk through my options with my GP. He was happy to get me started on treatment after the meds were approved by my PH team.

We opted for a pessary to help with the bladder weakness and dryness, and that has helped significantly. I was also prescribed a low dose antidepressant, which works by increasing the levels of serotonin (mood enhancing chemicals) in my brain. My GP advised that it has been successfully used to reduce the psychological lows and moodiness linked with perimenopasue and menopause, and it has worked for me.

I am pleased with the results so far but have decided now to try HRT to reduce the symptoms further (night sweats, itchy skin, restless sleep, mood swings and so on.) I start two HRT medications this month; all have been approved by my PH team and I will have my blood pressure monitored monthly by my GP.

It’s hard to say whether the perimenopause itself has negatively impacted my PH symptoms as some of the symptoms, especially the fatigue, are the same for both.

I know some women sail through the menopause. The trouble for me was because I have IPAH and am on IV therapy, the added symptoms from the perimenopause were pushing me into a place where I could not be my normal positive and proactive self. It was pulling me down and it was becoming too much, so reaching out to my GP has meant I have had the medical help I needed. I am feeling much more positive about the whole thing now.

I feel this subject is very important and not taken seriously. Many women do nothing about it when they suffer for many months and years.”