From entering a beauty pageant to a soaring libido, these women say the menopause has improved their lives

WITH hot flushes, loss of libido and mood swings, many women dread menopause.

This week, Kathy Burke, 55, who currently hosts All Woman on Channel 4, told how she felt isolated during the menopause and hated even being a woman.

Meanwhile a fertility clinic in Birmingham claims women may be able to delay it by 20 years, thanks to pione

ering surgery that could halt the process of hormonal change.

But surely the menopause cannot all be bad, can it?

Newsreader Louise Minchin, 50, has told how, despite hot flushes, she feels better and stronger than she did in her 20s – and Loose Women star Andrea McLean, 49, did her first 10k run after she’d started the menopause.

Here, three women tell Nikki Watkins how “the change” has altered them for the better.

Sue, 51, says her libido has soared

Sue Brewer, of Luton, Beds, saw her libido rocket.

The administrator, who lives with her leisure firm boss husband Lester, 53, and children Claire, 23, and James, 19, says:

"Although I no longer have the body I had as a 20-year-old, I do have far more sexual confidence.

"Before my menopause, I assumed it would all be night sweats, hot flushes and middle-aged spread.

"But for the past two years since going through the change and taking HRT, I feel as good as I did when I was a much younger woman.

"I did have some joint pain and brain fog in the beginning, but my sex drive is higher than it has been for many, many years. We’ve gone from having sex once a week to four times a week.

My sex drive is higher than it has been for many, many years

Sue, 51

"I’m far more secure in myself and very content in my marriage. I know what I like and am not ashamed to say it.

"My husband and I are very affectionate with each other and people even tease us and tell us to get a room.

"I think the new surgery to delay menopause is wrong. People need to accept that it’s a natural process and that there are things that can be done to help you through it if you are finding it difficult.

"The menopause encouraged me to make changes such as losing weight, adjusting my diet and taking vitamin supplements. I feel lucky this time of my life is such a lovely one – it’s been a welcome surprise.

Shany, 50, entered a beauty pageant

After going through the menopause, single mum and part-time TV extra Shany Hagan, from York, felt so confident that she started entering beauty pageants.

Shany says:

"Going through the menopause three years ago made me realise I was getting older – but also that I had to grab any opportunity.

";So, in 2018, I entered an online global pageant called Face of the World.

"Despite being hesitant, because I was old enough to be the other contestants’ mothers, I thought: ‘What have I got to lose?’ I ended up loving it – and couldn’t believe it when I was placed as a finalist.

"I went on to enter the Galaxy UK pageant and loved wearing glitzy dresses and strutting down the catwalk.

Thanks to the menopause I’m embracing my age and body

Shany, 50

"As long as you are fit, healthy and look good for your age, it doesn’t matter what age you are.

"I am proud of what I have achieved and will be entering more pageants. I would like to win at least one, just to prove that the menopause can be ­glamorous.

"Going through it has been the best time of my life. I’d tell any woman who is thinking of delaying it to think again.

"I have not always been that confident and spent years shying away from social situations as a teenager. Thanks to the menopause I’m embracing my age and body."

Linda, 51, lost five stone and reversed diabetes risk

Communications firm boss Linda Aitchison of Walsall, West Mids, lost 5st during menopause.

The widowed mum of 20-year-old twins Melissa and Emily, says:

"In February this year I had some medical check-ups and was told I was menopausal.

"I also learned my type 2 diabetes was worse than ever. I had ballooned in size when I lost my husband seven years ago.

"I was grieving, parenting twins, running the household and juggling my career. My weight was the last thing on my mind and I wasn’t a sporty person.

"But spurred on by the menopause, I started resistance-training, swimming most days and walking. I started to shed weight in March and, in just over four months, I’ve lost almost 5st.

The menopause brings opportunities to live our best life

Linda, 51

"I now weigh 9st 5lb and can wear a size 12. At my last check-up, the nurse said I’m out of the diabetic range. I feel like a new woman.

"Some say menopausal weight gain is common but my secret is low-carb recipes.

"I’ve been very lucky with symptoms. I’ve had hot flushes and bouts of brain fog but, whenever I got one of these symptoms, I just took it as an opportunity to relax, get more sleep and go out in the fresh air.

"Who wants to mess with Mother Nature by stopping a natural part of life, the menopause, out of fear of growing older? The menopause brings opportunities to live our best life."

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