Navigating The Menopause Maze

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Navigating The Menopause Maze

Support for the Menopause Journey
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1335137930767319

I’m Lucie and I grew up in beautiful rural Kent and now live by the Kentish coast with my partner Karl and one inherited dwarf hamster Dala. My son Tom is studying Chemistry at Uni, I’m a cat and dog lover, an ever-long Foo Fighters fan, and have Keith Flint in my downstairs loo! A self-confessed personal development devotee, I love being out in the fresh air in the garden, taking a walk by the se

a, and exploring places on holidays around the world. I graduated in Psychology and Human Biology in 1994 and have worked in the Healthcare sector for over 25 years. I have a CPD accreditation in 'The Menopause Journey: Embracing the Transition with Confidence'

It's been a year since I created Navigating The Menopause Maze page to provide a space for sharing information and support for anyone at any stage of Menopause. Menopause can be a scary and confusing rollercoaster of hormonal changes which in turn can bring about many physical changes, have a huge impact on your emotional and mental wellbeing, and turn your life upside down. We are at a point where although the conversation around Menopause is getting louder and support from GPs and health professionals is getting better, there is still a long way to go. Has your confidence hit rock bottom or has your anxiety been through the roof, like mine did nearly three years ago? Do you want to be part of a wonderful community of other marvellous Meno Warriors? Then come and join us in the fabulous Navigating the Menopause Maze Facebook group if you would like to be part of our community.

09/06/2026

Bit of a moody sky out there today!

Sharing a couple of photos of the Holy Trinity Church in Sheerness from last night, taken as I wandered my way to the Menopause Meet & Mingle Group. The lighting was absolutely beautiful.

We had such a brilliant meeting - 11 wonderful Meno Warriors coming together to chat, listen, support and learn from one another.

Every time we meet, I’m reminded just how varied people’s menopause experiences are:

Different health care experiences - The level of knowledge and support varies so much between providers. Hearing that someone was told “patches cause cancer” when they were already struggling with HRT is deeply concerning. There are risks with many things in life, but people deserve balanced, evidence based information so they can make informed decisions about their care, not fear‑based messaging.

Lack of clear guidance - Many are prescribed HRT without proper explanation of how to take it or what to expect. Someone said last night that when we’re pregnant, we get midwives and structured prenatal care… yet nothing similar exists for menopause, even though this transition can last for years. There is a real gap in support.

Different responses to HRT - For some, it works quickly and is great. For others like myself, it takes multiple attempts to find the right type, brand or dosage. And even when things have been stable for years, our bodies can change and new symptoms, like unexpected bleeding, can appear.

Impact on wellbeing - HRT can be life changing, but symptoms like heavy bleeding or low mood can have a huge impact on daily life.

Heavy bleeding is never something to ignore, and any bleeding after menopause should always be checked. If you ever experience unusual symptoms, please speak with your GP or a qualified healthcare professional.

And lastly (though this is far from an exhaustive list), so many women tell me that by coming to the group they realise they’re not “losing the plot”. This is a normal transition. They’re not alone. And there is support out there.

For details of our next meeting, please see the poster below. We’d love to welcome new members 🩷🩷🩷

02/06/2026

🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕

Understanding Cravings - What mine was telling me today!

Cravings aren’t weakness, they’re messages. Our bodies are constantly communicating with us through how we feel and what we want to eat, and when you learn to listen, everything gets easier.

Today my body asked for pizza. Not randomly. Not emotionally. But physically. Here’s what that craving actually meant:

I needed quick energy,

Carbs to refuel properly.

I needed salt, a sign of depletion or low hydration.

I needed fat for grounding, to stabilise my nervous system.

I needed satisfaction, not restriction, something warm, savoury, comforting.

Instead of ignoring the craving or spiralling into a “should I / shouldn’t I” debate with myself, I made a fakeaway pizza toast that hit every thing I needed, without leaving me feeling sluggish or guilty.

And the best part was that I realised I was thirsty too, so I hydrated and actually met all the needs behind the original craving.

This is what it looks like to build trust with your body:

Listening.

Responding.

Nourishing.

No drama.

Working on my nervous system for the past six months has been a real education. I’m listening to my body more and more, and as someone who has battled with my weight all my life, I’m finally discovering that my body is beginning to make better choices to nourish me, rather than push me into old patterns of restriction or rebellion.

This isn’t willpower, it’s regulation. It’s trust. And it’s the first time I’ve ever felt like my body and I are actually on the same page

🩷🩷🩷

28/05/2026

🌼 A Year Can Change Everything 🌼

A year ago I thought I was doing fine, but looking back I can see how tired, mentally stretched and emotionally overloaded I really was.

I can now see that I was constantly adjusting myself to fit other people’s needs and demands, even when it meant contorting and shrinking myself to fit because I was a classic people pleaser!

Menopause symptoms were crushing some days, especially tiredness, which didn't help.

Over the past six months I have been working deeply on nervous system regulation. I have put clearer boundaries in place at work and in my personal life, and if I feel the energy might be draining, I simply do not put myself in that situation anymore.

What has surprised me most is how much this has helped my menopause symptoms. When cortisol and insulin settle, everything feels easier: sleep, mood, appetite and even the way my body holds weight. I have found myself making healthier food choices naturally, without forcing anything, which has been a revelation.

I am genuinely happy in my own company and equally at ease spending time with people whose company I enjoy, because I am no longer abandoning myself in either direction.

The difference shows on my face. I look softer, fuller and more relaxed now. Not because life is perfect or that I am suddenly a size 12, but because my system finally feels safe.

🩷 I am not bracing anymore.

🩷 I am not over functioning.

🩷 I am not carrying what is not mine.

Healing did not make me smaller. It made me steadier.

One of the most powerful words in the English language is NO.

It's a complete sentence, you don't need to justify your reasons for not doing something, that's your business and the way people react to that two letter word, is theirs to own!

This is what regulation looks like: a face that is not holding tension, a body that is not in survival mode and a life that finally feels like my own.

Life has definitely changed this year and will change more once the house is sold and I find my dream cottage in Northumberland (a place that matches my nervous system).

It might not be what the original plan was, but plans change and I for one am embracing it!!!

First photo: April last year.

Second photo: Today.

Third photo: Last night out walking, feeling grounded and free.

20/05/2026

Celebrating my 3rd year on Facebook. Thank you for your continuing support. I could never have made it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

19/04/2026

🌞 Sunny Sunday Check In!

Hello beautiful people, and happy Sunday.

How are you feeling today; full of the joys of Spring, energetic, calm, tired, sad, happy, or somewhere in between?

I’m pottering and catching up with a few chores this morning. Definitely a drying the sheets outside kind of day.

It would be wonderful to hear in ONE WORD what your Sunday has in store for you 🩷🩷🩷

17/04/2026

Happy Friday! It's about blinking time!!

What are your thoughts and experiences of this? 🩷🩷🩷

🌸 The Independent has reported that Health Secretary Wes Streeting says the NHS is “failing women” and has announced a major set of reforms aimed at ending what MPs recently called “medical misogyny.”

⭐ Key points from the article

1. Ending the gaslighting of women in healthcare
The strategy focuses on stopping women being dismissed, disbelieved or left without proper pain relief during invasive procedures such as:
- coil fittings
- hysteroscopies

A new standard of care will ensure women are offered pain relief as routine.

2. Women’s feedback will affect NHS funding
A new trial will link women’s reported experiences to provider payments — essentially giving women more power to challenge poor care.

3. Faster diagnosis for women’s health conditions
The government says it will tackle long waits for conditions like:
- endometriosis (currently averaging 9+ years to diagnose)
- fibroids
- heavy menstrual bleeding
- menopause-related symptoms

Clinical pathways for these areas will be redesigned to speed up diagnosis and treatment.

4. Better menstrual and reproductive health support
Plans include:
- a £1m menstrual education programme so girls learn what healthy vs unhealthy periods look like
- improved access to contraception and abortion care
- a review of support for families experiencing repeated baby loss
- a single referral point so women aren’t bounced between services

5. Blending local and online services
The aim is to reduce waiting lists and stop women waiting years for help by combining in‑person and digital support.

⭐ Why this matters for women in midlife
The article highlights that symptoms like:
- menstrual pain
- irregular periods
- hot flushes
- brain fog
are still too often dismissed. NHS leaders quoted in the piece say the renewed strategy is meant to ensure women are heard, taken seriously, and given specialist care sooner.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/womens-health-nhs-reform-endometriosis-periods-b2957442.html

05/04/2026

🌷 Happy Easter, beautiful Meno Warriors 🐣🐰🌷

I hope today brings you a little rest, a little joy, and maybe even a little chocolate. You deserve all of it.

As we hop into April, I’m already looking forward to our next Menopause Meet & Mingle on Monday 13th April, and we’ve got something really special lined up.

We’ll be joined by Martin Goatham from Sole Harmony Reflexology, along with his lovely wife Frances, who will be giving us a gentle introduction to how reflexology can support menopause symptoms, plus some short taster sessions for anyone who wants to try it.

I had the chance to experience a session myself last weekend (because I’ll never recommend something I haven’t tried), and I can honestly say it was deeply calming and grounding. If you’re someone who doesn’t mind your feet being touched, it’s absolutely worth exploring. 🩷

Here are the links if you’d like to take a peek before the session:
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FN5ZwpEk7/?mibextid=wwXIfr
🔗 Website: https://reflexologysoleharmony.co.uk/

There are limited spaces for the taster sessions so let me know if you would like to go on the list as it's on a first come first served basis / and I will send you a form to complete beforehand.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon, and to another evening of connection, support, and sharing experiences and wise women wisdom.

Love,
Lucie 🩷🩷🩷

23/02/2026

Good morning Marvellous Meno Warriors!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

I spent most of Saturday in bed feeling like poo, but was listening to what my body needed - REST.

This morning it wanted this! Slice of wholemeal toast, cottage cheese, sliced banana, sprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey 🍯 So tasty 😋

Already spilt it on my top and the floor! 🤣

What's your breakfast of choice? 🩷🩷🩷

07/02/2026

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Maidstone
Kent

Website

https://navigatingthemenopausemaze.co.uk/

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