06/04/2026
What a lovely day at the Salisbury Transition City event today.
I chatted to so many interesting people and had some really meaningful conversations.
My very first conversation of the day was a little unexpected. A gentleman came over and asked if I knew much about how hormones affect men as well as women. As an Andropause Champion (and former nurse), I was able to spend some time listening and talking through some of the struggles he’d been experiencing.
He was so appreciative that later in the day he popped back with this beautiful bunch of roses 🌹
Such a thoughtful gesture — it absolutely made my day.
What really struck me though was how many men stopped to talk. They were curious, thoughtful and genuinely interested in understanding how menopause can impact a woman’s career, relationships and overall wellbeing.
Several said something along the lines of “we can’t just ignore this anymore.”
Men were thinking about their partners, daughters and colleagues, and reflecting on how their own mothers may have gone through menopause at a time when the expectation was simply to tough it out.
I also had some really important conversations with women who shared that although they were on HRT, they still weren’t getting adequate symptom relief. Several described feeling frustrated that their GP felt they had reached the end of the road in terms of what they could offer — leaving them feeling a bit lost and unsure where to turn next… or wondering if they just had to accept that this is how they feel now.
It was really good to be able to talk through this with them and share some of the ways I support women — whether that’s through GP preparation calls, my support groups, or coaching, which looks at lifestyle approaches that can sit alongside HRT, or support women who choose not to use it.
I also had women asking whether I run advice sessions for men. I have hosted these before and it’s something I’d love to do again — especially as the conversation becomes more open and less taboo.
Days like today remind me why I care so much about this work.
Because when people start talking and listening to each other, real understanding begins.
What’s one conversation about menopause that has stayed with you?