At 53, Maria Mulgrew knew she was entering menopause. The symptoms seemed familiar: anxiety, exhaustion, and slightly elevated blood pressure. Yet, something didn’t quite fit.
“I felt anxious in crowds, exhausted, and my blood pressure was slightly raised, but there was something else,” Maria told BBC News NI. “I felt like I was on the cusp of something about to happen. I just knew there was something going on in my brain.”
Initially attributing her symptoms to menopause, Maria, who lives in Belfast, was determined to understand what was happening. “Everyone, including myself, suggested menopause, but I just couldn’t accept that was the reason I was feeling so poorly,” she said.
Seeking Answers Beyond Menopause
As her symptoms worsened, Maria attended menopause conferences, read books, and watched programs about women’s health, hoping to find answers. But after nearly a year of searching, she discovered that her symptoms weren’t menopause-related at all. In fact, she had suffered a stroke.
“I was clutching at straws,” Maria explained. “But my gut told me there was more to it.” She is now speaking out to encourage other women to question their diagnoses when things don’t feel right. “If you’re experiencing new symptoms, see your doctor. Don’t assume it’s just menopause. And don’t be the hero – ask for help, talk to your family, and seek support from your employer. It’s out there.”
The Symptoms That Didn’t Add Up
Maria’s journey began in January 2022 while she was training for a marathon. She started falling regularly, cutting and bruising her knees. Dizziness, involuntary eye movements, and balance issues followed—symptoms she knew were not normal.
“There were no major red flags since I was running regularly, wasn’t overweight, and ate healthily, but I knew something was wrong,” she said. Her doctor initially discussed starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but delayed treatment until further tests, including for vertigo, were completed.
A year later, during a holiday, Maria blacked out. This incident prompted more concern, especially since her symptoms mirrored those of her late father, who had died from a brain tumor. An MRI ruled out a tumor, but a neurologist diagnosed her with a small cerebellar stroke.
“Looking back, there were lots of tiny incidents. The most significant was after a Bruce Springsteen concert when I had a strange sensation on one side of my face,” Maria recalled. “It didn’t last, and I didn’t do anything about it—I should have.”
A Warning for Women: Don’t Settle for Assumptions
Maria’s case illustrates the importance of digging deeper when symptoms don’t improve with common treatments like HRT. Consultant gynecologist Dr. Charlie Beattie, who specialises in menopause, emphasises that women should seek further help when symptoms don’t improve.
“Brain fog is a common symptom of menopause, but when symptoms are vague or don’t respond to treatment, you have to ask if something else is going on,” Dr. Beattie explained. He highlighted that symptoms like forgetting simple tasks, such as how to button a blouse or start a car, are more concerning than the forgetfulness typically associated with menopause.
Maria’s persistence paid off, and though doctors cannot pinpoint exactly when her stroke occurred, her recovery has been aided by her physical fitness and active lifestyle. She’s now using her experience to urge other women not to ignore unusual symptoms or assume that everything is due to menopause.
World Menopause Day: A Call for Evidence-Based Treatment
Maria’s message comes ahead of World Menopause Day on October 18, which this year focuses on HRT and ensuring women have access to evidence-based treatments. “Like most women my age, I was familiar with the symptoms of menopause,” Maria said. “But it’s important not to assume that all symptoms are hormone-related.”
As a member of the 51% of the population who will experience menopause, Maria was fortunate to have support from her employer, who had a menopause policy in place. She hopes other women will seek the support they need—whether through workplace policies, family, or medical professionals—and not hesitate to question diagnoses that don’t feel right.
Her advice to other women? “Don’t assume everything is menopause. Trust your instincts, and push for answers.”
Maria’s story serves as an important reminder that while menopause is a natural phase of life, not every symptom that emerges at midlife is related to it. Sometimes, something else is happening—and it’s essential to keep asking questions until the right answers are found.
Note: Originally published by https://www.bbc.co.uk/
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