Menopause Self Diagnosis: Navigating Awareness & Health Risks

Menopause Self Diagnosis

I read a story today in The Daily Mirror about a woman who mistook vaginal bleeding for menopause for nearly a year. She assumed it was a natural symptom of this life stage—until a swollen stomach prompted her to visit the GP. Tragically, it turned out to be advanced uterine cancer.

Her story is heartbreaking, and sadly, not unique. It made me think about the responsibility we have when discussing menopause and the dangers of menopause self diagnosis.

We're fortunate to be living in a time when menopause is openly discussed. Women now have unprecedented access to information, from expert-led articles to online forums. This shift empowers us, helping to break down taboos that left generations of women feeling isolated.

But as we become more informed, are we inadvertently opening the door for self-diagnosis?

We're fortunate to have conversations about menopause in mainstream spaces, but we must tread carefully. Consider Lauren Jolly, who at 39 initially believed persistent back pain and irregular bleeding were due to stress or hormonal fluctuations. Later, tests revealed cervical cancer.

Similarly, Kristi Nurse, aged 46, experienced symptoms initially dismissed by herself and doctors as menopause-related. Further investigation tragically uncovered advanced cancer beneath her uterus, already significantly progressed.

These stories aren't shared to cause fear but to underline a crucial message: menopause symptoms can overlap significantly with other, more serious health conditions. The risk arises when symptoms are attributed solely to hormonal changes without professional confirmation.