If you're going through perimenopause or menopause, you may have found yourself thinking, “What is happening to me?”

Perhaps you're more anxious than usual, struggling to sleep, feeling emotional, experiencing brain fog or simply not feeling like yourself.

And let's be honest — it can be a lot to deal with.

Perimenopause can begin several years before menopause, and everyone's experience is different. For some women, the physical symptoms can be difficult enough, but it's often the emotional changes that can feel the hardest.

You might feel overwhelmed, irritable, tearful, exhausted or less confident. You may even wonder whether you're “going mad”.

You're not.

I know this personally because I'm going through menopause myself. I'm Lisa, a counsellor at Leeds Counselling for Wellbeing, and although everyone's experience is different, I understand how challenging this stage of life can be.

How can counselling help?

Counselling can't change your hormones or stop the physical symptoms of menopause, but it can give you somewhere safe to talk about how you're feeling.

At Leeds Counselling for Wellbeing, I can offer you a warm, confidential space where you don't have to look after everyone else for a while.

We can talk about:

• Anxiety and feeling overwhelmed
• Low mood and tearfulness
• Loss of confidence
• Sleep and exhaustion
• Changes in relationships
• Body image and self-esteem
• Feeling like you've lost yourself
• Boundaries and putting yourself first
• The uncertainty of this new stage of life

Sometimes there isn't one particular thing that's wrong. It's just everything — work, family, relationships, poor sleep, changing hormones and all the pressures that life can bring.

Having someone to talk to can help you untangle some of those thoughts and feelings.

You don't have to go through it alone

Perimenopause and menopause can be a challenging time, but you don't have to simply put up with how you're feeling.

If you're in Leeds and finding this stage of life difficult emotionally, counselling can give you the opportunity to pause, talk and focus on you.

I'm Lisa, and at Leeds Counselling for Wellbeing, I'd be happy to provide a safe and supportive space where you can be heard without judgement.

You don't have to have all the answers.

You don't have to pretend you're fine.

Sometimes the first step is simply saying:

“I'm struggling, and I need someone to talk to.”

If you'd like to explore counselling in Leeds, please get in touch with Leeds Counselling for Wellbeing. I'd be very happy to have a chat.

Please note: counselling is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are concerned about symptoms associated with perimenopause or menopause, please speak with your GP or another suitably qualified healthcare professional.