The hidden struggle
For most people, the word "menopause" brings to mind a specific phase later in life. But for Sally Williams, the real "danger zone" was the years leading up to it—a period known as perimenopause. Williams recently shared her harrowing story of how, for three years, her life completely spiraled as she struggled with symptoms that doctors repeatedly mislabeled as depression.
During this time, she faced severe mental health battles, spending 11 months in the hospital across eight separate admissions. The impact was devastating: she was forced to leave her finance career, became isolated, and eventually had to separate from her teenage son, who moved in with his father because she was unable to care for him.
Joining the dots
"No one joined the dots," Williams said. "It was only me... I joined the dots and it was transformational to start hormone replacement therapy and literally come back to life."
Perimenopause, which usually hits around age 46, involves a major shift in hormones while a person is still having periods. Symptoms like extreme anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, and hot flushes can be incredibly intense. Williams, who eventually self-diagnosed, noted that she was "unrecognisable" before starting HRT, which works by topping up and stabilizing estrogen levels.
Why it matters
Williams is now an advocate for raising awareness, emphasizing that this isn't just a "women’s issue." She believes sons, partners, and friends all need to be part of the conversation to prevent the kind of broken relationships she experienced. She will be speaking about her journey at Meno Fest at the Worcester Rugby Club on October 7.
Real talk: if you're feeling like your mental health is off and you're in the 45-to-54 age bracket, it’s highkey important to look into the symptoms of perimenopause. It’s giving vital awareness, and honestly, understanding your own body is the ultimate main character energy. If you're struggling, remember that support is available—you don't have to navigate this alone.
