Being ahead of the changes that come before menopause is crucial

The years leading up to menopause can be anxiety-ridden, particularly if women are not aware of what to expect. Photo: 123rf.com

It began around the time she turned 47. All of a sudden, Layla Singam felt like her body was out of her control. She was exercising four times a week and eating sensibly – as she’d been doing for years – but she was gaining weight. Her waistline felt bloated and it felt like her skirts and pants were getting a bit more snug.

And then came the sudden bursts of heat from her body – usually it seemed like flashes of fire that started from her neck and crept upwards to her head or downwards to her chest – that would last a couple of minutes. This happened throughout the day and even at night. The hot flushes disturbed her sleep, leaving her tired all the time.