A mum of two living in Dublin has opened up about how menopause has taken a toll on her health as well as her sporting career.

Karey Coughlin Lewis says she began noticing symptoms of perimenopause “without knowing it” when she was in her late 40s.

She told RSVP Live: “I was segueing out of the hard grind of sports injury therapist and nutritionist into women’s health, just because of my physical fatigue.

Read more: Limerick mum says hormone replacement therapy has changed her life after menopause

“I was competing for Ireland in the national softball championships and I noticed how absolutely wrecked I was.

“Prior to that, between the stress of changing jobs and Covid, I didn’t realise I had entered into any sort of hormonal change. Even the bloods that were given weren’t conclusive, but I think I was going through perimenopause without even knowing it.”

As time went on, her symptoms got worse, and during a softball tournament she noticed she had a particularly bad reaction to an injury.

“I took a usual knock and my hand swelled up beyond the usual.

“That was on a Monday and the tournament was going on all week, so I just strapped it up.

“But afterwards the deformity of my other fingers started presenting itself with arthritis. The joint pain through my hips, knees really increased after the tournament.”

Karey Coughlin Lewis
Karey Coughlin Lewis

Karey, now aged 52, also began to suffer other symptoms such as burnout, and eventually another blood test confirmed that she was menopausal.

“I had a great conversation with my GP, Fiona Macken. It was kind of surreal because it was like a meeting of minds between a GP, a health professional and a patient. I wanted her to explain why testosterone wasn’t factored in for a woman who is active and going through menopause.

"I have a women's health clinic and I also noticed my patients coming in who were of a certain age category and also top athletes also starting to complain or be concerned about joint pain and fatigue.

“For an athlete to perform, we need a high level of testosterone. So if we’re losing it, why can’t we be prescribed it? She had no answer, because there are no studies. So that needs to be recognised.”

Karey, who is originally from Canada but now living in Sutton, said there’s no “silver bullet” when it comes to treating the symptoms of menopause.

“I still have unbelievable sleep disorder and daytime sweats and hot flushes and brain fog.

“The gynecologist works off ‘nutrition, physician, prescription’ and that is my ethos as well.

“There is a need for HRT but it’s just one healthy, informed measure and it’s not going to fix everything!”

Sharing her advice to other women her age, she said it’s important to remember your value even when you’re struggling with menopause symptoms.

“I have experienced ageism for sure, and it’s been quite a depressing challenge.

“I just have to remember that getting older brings incredible experience, knowledge, wisdom and reference.

“Don’t dispute that you are able to go out and create something amazing.

“If you are having a hard time with menopause symptoms, know that there is support out there, and there are options.”

Women's Menopause Health Day Event

October is Menopause Month, and Karey has organised a special event on Friday October 21 at Sutton Golf Club from 9.30am to 5.30am. The event will feature talks from prominent professionals in the field of hormone health as they share their expertise and research around menopause. Learn about mindfulness, movement techniques, HRT options, menopause-friendly foods, and more.

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