Embracing Change: My Journey Through Early Menopause at 43

When I had a hysterectomy in 2017, I thought I understood what it meant for my body. I’d come to terms with that decision and believed the road ahead was clear. But as life often does, it surprised me. Now, at 43 years old, I find myself navigating early menopause—a journey I didn’t expect to face so soon.

Menopause feels like an uninvited guest that changes everything. The hot flashes, mood swings, sleepless nights, and the stubborn weight that refuses to budge—it’s a cocktail of challenges that tests your patience and your confidence. For a while, I felt like my body was no longer my own, like it was betraying me.

But as much as early menopause has pushed me, it’s also invited me to lean into a deeper sense of self-care. I decided that I didn’t want to rely on synthetic treatments. Instead, I turned to natural remedies, and that’s when I discovered Lisa Cunningham and her herb shop in Perryopolis. Lisa has been nothing short of life-changing. She’s guided me toward supplements and natural treatments that have made a real difference. Slowly but surely, I’ve found a rhythm. The hot flashes are less intense, my energy feels more stable, and my mood is starting to even out.

That doesn’t mean it’s all smooth sailing. One of my biggest struggles is weight loss. I’ve cleaned up my diet so much that it’s practically sparkling, but progress is still slow. And then there’s the insomnia—that one seems to have dug its heels in no matter what I try. But I’m hopeful that it, too, will ease with time. Some nights are better than others, and I hold onto those little victories.

What’s surprised me the most about this journey is how much it’s teaching me about acceptance and I do believe that assists me even more with my job. I’ve always been a perfectionist, someone who sets high expectations for herself. But menopause has forced me to slow down, to listen, and to be okay with where I am—even when it’s hard.

This season of life is about rediscovering myself. It’s about finding joy in small victories, like feeling balanced after a particularly rough week or noticing that my energy doesn’t dip as much in the afternoons. It’s about leaning into the support of people like Lisa, who has been a true partner in helping me navigate this naturally, and my family and friends, who remind me that I’m not walking this road alone.

I’m learning to see these changes not as losses, but as an evolution of who I am. My body may be changing, but so am I—and there’s beauty in that.

If you’re on a similar journey, I want you to know that you’re not alone. Menopause doesn’t define us; it shapes us in new and unexpected ways. Together, we can navigate this chapter with grace, strength, and a little bit of stubborn determination.

Here’s to embracing the changes, one day at a time.

XOXOXO,

Tiffany