A woman who initially believed she was suffering from early onset dementia and subsequently quit her job, discovered that her symptoms were actually caused by menopause. Lauren Chiren, a 55-year-old from Bristol, experienced challenging days in her 40s while working as a senior executive in financial services. She now works as a menopause trainer and has helped over 19,000 women and men gain a better understanding of menopause.

Heather, 52, shared that she learned a lot from Chiren’s class, having suffered from severe symptoms for the past nine years. Heather emphasized the importance of understanding and support for women going through menopause, expressing that it would make a significant difference in their experiences.

Chiren revealed that she left her job under the impression that she was experiencing early onset dementia, feeling isolated and scared during her time at work. After multiple visits to the doctor, she was relieved to discover that she was actually going through early menopause. This revelation inspired her to establish ‘Women of a Certain Stage’ and offer free menopause courses, with over 19,000 participants in the last year alone.

Heather, who recently completed the course, also had to leave her job due to menopause symptoms impacting her ability to perform her role as a mediation specialist. She stressed the importance of sharing knowledge and information among women, expressing her excitement for the future after taking the class.

Chiren highlighted the lack of understanding about menopause as a significant factor leading to women in the age group of 45 to 55 quitting their jobs, experiencing divorces, and even facing a higher rate of suicide. She emphasized the need for better support and awareness during this stage of life, referring to menopause as an incredible opportunity for personal growth and development.