Hi, I’m Sheree and I am 24 years old. I am an Early Menopause Campaigner, raising awareness of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), a condition often misunderstood and isolating. By sharing my personal story, I provide support and community for other facing similar struggles.
With a master’s degree in Gender, Society and Representation from University College London, I have a deep understanding of the societal and cultural frameworks that shape perceptions of health and gender.
- Researchers have found that 9.1% of men have eczema while 11.1% of women have the condition
- 47% of women who have eczema report their symptoms getting worse before their periods
- As women get older oestrogen levels decline, which results in changes in the skin, making individuals more prone to eczema
I’ve had eczema for as long as I can remember. My earliest memories are of itchy patches on my arms and legs, constant scratching, and the mittens I wore to stop myself making it worse. I’d go to the doctors constantly, given lotions, creams, and sometimes steroids, but nothing seemed to fully work. It was always there, waiting to flare up at the worst possible moment.
My earliest memories are of itchy patches on my arms and legs, constant scratching, and the mittens I wore to stop myself making it worse
When I was just 15, I was diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). I had no idea what that even meant at the time. To put it simply, my ovaries had stopped working properly, and I was thrown into an extremely early menopause. Although my body felt ‘normal’ as this was all I had known, in hindsight, the symptoms hit me hard. Hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue, and most of all, a worsening of my eczema. I had always had it, but now it felt like someone had pressed the accelerator.
I was prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to manage the symptoms of menopause, and while it helped, it felt like a constant balancing act. One day, I’d feel fine, and the next I’d be covered in dry, red, and itchy patches of eczema that seemed to pop up out of nowhere. I soon realised that the two were connected. When I accidently missed my HRT or would change my medication regime, my skin would react almost instantly.
It wasn’t just the physical pain and annoyance of itching; it was affecting my mental health and self-esteem. It felt like my eczema would flare up during the moments when I was feeling most vulnerable, reminding me that my body was not functioning the way I thought it should.
The more I learned about eczema and its connection to hormonal fluctuations, the clearer my understanding of my body became. My eczema was more than just a skin condition – it was a signal or reminder that my hormones were in flux, and my skin was reacting to it.
Sometimes, it felt like I was trapped in a never-ending cycle, I’d apply the creams and lotions, take my medications and HRT, but there were times when nothing seemed to help. I’d wake up with red, swollen eyes and cracks in my skin that stung with every blink. It was hard to feel good about myself, especially combined with the emotional toll of premature menopause.
When I accidently missed my HRT or would change my medication regime, my skin would react almost instantly
However, overtime, I have learned to accept that my journey with eczema and POI are parts of who I am. There are good days, and there are bad days. Some days, I can see myself beyond the struggles of menopause and eczema, and other days where I feel exhausted from the constant care my body requires. Both are okay!
It isn’t easy to talk about, but it’s important. If my story can help someone, then I know it’s worth sharing. The more we talk about it, the more we can support one another. I’m still learning to take care of myself, embrace my imperfections, and keep moving forward with the knowledge that I am doing the best I can. And sometimes, that’s all we can really do!
You can find Sheree on Instagram as @lifeofpoi_.