And finally, self-care is hugely important in the run up to and during menopause itself. “Women are known to put themselves at the bottom of their priority list”, says Brothers but by “pushing through on scraps of sleep and relying on caffeine and sugar for energy, we’re only exacerbating symptoms.”

We need to take this time to reassess what we need and how we can care for ourselves. And that might include making space for connecting with other women going through the same thing.

Stewart reports that “transitioning [as part of] a group was life changing”. It was so powerful, in fact, that it led her to develop an online community where women could access resources and support.

The wellness world is packed with toxic positivity, and the suggestion that women should suddenly rejoice in the face of night sweats and gut issues is for the birds. But it’s clear that mindset is super important during this period of life and that, with the right support, menopause can be an empowering transition – if we accept and embrace the change.

Is our obsession with ageing making menopause symptoms worse?