October is World Menopause Awareness Month - and for Farmstrong Scotland, menopause has been one of the most significant conversations of the past year.
When Farmstrong launched its menopause campaign in 2025, the response was immediate, emotional and far-reaching. Women across Scotland’s farming and crofting community recognised themselves in the resources, shared them with others and, for many, took that first step towards seeking help.
One year on, menopause specialist Dr Heather Currie reflects on the campaign's impact, while Kerry Hammond and Harriet Donald share how it encouraged more open conversations, greater awareness and ultimately, gave them the confidence they needed to seek support.
From Dr Heather Currie MBE, menopause specialist and Farmstrong wellbeing expert
For some time, I had wondered whether a campaign raising awareness about the possible effects of menopause was needed for women in farming - a community very close to my heart. I questioned whether there was now enough awareness, whether women from all backgrounds had enough information to make informed choices. When I looked more closely, it became clear that many women were still unaware of what was happening to them, what could help and where to turn - and that women working in such demanding physical and often isolating circumstances may find that menopause becomes the final straw.
The response to the Farmstrong campaign - in terms of the personal stories shared, the resources accessed and the national and international recognition received - confirmed that need without a doubt.
Kerry’s story
I don’t fit the typical profile of a menopausal woman. I’ve actually been through menopause three times in my life - each time medically induced as part of treatment, meaning I was suddenly plunged into and back out of menopause and its symptoms repeatedly.
I’ve spent the last decade working in agriculture. While I’ve been fortunate to work alongside kind and supportive colleagues and clients, I never felt comfortable talking about how much I was struggling. Part of that was the fear of being told I was too young. Part of it was the feeling - real or perceived - that in this industry, you simply don’t talk about women’s issues. Trying to explain that I was going through menopause for the third time in ten years felt so complicated that it was easier to stay silent.
When I saw the Farmstrong menopause campaign, I felt an immediate and immense sense of relief. The symptoms I had repeatedly been thrown into overnight were finally being talked about openly and in a way I could relate to. More importantly, the conversation was happening across the whole industry, not just among women, and nobody was being told to keep quiet.
For the first time, I felt safe enough to tell colleagues that I was struggling. It gave me the confidence, at an on-farm event, to explain to a farmer that I needed to step outside the barn because I was having a severe hot flush.
Thank you, Farmstrong. You’ve helped me do more than just talk about it. You’ve helped me laugh about some of the tougher moments, seek support when I need it and - most importantly - keep checking in on my own wellbeing instead of hiding what I’m going through.
Harriet’s story
I had my second daughter in late 2021 and went to my GP in 2023 experiencing night sweats. I was 38, so although we discussed menopause and ran blood tests, we thought it was more likely my hormones settling after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
By 2025 things had changed. I remember telling two friends that I was feeling particularly low and struggling to look forward to things. My concentration was poor and I just didn’t feel like myself.
Around that time, Farmstrong shared its menopause resources. I remember clicking on the leaflet showing different symptoms around the outline of a body and thinking - I tick a lot of those. It planted a seed that perhaps all these seemingly separate things were actually connected.
Life carried on, as it does. But by November things had reached the point where I knew I needed to do something. I had become incredibly irritable and sensitive to noise - there were times I struggled simply to be in the same room as my husband, our two young children and our puppy because the noise felt overwhelming. Alongside that I was managing a senior four-day-a-week role, two young children and helping run three farming enterprises.
I went back to my GP in December and saw a brilliant female doctor who listened to the symptoms rather than relying solely on blood results. We agreed to trial HRT.
Within a week, the difference was remarkable. I remember suddenly being able to cope with everyone being in the kitchen again. More poignantly, I remember driving my youngest daughter to nursery and hearing myself properly laugh at something she said - and noticing the laugh, because I realised I hadn’t done that for a while.
HRT won’t be right for everyone, but for me, seeking help has genuinely been a lifeline. I now train three mornings a week, run once a week and recently completed my first 10K trail event. But the biggest difference isn’t the gym or the running - it’s that my motivation has returned. I can enjoy being with my family. My mood and focus have improved. I am finding joy in life again.
The Farmstrong resource didn’t give me a diagnosis. But it helped me recognise myself in those symptoms and planted the seed that eventually prompted me to seek help. I’m incredibly grateful that it did.
Menopause myths still worth addressing from Dr Heather Currie
From the beginning, the aim was clear: to provide honest, non-sensationalist information about a normal process that affects every woman differently; to help women recognise what was happening and feel confident seeking help; and to open up conversations at home and beyond, reducing fear and building mutual understanding.
From the feedback received - including deeply personal stories about the difference this has made - it is clear those aims have been achieved. I am aware of more women starting conversations that simply would not have taken place before, and of more men opening up menopause discussions in both farming and social settings.
The resources provided by Farmstrong are based on accurate information following national and international guidelines. Women are being supported to make genuinely informed decisions.
Farming places extraordinary demands on women - long hours, physical work, family responsibilities, often in a male-dominated environment that until recently may not have understood the additional challenges menopause can bring. I sincerely hope the Farmstrong campaign has and will continue to facilitate the supportive, life-changing conversations that deserve to become the norm.
Menopause conversations have increased hugely in recent years, but with that has come a great deal of misinformation - often spread widely on social media and backed by commercial interests. Some of the most common myths worth addressing:
- “Menopause is a nightmare for every woman” - it affects everyone differently, and many women move through it with relatively little disruption
- “All women should take HRT” - HRT is an important option for many, but the right approach is different for every woman
- “HRT is the magic answer” - it helps many people enormously, but it works best as part of a broader approach to health and lifestyle
- “All women should also demand testosterone” - again, individual assessment matters
- “This supplement or herbal remedy will reduce symptoms” - be cautious of products making bold claims without evidence
One area that remains under-reported and under-treated is the effect of menopause on the vagina and bladder - symptoms including dryness, discomfort and bladder urgency that can seriously affect quality of life, confidence and relationships. If left untreated, these symptoms only worsen.
The stigma around the word menopause has largely gone. Now it's time to have the harder conversations too. These stories show the power of talking openly, so why not share this with someone and continue the conversation? Find all the menopause resources below.
