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Maureen Anderson

@mamm20_20

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MAMM a sister ⭕️ supporting those with menopausal symptoms, finding solutions n solace through MAMM Learning and The Black Menopause Collective💜

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#worldmenopauseday This years theme is Chronic Pain at Midlife and like many people from the start of the menopause journey different symptoms were presented that niggled.

Here’s my story of Chronic Pain - perimenopause started without realising, without having the language but experiencing symptoms that were most unusual to me … back spasms felt like I was being torn a part on a rack, pain in my pelvic girdle and shooting pains through my rectum (imagine a hot vibrating poker - eye watering), walking freely down the road and within 15 minutes having to hold on to walls to walk back and that short walk taking almost an hour (I was beyond confused, a shop keeper/friend gave me a retractable walking stick) and then the relationship started, I had no option and it was intense … first the tears explaining to the receptionist and then the GP at the surgery, oh and the pharmacist where I spoke and shared all that I was experiencing. I was given various pain meds to relax my body from the spasms and locking - there was no mention of perimenopause. I didn’t think to mention clotting or gushing periods or tinnitus (managed myself) and then curiosity forced open conversations and MAMM was born during the final phase of perimenopause in May 2020 💜

And then the most bazar thing happened, when hosting a dinner party in 2021 my left ankle gave way 😫😱 Now I thought this was a niggle that would correct itself, as someone who loved running and walking the pain was an inconvenience that impacted my whole life🤨😡 After three months I visited the GP, was referred to physio then referred to an orthopaedic consultant 🤨 - diagnosed with Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) - a chronic condition that requires focused support, self care, strength training, inflammation management and orthotic insoles for the very few footwear options now available to me.

My walks are gentler, there’s no more running, anti inflammatory care is now a priority and saying ‘No’ when I simply cannot put further pressure on my foot has also been important.

The 3 Ms of MAMM 💜👑 oh and the relationship continues with the GP and pharmacist 🤭😉 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾#nhs by @mamm20_20

Knickers in a Twist - In Me and My Menopausal Vagina, Jane Lewis writes candidly about years of pain, discomfort and tears. In A Woman’s Choice, Natalie Campbell describes experiencing early menopause to the extent that she struggled to sit down or wear underwear. And in @painsdownthere Phil highlights the importance of recognising severe and recurrent thrush, drawing attention to the potential link between persistent fungal infections and chronic vulval nerve pain. So while the media has got its knickers in a twist over crotchless underwear, could we instead have an informed conversation with the people who genuinely may value the relief of these garments, not as a novelty or a sexual statement, but as a practical aid to living with chronic pain? Cont… by @mamm20_20

6 years ago we started our conversations on menopause - we are more informed as a consequence. Happy MAMM day 💜 - Ubuntu because of you, we are … seen 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👑

Today take a moment to reflect on any changes you have made and the impact it has had on you.

Today I celebrate you, I acknowledge the collective. I appreciate the trust you have given and most of all the encouragement and support to continue sharing honest information from trusted sources. @efficacy_eva for research, books and films on the Black/Brown and Queer experiences of menopause; @pamelawindlewomenshealthcoach for everything on women’s health and how to burn that belly fat and reclaim your best self; @tracythehealthcoach if you struggle with sleep and @nutritioninarainbow for some healthy nutritious recipes and how to remove toxicity from your home. @awomanschoice for conversations on premature menopause (POI) and for great podcast chats @menopausewhilstblack @blackgirlsguidetomenopause and our SiStar page @theblackwomanshealthcollective

Whilst we now have some knowledge of the menopause on our bodies including our minds - moving forward is about implementing and maintaining changes so that we have a good, healthy and stress free life. And that we can share by example with the next generation.

Together let’s keep talking and sharing 💜🗣️ by @mamm20_20

A fantastic launch yesterday for A Woman’s Choice, the astonishing memoir from Natalie Campbell @awomanschoice. What a great audience, and thank you to @theboathousestudios for providing us with such a beautiful location - the perfect place for the significant conversations that inspired everyone. Great food, great crowd, brilliant book! This really is a phenomenal memoir - written with courage, refreshing frankness and the strength of spirit to bring light into the darkness. Copies available everywhere now, buy it, read it, review it, recommend it. This is a book everyone should be reading #awomanschoice #supportnatalie #bythebook #memoir #menopause by @mamm20_20

Congratulations Natalie Campbell @awomanschoice @bythebookpress an incredible publishing team. The book launch was fantastic, Natalie read with poise and heart and whilst she maintained her composure I beamed and shed a tear.
Please support Natalie in using her voice and experience by sharing - buy, review and share widely. Reviews matter, her story matters 💜 #menopause #poi #prematureovarianinsufficiency #mentalhealth #infertility by @mamm20_20

@awomanschoice Natalie’s book is out and ready for you to read her story. It focuses on raising awareness of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) and the support women need, and published by @bythebookpress

Launching 📒 at The Boat House 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 #PerfectConnection😊

‘The book offers a personal and candid account of entering menopause early, addressing the emotional and physical realities, the lack of medical support, and the journey of navigating a life with POI’

This is not an academic text but 1. A book for you if you find yourself questioning erratic, unpredictable symptoms 2. If you’re a parent of a teenager 3. a partner of someone struggling with menstruation/unspoken concerns about fertility 4. A medic who wants to do better for their patients

It’s an invaluable learning aide for medics on many levels and an invaluable book raising awareness of menopause that rewrites assumptions on age. Natalie - we are so very proud of you 👑👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💐 #menopause #menopausematters #prematureovarianinsufficiency #infertility by @mamm20_20

The first #EquityInGriefFestival2026 is on Friday 6th February in London and it’s FREE.
Tickets available via Eventbrite @mariecurieuk @vernon_patrick @majonzifund @efficacy_eva I’ll be there so please say ‘Hi’ 🫂 or DM any questions 🤔 #Grief #Loss #Equity @parentlabuk @mamm20_20 @theblackwomenshealthcollective by @mamm20_20

Menopause isn’t a woman’s issue so it’s important to be aware. #MenopauseWinner 🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️ You are worthy and you are enough - focus on the 3 Ms of MAMM and have fun. #WinningMenopause @mamm20_20

💜 - Mouthfuls - eat what nourishes and replenishes

💜 - Move some part of you if you can, be gentle, be kind to yourself

💜 - Moments of Joy - do what gives you that feeling of happiness 🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️ by @mamm20_20

You are worthy and you are enough - focus on the 3 Ms of MAMM and have fun. This is not the end but can be a new beginning 👑🤩

💜 - Mouthfuls - eat what nourishes and replenishes

💜 - Move some part of you if you can, be gentle, be kind to yourself

💜 - Moments of Joy - what gives you that feeling of happiness 🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️ by @mamm20_20

International Menopause Month 🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️ 💜 Here are some quick reminders about how you can thrive on this journey but equally the importance of feeling what you’re feeling. One size doesn’t fit all. Do menopause your way with your own research 🧐📚 and the circles of support that works for you.
Start with the 3 Ms of MAMM 💜 Mouthfuls 💜 Movement and 💜 Moments of Joy 🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️ by @mamm20_20

✨Sunday Sip Live Event ✨

‘Togetherness’
Sunday 19th of October 2025

- A Celebration of Women’s Health Communities, Black History Month & Sunday Sip’s Birthday!

We are proud to announce one of our Exhibitor: MAMM
@mamm20_20

Maureen is the founder of MAMM a community support for menopause (Melanin-rich And Menopause Moments) and where she focuses on the 3 Ms – Mouthfuls, Movement and Moments of joy; the host of the Black Menopause Collective and The Kitchen Table (set up in 2020 after losing both parents)
Maureen is also Parenting Consultant and Director of Parent Lab - supporting people navigating the stresses and confusing times of parenthood.

Maureen is a facilitator supporting people in the following areas:
Parenting – strategies for improved connection and understanding, reconciliation through communication, understanding conflict, boundaries.
Menopause – facilitating various conversations around awareness, knowledge, possible solutions, conversations that are unedited, encouraging – Maureen shares films produced by Efficacy EVA challenging the narratives around menopause and ensuring that our diverse menopause experiences are heard and that we are included in all spaces. #OurMenopause #QueerMenopause #EquityInMenopause and the book ‘Black and Menopausal’ an anthology sharing the experiences of various people who have/are navigating menopause as Black people globally.
Grief and Loss – facilitating conversations and sharing our book ‘Black Grief and Healing – why we need to talk about health inequality, trauma and loss’

She is currently writing a novel which she hopes will be completed and published ‘one day’.

Ticket link
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sunday-sip-live-event-togetherness-tickets-1608882213009
Link in bio or visit www.eventbrite.co.uk

A donation from your ticket will go towards the Menstrual Health Drive to the Caribbean https://gofund.me/663e03a3 or link in bio

#sundaysipliveevent #blackhistorymonth #togetherness #menopause #blackandmenopause by @mamm20_20

🩸There’s more to menopause than irregular bleeding or the end of the menstrual cycle. Having our bloods tested for thyroid, diabetes markers, cholesterol, liver is vital. Our blood can inform us on what is going well and what may need addressing whether perimenopause or post menopause. Book in for a consultation with your GP or health provider - go in with your why and remember once your results come through ask for this to be emailed to you so that you can look at it (or have someone support you) whilst your GP goes through each test. 🩸💉🧑🏽‍⚕️👩🏾‍⚕️🧑🏻‍⚕️🧑🏼‍⚕️👩🏼‍⚕️👩🏻‍⚕️📊👨‍💻 Check out @pamelawindlewomenshealthcoach for so much more info on how our bodies can work well during this rite of passage 🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️ by @mamm20_20