There is a particular kind of relief that comes from sitting in a room full of women who understand exactly what you mean. Not because they have read about it, but because they are living it too. That is the feeling most women describe when they come to one of our information evenings here in Coatbridge, and it is the feeling we set out to create from the very beginning.

Vibrant Health Advocates – Sirius runs regular evenings for women in midlife and menopause across the Monklands area. The format is straightforward: a local venue, a comfortable setting, a short presentation covering the facts about perimenopause and menopause, and then plenty of time for questions. There is no pressure to speak. Many women come for months before they say a word in the group, and that is completely fine.

What we cover in each session varies depending on what the group needs, but we always start with the basics because, frankly, most of us were never taught them. We talk about what perimenopause actually is, when it tends to start, and why symptoms can be so varied and so unexpected. Hot flushes get most of the media attention, but brain fog, joint pain, heart palpitations, disrupted sleep, and changes in mood are just as common and just as deserving of clear information.

"We are not a medical clinic. We do not prescribe anything or diagnose anyone. What we do is help women arrive at their GP appointment or specialist referral already informed — already knowing the right questions to ask and already confident enough to ask them."

That shift in confidence matters enormously. Research consistently shows that women who feel informed about their own health navigate the healthcare system more effectively and feel more in control of the decisions they face.

The evenings are free to attend. We ask only that women register in advance so we can plan the space. Partners and friends are welcome too, because menopause affects households, not just individuals, and the women in our group often tell us that their partners had no idea what they were going through until they heard it explained plainly.

If you are based in Coatbridge or the wider Monklands area and you have been wondering whether these evenings are for you, the answer is almost certainly yes. You do not need to be at a particular stage. You do not need a referral. You just need to show up.