10-07-2025
How York woman Kirsty Dixon fought and beat the menopause
A York woman who has suffered a most traumatic menopause wants women to try and be positive and embrace this time of life.
Kirsty Dixon has launched Feelgood Menopause, offering coaching, workshops and other resources both to women and businesses.
Kirsty's career is 'super varied' with previous roles including hairdresser and chalet maid to customer facing and management roles before becoming a learning and development practitioner aged 51.
But it was her own menopause 'journey' that led her to create the business she has today.
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At 44, it began with 'moments of blankness, like a camera shutter.'
Then at 49, bang! She says, with stress, anxiety, brain fog, memory problems, heart palpitations, dizziness, emotions, a complete loss in her ability to do anything.
No-one mentioned menopause and she tearfully 'crashed and burned' taking 18 days off work. Kirsty's GP carried out tests, discovering menopause, and put her on HRT, but this only 'dampened' the symptoms.
Kirsty Dixon says women must put themselves first (Image: Pic supplied)
She told the Press: 'I spent the next four years fighting it with every ounce of energy I did not have.'
With the support of her husband, Kirsty battled on, and after suffering 'a mammoth three-month bleed' she came off the HRT and the bleeding stopped.
Then, during the pandemic, depressed after the loss of her dad, Kirsty read an article about menopause on her phone, leading to more articles and a realisation she was not mad or alone.
It led to a 'wonderful year of rediscovery' about life and becoming 'the beautiful butterfly I am today.'
She passed an apprenticeship and on being made redundant in 2022, launched Pause for Thought Consultancy, offering consultancy for employers, menopause education and coaching.
The first 18 months as a new business was 'awesome' but with more family deaths and illness, the business suffered, and Kirsty almost gave up work. She took a break to relax and after reflection and soul searching, relaunched the business to better highlight her changed attitudes to menopause.
Now, Feel Good Menopause stresses after menopause your life is not over, and you are not old or past it.
Kirsty told the Press: 'I am all about empowering people to own their journey, education people and encouraging self-learning, and finally to embrace this stage of life.'
This led Kirsty to start The Menopause Café in Acomb featuring guest speakers and the walking group 'Feel Good Menopause: Let's walk and talk in York.'
Today, the 58 year-old urges women not to be scared of menopause, but prepared, saying it would have been better if she had been.
Women should also have a support network of friends and others who understand what is going on. Getting educated, learning about symptoms, is also essential, should a GP 'try to fob you off.'
Kirsty also says women need to remember they are number one, to put themselves first and to be kind to themselves.
She continued: 'As a postmenopausal woman, I have never felt more 'don't give a s***' and do not put up with the rubbish I used to.
'I have never felt more confident in myself, vibrant, creative, reflective and put me first. It's not just me that says this. I hear it from others too.
'We care less what others think about us, wiser, a time to embrace, of discovery and curiosity about ourselves. A new feeling of inner strength. Time to stop and reflect. A new found energy and freedom.
'All that and no more periods or pregnancy worries - wooohooooo!'
Kirsty concluded: 'My coaching is more about personal and professional development - taking the I can't and I'm useless, to the 'Oh yes I can' and the 'I am fabulous'
'It really is about the positive messages and empowering people.'
To contact Kirsty, go to:
