A DUNFERMLINE woman fears she will never have the chance to be a mum after a four-year delay in being diagnosed with early menopause.

Laura Close says she was told by doctors in 2015 that she was “too young” for the menopause and when she returned to her GP last year after experiencing debilitating symptoms, claimed they said she was “under stress” and sent her away with sleeping pills and anti-depressants.

The 37-year-old says she has now lost her job and her home because of her ill health.

In May this year, the continuous hot sweats, insomnia and severe mood swings resulted in her having a breakdown which ended in her being admitted to a psychiatric unit for eight days.

After her father provided funding for her to go private, the former sales advisor got the diagnosis she had expected, however, she says she is still waiting for any support from NHS Fife.

She has now lodged a complaint against the health board as she said their failures have “completely ruined” her life.

“I had diagnosed myself,” she said. “I had erratic bleeding and they put me on pill after pill. It has completely destroyed my life and it is all because the NHS didn’t listen to what I was saying, they thought I was too young.

"I was told in May that I probably won’t be able to have kids naturally and it is probably too late for IVF now too.

“I am only 37 so I am really young to be going through this. I have tracked my grandad’s sister down and I was told that she went through the menopause in her 30s and so did her sisters and all her cousins. It is hereditary. 

“Because I am so young, I am getting hit with severe sweats, the insomnia, depression, mood swings. My life has been absolutely ruined. I have been to a private menopause doctor and am going back to see him. I am on HRT patches but they are not making much of a difference.”
Laura said it had been difficult to hear that she will not be able to have children naturally.

“It is different saying I am not fussy about having kids but when that option is taken away from you, it is completely different,” she told the Press.

“It is hard when people around you are all having kids.

“It has affected me mentally and physically. I want to raise awareness of what is happening. I don’t want people suffering like I have. I have always been very sociable and was one of the most bubbly people and now some days I don’t want to leave the house. 

“There isn’t enough support. I am begging for help.”

Laura has enlisted the support of MSP Annabelle Ewing, who has written to NHS Fife expressing concerns about how she has been treated.

NHS Fife chief executive Paul Hawkins said they were bound by regulations which meant they are not permitted to disclose any personal or medical information in relation to patients.

“However, we can confirm that we have received a complaint from Ms Close, which we are in the process of investigating,” he said.

“NHS Fife is committed to providing the highest standards of care and we take all instances where this may have fallen short very seriously.”