Norma Goldman

Norma Goldman BPharm.MRPharmS.MSc.(health promotion)

Does life begin at 50? Well, it certainly did for me. When I reached 51, the average age of the menopause, I changed direction and achieved new goals. Having worked as a pharmacist for thirty years, I obtained a Master's degree in health promotion in 1996. I then began giving talks and seminars on all aspects of the menopause to both women and healthcare professionals.

In 1999, I founded The Menopause Exchange, which is an independent organisation providing quarterly newsletters and fact sheets and an information service for members. The Menopause Exchange's 'Ask the Experts' panel answer members' questions on various topics. It includes menopause consultants, GPs, a specialist menopause nurse, a specialist menopause pharmacist, a community pharmacist, two dietitians and a counsellor, all of whom have professional expertise in the menopause and long experience of answering the real-life questions of women with menopausal symptoms. The answers have been so well-received by our members that I decided to put the questions and answers that cover the key issues in book form so that other women would benefit from them too.

Since I founded The Menopause Exchange, my life has become more hectic than ever. As well as running The Menopause Exchange, I am often interviewed by journalists for newspapers, journals and magazines. I am married with two daughters and three grandchildren, so I also enjoy spending time with my family.

Going through the menopause certainly hasn't stopped me enjoying life. And I hope my story will inspire and encourage women to 'have a go' and take opportunities as they arise.