Aoife Rafter

Aoife, 29 is a reflexologist and advocate for young women going through the menopause from Naas, County Kildare in Ireland. She first experienced medically induced menopausal symptoms after being treated for cervical cancer when she was just 27. She uses her Instagram account and blog to highlight health and wellness issues such as alternative therapies, patient rights, cervical cancer, cystic fibrosis, which she’s also affected by, and the menopause.

1. The best thing about the menopause is…

It has given me the opportunity to connect to a community of wise, powerful women and for this I am eternally grateful. Last year, for example, I had the honour of speaking about my experience at an event hosted by Vichy. I learned so much valuable information. I was also able to talk about how, even though menopause in your 20s can be challenging, it is possible to find a way through it.

2. The hardest thing about the menopause is…

For me, the worst and most prominent symptom is how the change in my hormones has affected my mood and emotional wellbeing. As my cervical cancer was hormone-induced I can’t have HRT so these changes have been severe and there have been times when I thought I would never feel like myself again. I’m glad to report that things have settled down for now at least.

3. My lightbulb moment was…

Realising the part I could play in helping to educate young women. It’s incredibly challenging to get information about the menopause but even more so for younger women because we’re such a minority. So I started to talk more publicly about my experience through social media and my blog to help educate women like me.

4. My selfcare superhero is…

All things alternative!! I’ve found breathwork, meditation, CBD, reflexology and acupuncture all fantastic for keeping my symptoms under control.

5. I couldn’t live without…

Meditating. It’s my new superpower! It truly helps me to gain clarity when life is spiraling out of control. It brings me back to my breath and my true intentions.

To read Aoife’s blog head www.aoifepr.com and follow her at @aoife.p.r

Book a consultation

Whether you want to discuss your symptoms, create a treatment plan that's right for you, understand some test results or have a check-up, the highly experienced doctors and nurses in our menopause clinic are here to help you.

Book now