A CHARLTON woman is launching her debut book on menopause following her huge success in running a blog aimed at supporting women.

Claire Hattrick, known as Clipboard Claire, has written ‘Menopause Help: Before, during and after!’, designed to “inform without unnecessary information”.

The author Claire, 53, said her work is “an informative book with a difference”, featuring short, precise chapters covering the main symptoms of menopause.

“This book aims to inform women and men about menopause,” Claire told the Advertiser.

“We want this book to be given to all women in their 30s to prepare and educate them for the changes that will happen to their body. Forewarned is forearmed and with many women reaching menopause early these days, this topic could not be more relevant.”

Claire began her career as a sales executive, and following the birth of her identical twin daughters, Abby and Beth, decided to follow her passion to become a beauty therapist.

However, like many women, Claire suffered from the effects of the menopause as she got older, and she received symptoms including “debilitating” joint pain.

During the lockdown, she started her blog Clipboardclaire.com, aimed at supporting women with a variety of issues, including the menopause and being a single parent.

Since its launch, thousands of women visit her blog daily to see what advice she has to offer.

Claire added that many women do not realise they are going through menopause until they are months down the line.

“If each woman was educated on this topic and knew that there were 34 main symptoms of the menopause, they would know what to look out for and could receive the help they need faster, therefore freeing up members of the NHS,” Claire said.

“Education of men on this topic will mean a better, more forgiving work environment for women at this time in their life. With women not being prepared, there is no hope for men. Support is the main factor that helps women through this time, and it would be huge if they received support from the male population too – whether that be at home or during the working day. Simple things such as giving female employees a desk near a window, allowing them to work fewer night shifts or just being there and understanding what they are going through can help massively.”

Claire said the purpose and mission of the book is to help women get through this time in their life. “From high flying, determined women quitting their careers, to women struggling to get out of bed in the morning, this book will raise awareness and increase support for women going through the menopause.

“It should be embraced as a change and a great time to reinvent yourself or build on yourself and considering 50 per cent of the population will go through this change at some point in their life, it's time we all started talking.”

To see Claire’s work, and find out more, visit: www.clipboardclaire.com