In this episode released in the week of International Women's Day on 8th March, a perimenopausal woman has more hormones than she knows what to do with as they channel themselves into her libido in "Awakening the Fire".

Then a young woman senses the growing isolation from her peer group as she learns she’s entered an irreversible early menopause in "Not the Same Clock".  Some listeners may find this monologue upsetting.

Hot Flashes: Menopause Monologues features two dramatised monologues each week and the writer's inspiration behind each one.

"Awakening the Fire" is performed by Zoë Tapper (Cleo Morey, ITV's Grace) and "Not the Same Clock" is performed by Bhavnisha Parmar (Sonya Khan, Doctor Who).

The Menopause Monologues are written by Helena Jevons. For more about the books (available now), events and the podcast, visit hotflashes.info

Music from Artlist.

Hot Flashes is produced by Helen Quigley and is a Soundliness production.