In 2014, during the BDO Darts World Championship in Frimley Green, Deta Hedman had a chance to achieve the crowning moment of her career. She was two sets up on Lisa Ashton and was throwing for the title. However, something seemed off. Hedman appeared distracted, sweaty, and uncomfortable. Her throws were off, and she ultimately lost the leg and the set. Hedman later revealed that she was experiencing a debilitating hot flush, a common symptom of menopause that affects millions of women worldwide.
At the time, Hedman was 55 years old and had been experiencing menopausal symptoms for several years. She had anticipated having hot flushes before her matches during the entire week but hoped to avoid them when she was on the oche. Unfortunately, during the final, the hot flush hit her hard. Despite playing through it, she was an “absolute mess” due to the combination of the hot flush and the tension of the match. Hedman admits that she should have asked for a break but didn’t because she was winning at the time. However, her focus and performance suffered, ultimately leading to her loss to Ashton.
Losing a world title to menopause was devastating for Hedman, and even after seven years, it still haunts her. She reflects on how she fought back too late and acknowledges that the experience has had a lasting impact on her. Hedman now hopes to experience her hot flush before stepping up to the oche because it throws her off her stride.
Menopause is a natural phase of life that nearly every woman goes through, but it is rarely discussed in the context of professional sports. This is partly because most athletes experience menopausal symptoms towards the end of their careers or after retirement. However, in sports like darts, golf, and equestrianism, where women can compete for longer, menopause can have a significant and detrimental impact on performance.
Hot flushes are just one of the many symptoms of menopause that can affect sports performance. Joint pain, palpitations, low moods, and “brain fog” are among the other potential challenges that women may face. For Hedman, her concentration can become scattered, leading to poor decision-making during matches. She also experiences irritability and mood swings, sometimes preferring solitude over socializing.
Hedman maintains a cheerful and philosophical outlook on her menopause, stating that having lived her life, she knows how to control herself during menopausal symptoms. However, she acknowledges that discussing menopause openly is more common in darts compared to other sports. In many other sports, the topic remains taboo or misunderstood in terms of its impact on performance. This stems from the wide range of symptoms that women can experience, which can even surprise experts in the field.
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