The Countess of Wessex has spoken about her own experience of going through the menopause, describing losing her train of thought on royal engagements and feeling as if somebody had taken her brain out. Sophie called for franker conversations surrounding the subject and more support for women as she became patron of the charity Wellbeing of Women. The 56-year-old countess described hot flushes, memory loss and brain fog – all symptoms of the menopause. The Countess of Wessex on the video call (Buckingham Palace/PA) Sophie is thought to be the first member of the royal family to discuss their own experiences of the issue at length in public.