As I reach my late 40’s I look forward to certain things. My boys going to high school then college, having the house to myself, becoming wiser and best of all, no more monthly periods..…Yay! I looo-ve being a woman 21 days of the month but the rest of the days can be gone! Well, the flip side to having no more periods is I will be experiencing the big “M” or Menopause. Now from what I’ve read, Menopause it’s not going to be a walk in the park or a 70% off shoe sale at Macys. No this crossroad is going to be rough ride. I feel kind of cheated because I went though my monthly cycles like a champ, I had a sufficient amount of rug rats, and then I chilled, waiting on my “Meno-prize”. I think I deserve get some type of incentive prize after 37 years of “Aunt flow”. I don’t even have to be that special. A little weight loss like, let’s say 40lbs, Maybe some tropical vacation or better yet NO MORE PERIODS. I swear this is how I know God has a sense of humor. He gives us period free bliss for the second half, but at a price. Payment is due in the form of Menopause around 45-55 years old. Before we talk about how to cope with the big “M” Let’s talk about what Menopause is.
Menopause is a normal condition that women experience as we age. The term is commonly used to describe any of the changes a woman experiences either just before or after she stops menstruating, marking the end of her reproductive period. Some women go though Perimenopause, which typically begins several years before menopause, that’s when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen.
Menopause is about much more than losing your period. It’s the end of your fertility, which some ladies may welcome, but for others the end of making babies can be a major bummer. Many women struggle with emotional symptoms that can be overwhelming. The of sudden feeling of "old lady" hangs around the neck like a yoke. As a society we must change certain attitudes about menopause. Menopause is not an illness or ailment. It happens to every woman so stigmatizing it is wrong. Menopause is not the end of your life. It should be celebrated.
with the use of media outlets organizations like the Red Hot Mamas provides education, support, understanding, hope and optimism through their website. http://www.redhotmamas.org/ They spread informative info and love for women who need support. Men can help also be being understanding and supportive to their partners. They can be more understanding of their partners’s sex drive. Sex could have changed slightly as she experiences a slower loss of testosterone. Also be aware that emotional changes are likely to occur and that they are not to blame for them but that their partner may require extra attention, love and outward expressions of caring more now than ever before.
With more open-minded health-care practitioners and women who see menopause as a natural transition society can change it’s beliefs about menopause. Who know maybe we will get a female president that will grant my invective prizes......... I'll wait.
I really enjoyed reading your blog. It was not only informative, but it was written creatively and the media used gave it even more of an abuse. The video clip made me laugh. I had never seen it before. I think that it was great that you were able to write about menopause from your perspective and what it meant to you! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and allowing me to see more about menopause and what to expect one day.
ReplyDelete