Your Story...

Menopause marks an important event in a woman's life. I would love to hear your story and have you share it with other women. My goal is to give women an idea of the types of things that they may encounter during this journey from start to finish. I realize that every experience is widely different, but perhaps through our stories, we can create a more realistic idea of what can be expected.

Women need to hear some of the specific details concerning this change of life. It is wonderful that you are willing to share your thoughts and experiences. What was it like for you? What issues did you have, either physically or psychologically? What did you know and what do you know now? What did you do or wish you had done to make the journey easier?

The more information we share, the better idea a woman will have on what to expect and the choices they can make. It can be emotionally satisfying to discover that someone else has a similar story. You can make a difference for someone who needs a little bit more information than the meager generalities that can be found online or in books.

I kept a journal throughout my own experience and found it helpful. Not only was I able to identify what was going on in my life and make adjustments, but I was also able to clarify my own feelings about what was happening to me physically and within the relationships around me.

Thank you so much for sharing your extremely important story. You are congratulated for offering clarity to women towards understanding what they may be experiencing with this important change of life event. You are participating in a valuable outline of this life experience that will have an impact on many women for years to come.


Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Barbara's Journal
February 2011
     I had my first hot flashes at 52 years old. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. For the last ten years, I questioned and listened to friends talk about their experiences with menopause. I wondered when it would be my turn to experience this life changing event.
     What exactly should I expect? Information from friends was pretty much limited to short statements on hot flashes. The only conclusion I have been able to draw from them is that I’m truly glad I live in a cool climate now instead of the sweltering heat of the Arizona desert.
     But, I needed more… more facts about the road I’m heading down. This has become a journey into the unknown. There are a few books on the subject. They have been basic and generalized discussions that miss the mark for me. The internet searches provided the same general explanation of “a woman’s change of life.” And most of what I've found in the way of explanations seems to be tied into advertisements for products.
     I really want to know what are the details involved in this change. There has to be something more than just hot flashes, night sweats, and irregular periods as an explanation. How will I know if I’m perimenopausal or actually there? When will it be over? I realize that every woman will have a different experience, unique to their own body. But, what are the ranges that we can expect? We women need an overview, not a generalized list. That everyone is different tells us nothing to alleviate the concerns.
     But, let me start with that list and explore from there—
Hot flashes, irregular periods, mood swings, weight gain, vaginal dryness, night sweats, loss of libido, sore joints, tendons and muscles, changes in hair growth, thickening of the waist, mental stuff like confusion or disorientation, memory lapses, and/or dizziness and balance issues. Wow! These are some of the things I can expect over the next few years or so…
     I decided to write this journal, exploring the trek as I’m propelled through this physical and psychological evolution towards the next phase of my life. My hope is that I will have a much clearer view of what happens along the way. And just maybe I will find a better person in myself at the end.
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