After two years of sharing my challenges, triumphs, frustrations, discomforts and random thoughts about the menopausal time of life on Menologues it seems like a good idea to take a look at where this journey started and how far it has come.

Menologues was born in May 2009 when my business partner pointed out that so many women were coming to me to ask about menopause, what to expect and what to do about it, that I should probably consider dedicating a blog to the subject. When you’re an outspoken woman who’s been through any kind of an ordeal you tend to draw attention. She had a point.

At that time the only options regarding education on menopause were some dry-as-dust textbooks and a few humorous columns and blogs. With the majority of women heavily in denial about the approach of menopause there was very little hitting the sweet spot of giving them some knowledge without making it hideously painful and we thought it was worth a shot.

In the beginning it was a cathartic opportunity to share trials and tribulations over the balancing act that got me through peri-menopause, my misdiagnosed endometriosis and a nazi-esque gynecologist who clearly experienced fear/aggression when confronted with anything having breasts. I revealed the painful process of ditching the disturbing little man and finding a surgeon who did not exhibit open hostility just by virtue of being in the presence of a woman, and went on to document my hysterectomy in all its gory but lifesaving details.

But the overriding theme was about trusting your own instincts and not letting some pompous windbag convince you that you’re weak and wimpy and there’s nothing wrong with you when you know damn well there is!

Over the course of the past two years, we went on to address a wide variety of topics such as weight gain, fluctuating emotions, fluctuating emotions at the office, sleep deprivation, feeling old, weight loss, clothing that fits, waves of heat and perspiration, vaginal dryness, clothing that looks good on us, diet and validation to name a few. And there were strong opinions about all of them.

Feedback, some written and some verbal, has indicated that we’ve managed to accomplish a few things. Certainly I have had a chance to express myself and, at times, to vent about life and it’s nuances, but the most rewarding part of the whole experience has boiled down to two things: 1. some people have indicated that they have found help and encouragement, and 2. it has made some people think – and often they’ve responded.

At this juncture I can’t even imagine not having a blog where I can reach out and share and be touched by so many wonderful people – most have been women – but there have been a few brave testosterone filled souls as well.