Share Your Story
I really appreciate all of the wonderful feedback that I’ve received so far. As I talk to women all over the country it’s become clear that many of you have a story that you’re anxious to tell. And we’re anxious to hear it. That’s why we’ve provided the “Share Your Story” link for you (use the link one the right hand side NOT as a comment on this story — comments on this story will be public) . So that Menologues can be a conduit we can use to help one another.
If you use the link on the right hand side of the page, your story won’t appear on the newest Menologues blog. It will be accessible only to those of us at Menologues. We may reference a specific example anonymously, in another blog, unless you specify otherwise. Conversely, if you are willing to share with everyone be sure to make that clear in your write up. I will contact you directly and together we can determine how we can tell your story in a way that will make you feel comfortable and well served. Good or bad you have had experiences that can benefit other women. And they want the benefit of your knowledge.
Advice to ensure husbands survive menopause
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times – we are not emotional basket cases that melt down every time someone looks at us cross-eyed during menopause. That said, there’s some advice for husbands that just plain old makes sense throughout your marriage – and might just keep you alive during menopause.
For starters, there are the “how does this look on me” and “do I look fat in this” conversations that frequently land you on the couch with your back in spasms. We can avoid all of that unpleasantness with a few simple points to consider. Remember, menopause occurs during a time in a woman’s life when she might be feeling somewhat vulnerable about her appearance – does she look older, perhaps heavier – none of these possibilities are making her feel confident. Maybe menopause makes this worse or maybe it’s just the time of life – either way a little damage control could be a lifesaver.
Phantom Period
Admit it. You women who haven’t hit menopause yet are jealous that I never have a period. You should be – it’s awesome! I never have to worry about my white pants. I never have to think about running out of a meeting because I might be leaking. I don’t get cramps. I don’t plot to murder my co-workers the week before it all hits. I don’t have to look for sales and buy a zillion tampons and sanitary napkins. And I DON’T have to wear a tampon WITH a sanitary napkin – god that was the worst! It’s true. I have it better than you! Read the rest of this entry »
Will I Get Fat?
I have the unequivocal answer to the question that everyone asks. Will I get fat when I’m in menopause. And the official answer is: You might or you might not. Helpful right? They do tell you that weight gain is definitely something that happens to women in menopause – but it doesn’t happen to everyone. So far, no one has been able to tell me exactly why you gain weight. I already know that if you had curves when you were younger you’ll probably have fuller curves as you get older. Over time as the weight piles on the curves can fill in completely or morph you into a different and less desirable shape – don’t make me go on. But why, in particular, is it worse during or after menopause? Read the rest of this entry »
Welcome
Welcome to the launch of Menologues … which starts as my journey through menopause. It is the hope that you will join in with me and we can share our journeys together. Even if you’re not the outspoken type and you‘d prefer to remain behind the scenes, Menologues can give you some support and maybe even a little guidance through this challenging phase of your life. Please consider sharing your story with us.
The new face of menopause
The new face of menopause is mine. It used to be that of an old lady, but not anymore. It’s not that I’m any younger than the women of yesterday – but I’m younger in spirit. And I’m not alone. Far fewer women going through menopause are frumpy and dowdy as were most of the women of 50, even 30, years ago. We’re living longer and we’re staying younger longer. Problem is – so many people still associate menopause with the time when a woman gets old so there’s that stigma. Some women wear it as a badge of courage – I’m old and I’m proud. But most of us would rather disassociate ourselves from the one thing that will certainly rob us of our youth. After my hysterectomy I was very quick to point out that I was in surgical menopause because I wanted people to know that I wasn’t old enough to get there naturally. And to some extent I still hang on to that surgical menopause life raft. In fact, I can honestly say that I’m younger than the age when the average woman enters menopause. And I’ll be saying that for as long as I can! Read the rest of this entry »
Getting older
From the time a woman is in her late thirties her reproductive organs are starting to “get old.” For years doctors have harped on the fact that you need to have your kids while you’re still young (translating to some time in your twenties) or the incidence of infertility etc., rises fairly dramatically. Although that becomes increasingly difficult given current lifestyle choices there’s definitely some logic to it. Along those same lines, however, from the time we’re in our mid to late thirties doctors are starting to respond to comments regarding our physical complaints by telling us we’re “getting older.” I don’t mind telling you that it was quite a shock the first time I confided to my wonderful (I’m not being facetious – he was great) gynecologist/fertility specialist that things down south seemed to be going south and he responded, “Well, you are getting older.” I am not! – well, technically nobody’s getting younger – but hell, I was still a spring chicken when he said that. So, I’ve been hearing that parts of me were “getting old” for a very long time now. And unfortunately, that “getting older” response so frequently given to women is often a catchall for ignoring our changing bodies and our concerns about them. That’s not just disheartening – it can also be lethal. Read the rest of this entry »
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