by M. Bradley McCauley McCauley
Member since:
April 21, 2006

Change of Life-Menopause

August 31, 2008 02:01 PM EDT (Updated: August 31, 2008 02:09 PM EDT)
views: 154 | rating: 10/10 (15 votes) | comments: 21
Menopause, or the permanent end of menstruation and fertility, is a natural biological process, not a medical illness.

Even so, the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause can disrupt your sleep, sap your energy and - at least indirectly - trigger feelings of sadness and loss.

It doesn't have to be. You don't have to have:

* annoying mood swings including crying jags
* being prone to anger most of the time
* hot flashes during the day
* night sweats and wet sheets at night
* an inability to focus
* a significant loss of short-term memory
* uncomfortable gas and bloating
* abnormal weight gain

You can ease into it and you can breeze through it.

 Are you experiencing?

Tiredness?

Loss of sleep?

Feeling chilled?

Anxiety and/or panic attacks?

Muscles achy?

Mental sluggishness?

Moody?

These can also be symptoms of a sluggish thyroid.

If you aren't sure what your symptoms are from, it's best to contact your medical adviser.

Self diagnosis is often way off base from the true problem.

You can check out my sqquidoo lens for more information and some suggestions for books, supplements and natural remedies  on the subject.  I wish I had the wealth of information back in my change days that is available to young women today.

http://www.squidoo.com/menapause
link to this page
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Comments: 21

Elsie Duggan Aug 31, 2008, 2:18pm EDT
I have no idea why I came to read this Mary, so long ago, and I did breeze through Menopause without any symptoms, except an occasional hot flash, and at times a bit weepy, but it all went away in a few months, and then I was free to enjoy my life, I never listened to all the symptoms you are supposed to feel, I think that is why so many people get them, they expect them. Great piece of advice here.
M. Bradley McCauley McCauley Aug 31, 2008, 2:32pm EDT
Thanks Elsie. It's been a long time for me also. I realize now that although I didn't think I was having any symptoms other than hot flashes, I now know that the depression I thought was due to my marriage, was made worse by the change. Maybe had I know it, I would have made some different decisions.

Not much I can do now but hope some of the younger women are more aware than I was.

Thanks for the comment. I always appreciate your words.
Sharon B. Aug 31, 2008, 2:59pm EDT
thanks for the information
Carol B Aug 31, 2008, 3:21pm EDT
Been there done that. Still a little mentally cloudy though.
Donna T. Aug 31, 2008, 3:51pm EDT
I tell ya what Elsie -- I didn't expect to get hot flashes 7 times in a hour, yet somehow against my expectations, I have them!

Also, sex is not painful for me because I expected it to be -- I didn't expect this, yet I have it.
Dusty Hubbard Aug 31, 2008, 5:18pm EDT
Good Article
Kathryn E. Aug 31, 2008, 5:56pm EDT
I had hot flashes a couple of years before menopause but really no symptoms after menopause. I tend to believe that natural foods and exercise will help us through anything.

Somehow, Firefox or Google or something has added something today = I have a turquoise box around .com everywhere.

I left the house and came back to find a turquoise box around dot com. Not just here but on my Gmail.

Either Firefox or Google did that. Not that I mind, it is just different.
.* Sandi * Aug 31, 2008, 6:06pm EDT
not having any fun with it lol
Andrea (Ms. Conservative) L. Aug 31, 2008, 6:31pm EDT
I'm so glad I don't have to go through this naturally - had my hysterectomy in March of this year. I do, however, still have to be on the lookout for the other problems associated with menopause - brittle bones, etc. Great article, Mary
Lyn Owen Sep 1, 2008, 12:08am EDT
ah motherwort
Debbie B. Sep 1, 2008, 12:52am EDT
Thanks for the info.
Jan S. Sep 1, 2008, 1:20am EDT
I didn't have much trouble with the change. The sleepless nights were pretty hard, but the rest went by quickly.
Kimber F. Sep 1, 2008, 1:24am EDT
I'm not there yet, so this information is really helpful. Thankfully there is a wealth of information as well as help out there these days. Thanks for sharing this and peace.
Angela A. Sep 1, 2008, 1:38pm EDT
Thanks so much for the great advice!


I wont be online long today, so here is a cool comment graphic instead.

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Sandre M. Sep 2, 2008, 6:21pm EDT
Lucky you gals! Mine lasted ten years. I thought at one point that I'd finally just lost my mind. The only thing that finally helped was Soy Isoflaven (I think that's the name of it). That suddenly stopped just about all the symptoms and made the others completely bearable.
Austin Cushing Sep 3, 2008, 6:29pm EDT
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations, and check out this week's Help These Articles!
Jan R. Sep 8, 2008, 8:31am EDT
I remember keeping the thermostat set at 60 degrees (which I still do) and wearing short in the middle of wintertime. My hot flashes didn't make me sweat but I had the "pin pricks". It felt like pin pricks all over my body. Even the bottom of my feet.
Carol P. Sep 20, 2008, 5:08pm EDT
Thanks for the info. We all have our own menopause to experience I guess.
Karen G. Oct 2, 2008, 6:30pm EDT
It seems like everytime I think I've had my last period, I have another one. I've got symptoms of the "change" but so far they are not unbearable.

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