I've been thinking a lot about menopause as my mind and body start to change. For me- I look like myself on the outside, but what I'm feeling on the inside has warranted a questionnaire of sorts. "Who am I" or better yet, "Who am I becoming"?
I guess a sniffer dog. Yes ladies- a sniffer dog has got nothing on you when experiencing menopause, which in a funny way is a good thing. You will become more aware of smells because your sense of smell will become heightened and houndly accurate. You also might develop a bit of an attitude with this new superpower because everything smells intense, so don't go whiffing and telling people you don't like the smell of their perfumes.
For starters- there's this sweating thing that's been going on. It started at night-I noticed my press-n-curl wasn't lasting it's full term (at least not at the nape). Some nights were okay, but more and more I started noticing my body oppressing me with humidity. For instance, I never knew boobs could get funky! Did you? I'll admit, I'm a bit of a hairy creature, but it's not like I'm walking around like a sasquatch. What exactly propels this funk? Oh, the change the body is going through! You mean to tell me at night, while I am sleeping, my hair turns into a used cotton ball, and I wake up with funky boobs!
Okay God- I see your sense of humor.
This ladies is phase one. Over time I learned my eyelids, neck and upper lip have sweat glands. Most people couldn't see the sweat beads developing on my face, but I think because I felt them bubbling up it made it worse, only to eventually end up with a glistening necklace made from (you guessed it) the finest sweat. You just might apply to have steady service from the fire department because you are in for a year or more of hot flashing battles.
Now had I not had a girlfriend (shout out to Dez) share her story with me as to why a tall cup of ice is always a wardrobe accessory to her fashionable attire, I would not have known how to (somewhat) navigate through my own experience. Why? Because every woman's experience is different and because no one talks about this ladies! I'm not looking for medical terminology when dealing with what's happening to my body (you'll understand this later). I"ll call my doc at another time. For now, while going through the beginning stages of this mind, body and soul transformation, a roundtable discussion with the girlfriends is what's needed, equipped with Polycom Soundstation IP 6000 in case we need backup. Tuh!
I had questions that I wanted to ask. Like gurl-
"Why is my bra funky?"
"What can I do to keep this hair together?"
"What can I do to keep myself from feeling insane?"
"Why the hell does no toilet paper on the roll make me want to kill everyone in the house?"
"Why am I crying (literally crying) as I explain to my man, I have no energy for him and that I only have enough energy for myself, and as a result, we need to end this relationship NOW?"
So yeah, the doc may give you medical answers, but I need the good girlfriend who'd say,
"You ain't going crazy girl."
"Your body is just changing."
"You may need to change your deodorant, but you'll be okay."
I needed the homey to say "how are you feeling today?" In a way that could be laughed about and loved through a transition that was going to happen to the body whether I was ready or not.
As women, we hear about hot flashes that come with menopause, and that's it,(oh yeah and the dry vajayjay:). But ladies, it's all fixable. The more we talk and make ourselves relate to other women, the more this will be a normal part of the process. Honestly, after some exercise, a new deodorant, some vitamins and a new appreciation for deodorant I'm fine! It's a normal part of life so let me give you the basic breakdown, so you know what to expect.
Although research says it happens between your 40's and 50's(Mayo clinic reports the average age is 51)peri symptoms can reveal in your early 30's.
Here are a few of the symptoms
-irregular periods
-vaginal dryness
-hot flashes
-chills
-night sweats
-sleep problems
-mood changes
-weight gain and slowed metabolism
-thinning hair
-dry skin
-loss of breast fullness
I will say I personally haven't experienced all of these symptoms( the jury is still out though). Most likely your first indication will be the irregular sleep patterns, but it's different for everyone. Sleep can suddenly become hard work, isn't that just sad? Menopause disrupts your sleep pattern and can have you either sleeping at short intervals or struggling to find any sleep at all. You could as well just stay up at night and become a sidekick to the Batman.
...And ladies...You ever heard of a surprise baby? Well SURPRISE.. you can still get preggo. Don't underestimate your body, It's a fantastic structure. Do not think your periods have gone away forever after missing a few months. It'll pop up on you just when you least expect it and BOOM, a baby. Use protection...no surprise babies.
Menopause is the natural progression of womanhood. It's not a disease so let's stop treating it as a terrible secret.
What are the causes of menopause
Menopause results from the natural decline of reproductive hormones. Approaching your late 30's reduces the estrogen and progesterone levels your ovaries would produce. Your menstruation is no longer regulated by hormones, and your fertility takes a dive. So if you want to start a family and you are on a mission today. Save your eggs! Freeze 'em! Don't listen to what other people have to say about your body. If you think you may want children later on in life, freeze your eggs. It's up to you whether you use them or not. Take some of the pressure off yourself. Now live:)
Menopause can also be induced by:
Hysterectomy
Although you no longer have periods, your ovaries still release eggs and produce estrogen and progesterone when only your uterus has been removed. However, when both your ovaries and uterus have been removed, the body goes into immediate menopause. In this case, you're likely to have hot flashes and other signs and symptoms of menopause, mainly because your hormonal changes happened abruptly.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
Cancer therapies can induce menopause causing hot flashes during or after treatment. With chemotherapy not permanently halting menstruation and fertility, birth control is still needed.
Primary ovarian insufficiency
Some women may experience premature menopause when ovaries fall to produce normal levels of reproductive hormones. Often no cause is found. To protect the brain, heart, and bones; hormone therapy is recommended until the natural age of menopause.
Complications of Menopause
Cardiovascular disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. With estrogen levels decreasing, eating a healthy diet, maintaining weight and getting regular exercise will improve your hearts health.
Osteoporosis
After menopause, you lose bone density at a rapid rate. This increases your risk of injury and fractures to hips, wrists, and your spine.
Urinary incontinence
With your vajayjay and urethra losing elasticity you experience frequent urges to urinate, followed by urge incontinence, or stress incontinence. Kegel exercises and using topical vaginal estrogen may help relieve symptoms of incontinence.
Weight Gain
What can I say? Eat less and exercise more. We aren't 19 anymore.
Sexual Function
This is the one thing every woman I know is concerned with. It's like when your man is running around hiding viagra in his socks because he doesn't want you to know he's taking it. It's uncomfortable to discuss, but it's one more added step before the fireworks... so do it! Vaginal dryness can be treated with lubricants, vaginal cream, tablets or an estrogen ring.
I know I laid a lot on you with this one and you may or may not be going through this. But if you know someone in need of this information, share it because we are in this together. Besides, why walk around with funky bras and dry cooch if you can fix it? Let's spread the word ladies.