Posted on March 17, 2008. Filed under: Menopause: The Big Change | Tags: baby boomer women, fifty plus, women over fifty, midlife, boomers, aging, anti aging, baby boomer generation, turning fifty, aging with grace, baby boomers, midlife crisis, midlife transition, older women, old broad, encourage, connect, support, body image, emotion, feminists, menopause, peri menopause, menopausal symptoms, Mary Eileen Williams, baby boomer woman, first-wave boomers, maturity, forum for women, over fifty, 50+, counterculture, psychedelic, Fifties, Sixties, Seventies, generation, boomer, women, mature women, career transition, career development, retirement, retirement planning, hippies, hippie, hippy, hippie chick, feminist, feminist movement, creative, speak, voice, empty nest, empty nesters, book, story, friends, forums for women, female forums, write, writer, invitation, share, body, symptoms of menopause, wisdom, tips for baby boomer women, the 60's, the 50's, health, seniors, careers after 50, lifelong learning, senior services, mature resources, women over 50, M. Eileen Williams, Eileen Williams, inspiration, marriage, post-menopausal, post-menopause, baby boomer, healthy aging, aging process, feminist history, 60s hippies, hippie culture, 1960’s hippies, hippies in the sixties, early menopause, signs of menopause, humor, fun, baby boomer women over fifty, baby boomer women over 50, senior discount, groovy, career, attitude, goal, goal setting, goal attainment, reaching your goals, making goals |
I know I come off as the Pollyanna of menopause—fervently and forever championing the great change. But I do want to acknowledge the struggles of my younger sisters. Perimenopause is no picnic. I was reminded of that fact reading a post by a dear cyber-friend over at the Magnolia Diaries. She has struggled through years of discomfort and is very honest and open about her journey. For those of you who are suffering, I strongly suggest you take a look at her blog.
The physical reasons behind all of that bodily turmoil are well documented. Gail Sheehy, the author of a number of books about life passages, tells us that estrogen is involved in a minimum of three hundred processes within the female body. So, it only stands to reason, when its levels are running amok with major fluctuations, many of the functions that were operating smoothly for thirty or so years are thrown into hormonal bedlam.
We ladies of a certain age know only too well the disruptions and tolls taken upon our bodies’ abilities to sleep, control temperature, manage moods, and various additional less than fun features of the experience.
So, to my sisters in the midst of this perimenopausal madness, I do want you to take heart. This too shall pass and there will be happier times ahead. Take it from one who’s been there and definitely done that—hormonal peace, emotional equilibrium, old dame confidence, and a renewed zest for living are waiting for you just around the menopausal bend.
I promise you’ll be hotter than ever—just minus the flashes!
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I have called in on this location on many an instance now but this post is the 1st one that I have ever commented on.
Congratulations on such a first-rate critique and site. I have found it to be very helpful and educational – I only wish that there were more blogs online like this one.
I never disappear from this blog without learning anything, from time to time I may feel a tiny bit saddened that I may not agree with a blog article or comeback that has been made. But hey! that is existence and if every one decided to agree on the same thing what a boring old world we would exist in.
Please maintain your admirable work.
Having said all of this, and if I’m kindly allowed to continue with my entries I will come again to post on your blog site soon
Cheers, have a great day and thank you.
Suzanne Langley
March 17, 2008
Thank you Eileen! I am looking to you as encouragement and hope. To be honest, I’ve not known too many women happy about menopause. I grew up with a, shall we say, slightly bitter example set by the women around me?
I have certainly suffered through these periomenopause years and unfortunately my family has suffered along with me.
If anything, these years have taught me to be thankful for those that have ridden the hurricane roller coaster ride with me and haven’t divorced me or run away with the circus.
I absolutely appreciate your enthusiasm and postive, upbeat encouragement. I need it. We all need it.
Nothing is more unattractive than a dried up, bitter old hag. That is NOT who I want to be and you just keep reminding me that I don’t have to.
Many warm wishes and thanks to you.
Magnolia
March 18, 2008
Amen! “I’m still Hot–it just comes in Flashes now!”
Beverly Mahone
March 28, 2008
Hi — I’ve been enjoying your blog and links. Here’s a “Test Your Menopause I.Q.” Quiz that I — as a newbie to all this madness — found pretty useful:
http://www.womentowomen.com/community/survey/testyourmenopauseiq.aspx
Jacqueline
April 29, 2008
Here’s the best article I’ve ever read about perimenopause symptoms/what to expect: http://www.womentowomen.com/menopause/perimenopause.aspx
Jacqueline
September 1, 2008