Humor, Life, Menopause, My Book, Podcast

Podcast #38- 18 Months O’ Menopause

Writer McWriterson

Rants, Rita, and Realities – A Grace Full Life

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  1. Rants, Rita, and Realities
  2. Birds, Botox, and Bashes?
  3. 80's Names| My Name is on the List| Grieving
  4. Navigating
  5. Not My Mother's Menopause- Chapter Eight

Before I forget (because MENOPAUSE), I wanted to share this Listening Test I discovered yesterday with you.

What is that? A C minus?

Satisfactory. Yeah, pretty much what I expected.

THAT’S JUST HOW MY FACE LOOKS

Given that I recently wrote a post on Monday about listening, I thought it would be a fun little share.

Side note- I had a little too much fun recording this week’s podcast.

I’ve been officially in menopause for a year and a half, and nothing much has changed except that I still don’t get a period and my hair is thinner.

Oh wait, I did get a period once. That was fun. Being a woman is such a blessing.

The handling of perimenopause and menopause in mainstream media continues to dissatisfy me. It’s as though every magazine and website editor says to their writers, “Did you know that there’s this thing called perimenopause that affects women anywhere from their 30s to their 50s? Maybe we should cover that?”

What Is Perimenopause And How Young Can It Start?

Recently, my post Did You Know There Are 34 Symptoms of Menopause was trending on my blog’s “Stuff You Like” feed, which made me smile because I saw an article online that same day about how there are 34 symptoms of perimenopause and someone was shocked by it.

WHY ARE WOMEN CONTINUALLY BEWILDERED BY PERIMENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE?

Oh wait, I already know the answer to that. I believe most females also know the answer.

When I typed “menopause” into Pexels, this was the first image that up. Don’t get me started.
Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

So, in recognition of all of the shock and bewilderment that comes with losing our regular cycles, I chose to read my 34 Symptoms of Menopause post on the podcast this week.

If you aren’t a podcast listener, you can read about all of the symptoms here.

Here are some refreshing books that slipped through traditional publishers:

Fearless Menopause: A Body-Positive Guide to Navigating Midlife Changes a book by Barbara DePree

Estrogen Matters: Why Taking Hormones in Menopause Can Improve Women’s Well-Being and Lengthen Their Lives — Without Raising the Risk o a book by Carol Tavris and Avrum Bluming

And this was just fun (thanks for the find, Katie):

The Perfect Cocktails for Your Perimenopause Party

Have you experienced perimenopause yet? Did you have any (or all) of the 34 symptoms?

39 thoughts on “Podcast #38- 18 Months O’ Menopause”

  1. In just four short years I’m going to be 40 and it never stops surprising me over how fast time goes by. I miss having the body of a twenty year old (shape wise) but mentally I think my 30’s has helped me come into my own. My mother has not handled menopause very well but I see the lights and their coming for me next *sigh*. Im so glad someone has a positive experience with it and that you’re doing well.

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      3. OMG. Looking back now, I realize I had quite a few of those perimenopausal symptoms. My gyno at the time put me on zoloft or something like that then, but at least she did identify it as a symptom of perimenopause. I’m sure it will/would help people to know in advance what the symptoms are and how long they can last. Unfortunately, since everyone is different, probably especially when it comes to hormone levels, they are probably not easy to treat. I know “they” used to advertise something about natural hormone replacement theory for menopause. Makes me wonder/hope there may be something similar in the works for perimenopause. Do you know of anything like that?

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      4. Did you notice any improvement in your symptoms after starting your antidepressant? I’m only asking since a recent study found that antidepressants help lower hot flashes in women.

        I’m not sure if there is anything available on the market. I recall hearing about the risks of hormone replacement. I believe it’s only risky for those women who are predisposed to breast cancer, stroke, etc.. But I’m not sure if they’ve created anything natural yet. I know there are several supplements that help women during menopause that are worth asking your gynecologist about.

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  2. You do a good thing here by sharing links to information that isn’t all doom and gloom about menopause. Thank you. Pexels needs to fix their algorithms to reflect reality not a stereotype. 🤨

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  3. Being thrown into menopause due to a hysterectomy has wrecked me completely. My body is not my own and it’s completely changed my lifestyle. Fatigue, joint pain, insomnia, weight gain, brain fog, hot flashes…. I don’t even recognize myself anymore.
    I’m glad everyone doesn’t experience this, it’s no fun.

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  4. I’m 4 years in to menopause and have had very few of the symptoms listed, but I did have breast pain and no one ever bothered to tell me that was a symptom. What I will say is that after menopause, my body fell apart . . . Hashimoto’s, kidney stone, Meibomian gland dysfunction, breast calcifications requiring biopsies. It’s been a real blast!

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  5. I giggled at your song choices to go with the symptoms; you are so very clever!
    The symptoms I had were: hot flashes, thinning hair, weight gain, libido loss & irregular heartbeat.
    I’m a little over a year into menopause and allllll of those joyfully things are tagging along for what seems like the rest of my life. 😳

    I’m not sure if I ever shared this on my blog (I’ll look and see and if not, I need to share it) but a few years ago I purchased a Bedjet. IT IS LIFE-CHANGING. My own personal airconditioner while I sleep.
    Also, I take Dong Quai Root supplements; one to two a day and they help with the regular daily hot flashes, but you know, the night ones are the worst so: bed jet to the rescue.

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    1. Hey. I forgot about the listening test (was I even listening when you said it?) and went back to do it. I got an 81. I went and looked at yours again, and I’m sure you know this, you shared the SAMPLE report up there, that wasn’t your real result. Right? Or am I having a brain fart.

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    2. 2017 me was rather clever, given that I had 28 of the 34 symptoms.

      Suz, oh my goodness! At the end of all of this, there should be something nice waiting for us. Like a spa vacation. Or free alcohol for the rest of your life.

      I think you did talk about that! ALSO, have you heard of the ice rollers that you can roll on your face? I just ordered one on Amazon and I will report back. I guess it not only helps with hot flashes, but also makes you look younger and gets rid of wrinkles. I’ll be the judge of that…

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      1. Share when you can!! I keep a face mask in the refrigerator to put on my face some days when I feel pretty puffy; and it feels really good in general.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. I just clicked on your old post and it’s excellent. Love the music choices.

    I am in perimenopause and probably have been for seven years or so. A while back I only got my period every couple of MONTHS, now it’s every three and a half weeks. But, it’s a light period, so I am not complaining. It’s more of a mild nuisance, and after reading The Menopause Manifesto, it probably means I’m getting near the end.

    I don’t get too many awful symptoms, I feel like I can easily deal with or live with the symptoms that I have.

    I hate that our society puts a level of shame on menopause, like getting older and having a natural thing happen is shameful, just because we aren’t fertile young babes anymore. I think our generation is slowly changing this, by talking – or blogging, thanks Kari! – about it. Thanks for having this conversation!

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    1. Mild Nuisance. Is it possible to change the name of perimenopause to that?

      Fortunately, I believe Generation X is the generation that is altering the shame game. You’re a part of it. We are all. I’m honored to be a part of it. 🙂

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  10. I missed Friday – like a whole day, in lala land. I had a good reason, OK, it is a crappy thing that gives me the reason, but here I am. Making a comeback at doing the things I like to do.

    Oh, man. Menopause is SO confusing and rotten. Haven’t we already dealt with enough at this point in our lives? Cramps, heavy cycles, miscarriages, weight gain from pregnancy? I do enjoy how clever you are when you put the symptoms to music. Well done, you.

    I’d say I’m not sure if my digestive issues and sleep issues are menopause related, because I’ve struggled a lot over the years . . . celiac disease? Also, I eat a high fiber diet because of celiac so never sure which thing is to blame. Hair loss – for sure is from celiac being undiagnosed for so long. But at this point, toss in menopause and it could be a factor.

    Other symptoms. Lately, I’d say I’m a little depressed. But I’ve also had some tough stuff to deal with, like death and I’m not sure what is from what. I also have a lowered libido, which means I now also have a grouchy spouse. So, I’ve got that going for me. I might not be interested because I’M SO FREAKING TIRED. Am I tried because of menopause of because Lad’s dog wakes me up and Reg needed help with a project late last night and crazy people I sit for are insulting. It’s a lot aside from hormones, so toss that in and life is a regular party.

    I do like your point that we all have such different issues that it makes it a little hard to bond or know what one another are dealing with. Women rock, we have no choice.

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    1. I just read a book about my sign that suggested I try a gluten-free diet. I do wonder whether it might help with my headaches and acid reflux. Both of these symptoms were severe while I was in perimenopause, but my stomach problems have worsened now that I’m in menopause.

      When your children are out of the house, you will be able to devote more time to yourself. You’re currently on autopilot. It’s a completely different story when you’re attempting to parent while also dealing with hormone challenges.

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