Pissed Off and Menopausal

2006-02-18T17:49:00.000-08:00

I have just passed that line we all get to if we're lucky enough to do so; careening headlong speeding downhill on the track that is our life. No question about it now. I've seen and experienced more of my life than what I probably have left to experience. It's time to give up those dreams of winning an Olympic medal, being a swimwear model, or even a ballroom dancer. If each year was a turn or a twist, I've seen some nasty ones almost spinning out of control and I've whirred through others seemingly asleep at the wheel. Yes, I just turned 50 and I'm in the rages of menopause. And I mean rages. All those old adages about "the change" aren't real until you are walking around in your own personal furnace having hot flashes, mood swings, and night sweats foist in your face and taking over your body without notice.

I have not been able to adequately work on the best wardrobe choices so that I don't get overheated during a "spell" or chilled in the "aftermath". I've been told to dress in layers. You'd think that with all the heat I'm generating, I'd lose weight, if not in expenditure of energy then sweat. Oh, no. I'm gaining weight. My body is revolting against itself in the thirst for estrogen. You take it for granted. Then something like nature or surgery forces the issue and that wonderous female elixir is drying up along with your ovaries. In my case, my ovaries were removed, so menopause was forced upon me.

It's true, ladies; if men went through this, they would have created a cure for this by now. Let me know your best and worst story about menopause. I love the co-miseration.