Feb 06 2006
Menopause Is a Wake-Up Call
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Menopause Is a Wake Up Call
by Rebecca Hulem, RN, RNP, CMC
Richard Hooker
The above quote is the perfect reminder for all of us transitioning through menopause:
When it comes right down to it, the hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fuzzy thinking, sleep disturbances and decreased libido are all just downright inconvenient!!!
After all, we are women who are very busy and responsible. We have things to do, people to take care of, and places we need to be. The inconvenience of the physical changes and emotional chaos that menopause sometimes brings…
well, it’s just not on our agenda!
So what do we do? We look for ways to postpone these inconveniences as though we get to choose when and if we will allow ourselves to go through them. Our desire to postpone has been supported by the medical community with thousands of prescriptions for hormones and antidepressants. Am I suggesting that these medications are bad? Absolutely not! Every medication has the potential to make a profound and healthy change in someone’s life.
What I am suggesting (and what I get into in depth in my book, “Feelin’ Hot?â€), is the following:
- Every woman is a unique individual whose lifestyle, body and personal beliefs are significant factors in health care choices.
- Menopause is a “wake up†call that reminds women they have the right to take a proactive role in deciding how they live their lives, to make decisions, and embrace lifestyle choices for healthy living.
- Women need knowledge, tools, and guidance to discover their personal truth as they embrace this exciting “second half†of their lives.
So wake up, educate yourself, embrace your choices and enjoy!
(c)Rebecca J. Hulem, RN, RNP, Certified Menopause Clinician, has 28 years experience in the medical community and is the author of Feelin’ Hot and contributing author to two additional books. To sign up for her free menopause newsletter or for further information, please refer to her website at TheMenopauseExpert
(Rachael Flug is the wisdom behind Wisdom Springs , creating organic formulas for natural menopause treatment.)
Words of Wisdom
There are many myths about the Menopause journey. But these aren’t “our myths,” and I invite you all to throw them away and create your own. I would like to see women welcome this time as an opportunity to bring healing and balance into our lives. It is our time to identify and nourish our own personal Wisdom.
About ten years ago, when I turned 40, there were only a couple of ground breaking books on the topic of menopause. I remember reading one which sought to dispel the fears that women have about the transition to menopause. The book said that menopause is a positive experience and then went on to describe the hot flashes, night sweats and loss of sexual desire that you could expect to experience. It then looked at vaginal dryness, anxiety and depression… I closed the book and thought, Oh my God if this is the bright side of menopause please don’t tell me about the down side.
So here I would like to share with you some of the positive aspects of menopause:
No more birth control (but only after 12 consecutive months of no periods!)
Well, that’s one we can all accomplish. The rest are up to you.
You can stop trying to be superwoman now
You can become friends with your body
You can spend some time taking CARE of yourself
You can develop your inner strength and spirituality (through meditation or other contemplative practices)
You can let go of your regrets
For Your Health Some Easy DOs and DON’Ts
By now you have all probably heard the DOs and DON’Ts for women over 50. They go something like this:
DO exercise (even a little helps)
DO eat healthy (avoid hydrogenated fats – which are just about the most unhealthy thing you can eat )
DON’T smoke
DON’T stress so much
DON’T consume so much sugar or caffeine
You don’t need to set unrealistic goals for yourself… you’ll just feel stressed and guilty. Not everyone can manage four hours of aerobics a week. Doing any exercise (which includes a walk around your block) is Good and will help. Try to cut out some of your sweet treats and cut back on coffee, rather than eliminate it altogether. You don’t have to go cold turkey. Your body will be grateful for the small steps.
(Rachael Flug is the wisdom behind Wisdom Springs organic essential oil formulas for natural menopause treatment.)