Back in July I wrote a blog post about the Poise “The 2nd Talk” program encouraging women to be open about menopausal changes. I got lots of marvelous feedback from readers from that post, so when Poise asked if I would like to continue to be part of their campaign encouraging women to talk about menopause, I jumped on the bandwagon. I think women can learn so much from each other, and having “The 2nd Talk” is something we all need to do.
Since I originally wrote about this, things have changed a bit for me. At that time, I explained that I had a hysterectomy, went on hormone replacement medication and unsuccessfully tried to go off the medication. This fall I tried again to go off the hormone medication. I felt more confident to give it a try because I knew Poise had come out with some new products, including Roll-On Cooling Gel, Personal Lubricant, Feminine Wash, Body Cooling Towelettes, and Panty Fresheners that might help if I did run into some problems.
After consulting with my doctor, I moved to the lowest dose of medication. After doing that for two months, I moved to just half of a pill. After six months, I went off all medication. I waited for the menopausal symptoms to kick in…Last time I tried, the feminine dryness had me convinced I had a case of a neverending yeast infection so bad that I couldn’t stand it. Last time the mood swings weren’t any fun either. Little did I know that each of those problems were menopausal symptoms. I talked to my family and let them know about my change in medication, asking that they talk to me if they noticed anything different about me.
A day passed. All was well. Two days passed; still okay. Then a week and then a month, and now it’s been three months. I’ve waited and waited for the mood swings, hot flashes, vaginal dryness. Amazingly, I have not had any menopausal symptoms.
When I talked to my doctor about going off the medication and she asked how I was feeling, the best way I could describe it was that I just have a “new normal.” I honestly don’t have typical symptoms. I can say that I think I cry a little easier, and I am also warmer. I used to ALWAYS have cold feet in the winter. I would sometimes wear two pairs of socks and slippers, but not anymore. I don’t have hot flashes, though; I’m just warmer in general.
How about you? Where are you at in this stage of life? Past it all? Worried that menopause is coming? In the “heat” of things? Poise has a great website that can answer many of the questions you might have. They even have coupons and free samples there. Poise truly wants to help you cross over into a new stage of life.
If you leave a comment here answering the question “How are you approaching life’s changes confidently?” you will have a chance to win one of the $100 Visa gift cards from BlogHer.
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It’s so nice to find out that there’s, products to help with menopausal symptoms. I would have loved to have known about them 7 1/2 yrs. ago. I went into menopause at 40 as a side effect of chemotherapy (for breast cancer). The doctors don’t tell you anything, just it will eventually go away. Not really what you want to hear, or very helpful. I couldn’t go on any type of therapy because my cancer was estrogen positive. Like you Jo, I’m now just warmer altogether. I still occasionally have times when I feel i’m being cooked from the inside out. I’m going out today, I’ll check out some of the Poise products. Thanks so much for helping us girls out, I’m sure I’m not alone. ;-> Toni Anne
My counsel for those approaching menopause is to be very aware of the medicines you are taking and their potential affect on your body as you go through menopause. Recently, a study was published about a link between Statin drugs for chloesteral and type 2 diabetes. I wish the publish had been published four years earlier when I went through menopause so that I could have had the conversation with my doctor. I don’t know if the Statin drugs caused my type 2 diabetes, but it would have been nice to have been aware that medication can have impacts on your body as you go through menopause. Thanks for being an advocate for women as we go through such a life changing event.
The one thing I tell my girls regarding menopause is that the symptoms may start in your late 30’s “peri-menopause”. For me, my regular as clockwork period began to change as did how heavy it was. I think that women need to know this as they postpone their families and then find that they aren’t able to conceive.
I had a hysterectomy many years ago for fibroids the size of grapefruits but got to keep my ovaries. Eventually they gave up the ghost and I started with “the change”. I too always had cold feet, and had to have a heating pad for them even in the summer. The new normal with “the change” was for me to wake up in the middle of the night with hot flashes in my FEET. I’d have to get up and go look at them in the bathroom to make sure they weren’t glowing – they felt like lava. That progressed to warm flashes all over, but that was about as bad as it got. Never got as bad as one of my high school girl friends who told me she thought she was melting and was going to die. Thank you for being so open and informative!
Well, I’m still waiting for things to “get bad”. I went off the Pill this past summer at a little past 50 years old. I haven’t had a period since and the only “symptom” I’ve had is hot flashes, but I call them heat waves – it’s not a flash, it’s definitely a “wave”. They are very frequent but not too terribly bothersome. Other than that – nothing. No mood swings, no dryness. Hopefully things stay this way – this I can handle o:)
I appreciate the topic and insight. I had a total hysterectomy only two weeks ago. I am taking hormone replacement and feel great so far. I love the fact that women are talking about this and that there are products that may help when we need it. With this kind of openess and support we can all be confident about lifes changes.
I have definitely felt the heat waves too! It seems like my body’s thermometer is not functioning as I can be freezing or roasting. That also makes my rosacea worse. One thing that has helped me sleep much better is adding soy to my diet. I either have some miso soup or a dish with tofu in it. Chocolate soy milk work too.
Thanks for the info that you provide for all of us.
I’m taking extra vitamins and herbal supplements.
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/293766673352241152
After working in an “icebox” for years while a co-worker dealt with her menopause symptoms, I swore I would never inflict that on anyone else. So I resolved to relish my “caribbean moments” (and I do most of the time, except when they make me look guilty about something when I break out into a sweat!) and dress in layers rather than turn down the AC. I do run the heat a little lower in the winter and have convinced my hubby he should put on a sweater – that little change has saved us a lot of money! And I reminded myself at the beginning that if I wanted to kill more than one person in a 45-minute period, it was probably me and not them!!
I take evening primrose oil and vitamins
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/293787542812250112
I am approaching life’s changes with some concern, but I am eating right, getting a bit of exercise, really trying to take care of myself, to make the change easier.
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
2nd entry tweet – https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/293793583138488323
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
I have open and frank conversations with my doctor each year at my annual exam. I did quite a bit of internet research on the subject. I think every woman responds different to the changes that occur and you have to do what is best for you and not compare yourself to others, or judge others by what you are doing. I’m using a patch that helps and am trying to ween off of it after many years on. I think the moodiness is finally gone. I hated that the most.
I loved menopause! My periods ended when I was 48, I’m 60 now. I had very painful periods because of polysystic ovaries, so it was a blessing to finally be done. I was lucky in that I had no hot flashes, no meds, no mood swings other than my usual. I also had irregular light periods going through menopause, unlike some of my girlfriends whose were extremely heavy.
Thanks for having this discussion. I started going through menopause about 10 years ago, and new nothing about what to expect- had to learn as I went along. I’m finally off the estrogen- still have an occasional flash, but nothing like it was!! I can handle this stage :)
I am back on the lowest dose of Prempro because the hot flashes or sweats were unbelievable. I have tried to get off twice now. The first time another doctor just had me go cold turkey. Talk about mood swings and sweats. I would be drenched all day. When I tried the last time it was better but the alternative to no pill is just not worth it to me. I should probably try a pill every other day for awhile and see how that goes. Maybe at 64 I could have outgrown them. LOL!! I so wish. You all have my sympathy out there this has not been fun.
I was lucky about having menopausal symptoms but had to have a hysterectomy for endometrial cancer. Afterwards sneezing and leakage became a problem. So more surgery.
Light weight panty liners are a blessing. I know that many other can’t walk and sneeze at the same time. Thanks to Poise for a variety of products.
I am approaching life’s changes confidently by staying in shape, eating well and staying open-minded.
I hit menopause on my 40th birthday, and when my hormone levels were checked 6 months later they were down very low, so I started on Premarin, then Prempro, then Prefast, which I liked because it was a low dosage made from plants. It’s the heat waves that I find bothersome. My mother did not tell me these would last the rest of my life. I am now 58. I stopped all the pills about 10 years ago. There is certainly a lot more information and help available to us now!
tweet
https://twitter.com/kellydsaver/status/293925805782876161
by focusing on the positive!
https://twitter.com/DesMoinesDealin/status/293929824345542657
I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 40…I can positively state that my husband and kids went though hell for 6 months while my doctor and I struggled to find the right HRT. I was on HRT for 8 years and went off the meds by myself. No mood swings and an occasionally “personal summer” but nothing extreme. At 58 I might get “warm” 3-4 times a year and I love it! I think that if I had been able to go through menopause naturally, it would not have been too difficult. I am so glad that someone is now talking about it – it would have been nice to know what to expect and how to deal with it!
trying to lose my baby weight, and kicking the negative people out of my life :)
tweet
https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/294084013579177986
My activities for approaching life’s changes confidently include nurturing my relationships with family and friends, intentionally cultivating my spiritual life and pursuing creative projects: sewing, applique, embroidery, quilting and knitting. Thanks for your post.
With grace and the love of my family! Also, being warm all the time sounds fabulous…I’m always cold
I take a daily vitamin and exercise regular. I try to stay positive and embrace life!
tweet
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/294130262718173186
same as always, just rolling with the punches, life is always changing! thismomwins@gmail.com
tweeted https://twitter.com/thismomwins2/status/294139747956322305
thismomwins@gmail.com
I just hope to take it a day at a time.
chambanachik at gmail dot com
Thank goodness it is over. No major issues
eat better and exercise everyday
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/294202145069232128
I’m confident because trillions of other women have gone through it and survived just fine. I’m trying to accept aging with as much grace as possible.
I’ve been reading websights and books about menopause. I have looked forward to menopause since my first cramp at age 11! My whole life since then I have hoped to go through womanly phases easily. So far, I have been treated for endometriosis that caused infertility, a high-risk pregnancy, a difficult labor and delivery, and now for the last five years extreme brain fog during particular times of the month, waves of hot and cold that last for days, and cramps that last for two weeks out of four. I’m fostering one last hope that menopause will come quickly and symptom-free, but given my track record, I am bound to be miserable until I am 70!
I do have a question for you: did they leave your ovaries when they did the hystorectomy? My are still with me, but since I dont have periods any more, I’m having a hard time figuring out when my hot flashes might be coming (if they are connected to a certain time of the month). Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences. We do need to talk more about it, especially for those of us who don’t have mothers alive for us to ask how their menopause went for them. Have a great weekend!! Hugs, H in Healdsburg
My biggest life change right now is having my first child (so no menopause just yet!)! I’m finding confidence in preparing for that by taking time to research it and work through my feelings/fears beforehand, so that when the time comes, I’ll (hopefully) be more ready for it!
https://twitter.com/atlantagalknows/status/294802966156824577
I have not had an easy time of it. I am still going through it. I have contacted my doctor regarding different issues and each time she says that what I am experiencing seems to be a symptom of perimenopause with menopause coming on. Some days are good and others really not so good. I just have to take it as it comes. I am not taking medication due to a health issue (unrelated) so I have to do things naturally. I am taking it as it comes.
I am approaching life’s changes confidently by thinking positively. It might be easier said than done. But I’m trying my best.
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted: https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/295034104288776194
amy [at] utry [dot] it
I’m just taking it one day at a time – and hoping that my symptoms aren’t as bad as my moms were!
I am trying to approach it with a good attitude. Hopefully there will be a lot of laughs along the way, otherwise I will be complaining non-stop! Knowing that there are bloggers out there sharing their experiences will help me and a lot of other women. It is good to have a community of women not holding back and able to share! I am glad to see Poise is making products to help women get through this as well!
Having had a TAH/BSO at a relatively young age and plunging straight into menopause, I wish this 2nd talk had been around then. I learned the hard way that one of the medications I was taking to lessen menopause symptoms was absolutely thrashing my short-term memory and even my vocabulary and ability to function. So I am moving confidently into the future now that I have taken greater control of my life by reviewing my treatment plan, discussing it with my doctor, and opting for hot flashes over fuzzy thinking.
I keep up with daily exercises and have balanced meals to prepare for life’s changes.
https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/295749634381447169
I have definitely had the heat waves hit about 2-4 am. At least I am not stripping and running around naked, yet. Have had a couple “quilty” friends sew naked while alone and having hot flashes. Thanks Jo, for all you do for us.
I am taking vitamins (especially vitamin D) to help with mood changes and I go for acupuncture every once in a while to help with night sweats. I have lost weight recently and am exercising every day to keep it off, gain confidence, and help with mood.
I talk to my mom to get confidence, she went through changes fine and has great advice. Reading others’s stories on poise would help too.
songyueyu at gmail
tweet: https://twitter.com/syytta/status/297281723270586368
songyueyu at gmail
I am approaching life’s changes with a postivie attitude I’m trying to eat right, get some exercise, take vitamins and get enough sleep to make the changes I’m going through easier to get through.
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/297904949755535360
I am accepting that change is a way of life, good or bad. We must embrace change and not try and fight it. That is the attitude I am trying to take anyway!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 @ gmail dot com
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/299167394377654273
I had really thought I was past the age of having any symptoms of menopause, but then found out I was just later than the average bear to have them :D). I had a hysterectomy at an early age but they didn’t take my ovaries – so again thought maybe that was saving me from the dreaded night sweats. But needless to say about 4 months ago I started having them. During my yearly check up I talked to my Dr. about them and he recommended I try using hormones replacements through creams instead of pills. Which I did and am thankful to say that I no longer have any problems with night sweats and mood swings are MUCH better. I have cut back even now on how often I use the creams. Very happy with these results.
I’m over it all and so glad to be done with that stage of life. I will say I’m like you generally warmer than I was before, but never really had hot flashes.
it can be weird and scary but just stay positive and try to be happy
Find humor and enjoyment in the little things in life and keep smiling.
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
Tweet: https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/299998013319958529
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
Menopause has not been a problem. I went through it with ease and no hot flashes.
Went through with out a problem…
I have to admit that I’m not really approaching it with confidence, but it sounds like these products would be a great help! Thanks so much for sharing and for a chance to win!!!! kmassman gmail
Vitamins, plenty of rest and a sense of humor help with all of life’s changes :)
https://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/301906771491037185
eating healthier, taking vitamins, and taking it one day at a time.
dlatany at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/302131402906943490
dlatany at gmail dot com
for me, i believe the best thing to do is be as informed as possible BEFORE it even starts. these used to be very taboo subjects and while that’s changing, we’re not quite there yet. so by staying on top of everything and being proactive, it’s much less daunting and a lot less stressful!
i “tweeted” about the giveaway here:
https://twitter.com/anorthowife/status/302178746352414720
I’m reading everything I can about menopause.
I am learning what my mom and grandma went thru to,see if there experience is hereditary…hopefully not !
Oliviatheservicedog at hotmail dot com
I’ve been taking better care of myself both physically and mentally – I’ve been working out and telling myself to take a break every once in a while!
https://twitter.com/jfong1130/status/302619501764153344
I’ve already gone through menopause and I thought I had a fairly easy time of it. But after talking to my daughter recently I realize that it wasn’t quite as smooth as I had thought.
More knowledge ahead of time would definitely have helped.
i am keeping a positive attitude that i’ll get through it, been through worse health issues and once this is over i get no more monthly friend
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/303584935103582208
quite honestly, I am 55 years old and still having my period on a regular basis…I take one day a time…and try to keep my attitude positive.
i like to take it easy, not get stressed over things! hopefully when i approach menopause i will have it easy and if not these products seem like they would be helpful
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/anashct3/status/303840444645797888
Thanks for the chance to win!
email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
One day at a time, I am taking small changes in my life though such as drinking more water to help with the change.
i am still young but the bodywash sound great
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/303965565834387457
I moisturize my skin daily, drink lots of water and walk several times a week
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet
https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/304002128135987200
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
To feel confident I try to keep my skin healthy looking by using lots of moisturizer and sunscreen.
I’m exercising and eating less sugar to be confident.
https://twitter.com/prizepuzzle/status/304046998158450688
Haven ‘t gotten to menopause yet – will take it one day at a time. Thanks for all the info about products that help out!
debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot)com
i tweeted here:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/304078306930737156
just trying to stay healthy
I try to stay consistent with exercise, and I dress in layers for those days when I’m hotter than usual!
I’m approaching them with the knowledge that I’ve enjoyed life so far, so what if it gets a bit more complicated as I age :)
tweeted
https://twitter.com/MelindaJoy926/status/322762018627125248
mjf926 at gmail dot com
I get plenty of sleep, one moment at a time and knowing this too shall pass..
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Tweeted here
https://twitter.com/gmissycat/status/327024076176629761
gmissycat at yahoo dot com