Menopause Myth #5

Menopause leads to other deadly diseases.

First of all, menopause is NOT a disease. It is a natural occurrence in a woman's life. It is a part of the aging process.

Depending on how intense your menopausal symptoms are, you may want to seek some type of treatment. I don't advocate synthetic drugs but that's just me. I have found natural herbal supplements coupled with a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits work wonders for me.

What is important to remember is you should take good care of yourself by eating healthy and getting some exercise. When I exercise on a consistent basis, my hot flashes are kept to a minimum. Exercise is also a wonderful way to help you maintain a healthy weight. Excess fat CAN lead to other medical problems.

To learn more about how to enjoy your menopause and to learn how to live drama free with a dash of humor, why not pick up a copy of my book, "Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age" available on Barnes and Noble.com and Amazon.com.

Menopause Myth #4

If you're under the age of 45, you're TOO YOUNG to be menopausal.

OH, SO WRONG!!!

It might be unusual for a woman to go through menopause before the age of 45 but it's definitely not impossible. There are women in their mid to late thirties who have been known to experience what is known as perimenopause. The symptoms include:

mood swings
depression
tension headaches
vaginal dryness
lack of sexual drive
inability to focus
night sweats
hot flashes
sleep problems
joint and muscle pain
irregular periods

There are actually 34 symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause.

If you're experiencing some of these symptoms, talk with your doctor. There is a test you can take to confirm whether or not you're going through the change. And don't accept medication as the end all answer for what ails you---especially if someone wants to give you anti-depressants.

For more information on how to enjoy your menopause, I invite you to purchase a copy of my book, Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com.

Let's enjoy this journey together!

Menopause Myth #3

There is a cure for Menopause.

No, there is NO CURE but there are measures you can take to ease some of the symptoms associated with menopause. For example, to relieve hot flashes cut back on spicy foods and alcohol. Since it's summer, wear lighter clothing. This also means wear brighter colors. Dark colors like black and brown draw heat and can make you even more uncomfortable.

Get up, get out and exercise and make sure you pump some iron. Also, it's equally important to maintain a healthy diet which should include lots of green vegetables and grains.

For more information on coping with menopause and other middle age issues, I encourage you to pick up a copy of my book: Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age. It's available on amazon.com. and Barnes & Noble.com

Menopause Myth #2

MYTH #2

If you haven’t had a period in several months, you can go off the pill and assume you’re in menopause.

WRONG!

For many women, irregular periods may last several years. The best way to determine whether you have gone into full blown menopause is when you have gone one complete year (12 months) without having a menstrual cycle.

Going off the pill during your erratic periods is not a good idea because you may be vulnerable to getting pregnant.

I’m Taking my Hot Flashes on Tour!

This week I'm kicking off my summer book tour with "Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age." Tagging along with me will be the seven dwarfs of menopause (along with some of their annoying cousins). I'd love to leave them at home with my husband but, just like me, he's had to endure them and, bless his heart, they've been harder on him sometimes than on me. So I'm packing them up and taking them with me. Oh what fun this should be...me, and hot flashes, having one HOT time!

On Wednesday, I'll be doing an interview on Fox 8 in High Point, NC and Thursday, I'll be in Charlotte on Fox 18 "Fox News Rising"...followed by a book signing ay Park Road Books. If you're in the area, please stop by and say hello...and drop off some of your own hot flashes!

And to top it all off I'll be turning the big 5-0 on June 21!

Myths about Menopause

Myth #1

When you go into menopause your sex life is over.

WRONG!

One of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause is vaginal dryness and the hormonal imbalance can trigger a lack of desire but just like everything else, you can overcome it.

There are plenty of vaginal creams on the market to help soothe the dryness and a vitamin E pill inserted in the vagina can also do the trick.

As far as the lack of sexual desire, you may have to work a little harder on creating the mood mentally and physically but it can be done. Take yourself back to a time in your relationship when the lovin was incredible and meditate on that. Also, don't be afraid to let your mate know what you like and don't like. If he loves you and wants to please you, he shouldn't have any problem doing it your way.

My husband makes me hotter than a hot flash because we have learned how to communicate effectively in the bedroom.


I’m Packin’ up my Menopause and Headin’ South

This week I'm kicking off my summer book tour with "Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age." Tagging along with me will be the seven dwarfs of menopause (along with some of their annoying cousins). I'd love to leave them at home with my husband but, just like me, he's had to endure them and, bless his heart, they've been harder on him sometimes than on me. So I'm packing them up and taking them with me. Oh what fun this should be...me, and hot flashes, having one HOT time!

On Wednesday, June 20th I'm making a guest appearance on the Fox8 Morning News Show in Greensboro/High Point. On Thursday, June 21, its on to Charlotte, NC where I will be a guest on Fox News Rising (Fox18). At noon, I will be doing a book signing at Park Roads Books, also in Charlotte.

Now it just so happens that Thursday, June 21---the first day of summer---is also my 50th birthday so I guess me and the dwarfs are all gonna be celebrating this new milestone together.

If you’d like to schedule me and my menopause crew for an interview, book signing or as a guest speaker, please contact me directly at 301-356-6280 or via email at bmahone@nc.rr.com

A Pill to Delay to Menopause? Whatever!

Apparently some doctors in London are in the process of developing a drug that would slow down the natural occurrence known as menopause. According to a report in the London Daily Mail...“The dramatic news came from fertility expert Professor Robert Winston. He told a conference that researchers had found a protein which they believe could be developed into a pill or an injection to extend the life of women’s eggs. This would give new hope for the thousands of women who find themselves left childless in later life.”

My question is, are older women really so desperate to have children? What were they doing in their 20s and 30s? Even if they discovered they couldn’t have children why would anyone want to wait until their 40s, 50s or even 60s to consider giving birth? Having and raising a child isn’t easy at ANY age!

I find it interesting that this new so-called breakthrough is being developed by male doctors. Is this a sick joke or another attempt by some to slow down the aging process for self-gratification?

You can read the complete article to the right of this blog.

Working Out Doesn't Guarantee a Long Life...

Earlier this month I wrote a post about baby boomers and death (May 8). I wrote it after observing a grave site service in which there were fewer than a dozen elderly people in attendance. I was reminded of that post today when I went to the gym.

I saw an employee I hadn’t seen in awhile and she was catching me up on the “gang.” I learned that my dear, sweet friend Marvin passed away. Marvin was an 84-year-old wonderful man who LIVED in the gym. He always had a smile on his face and was always giving you a hug upon entering and leaving the gym. We developed a bond. He even went to church with me a couple of times and I tagged along with him once to see how the Methodists worshipped. Marvin apparently died after having a stroke late last year.

Linda Ross was another gym buddy. I didn’t know her as well as Marvin. I just remember her rushing into our aerobics class after finishing her chemotherapy treatments. She died a few months ago of breast cancer.

And then there was the man I wrote about in my book, Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age. He was the one who worked out while carrying an oxygen tank strapped around his waist. I admired his tenacity so much. He inspired me to get off my fat butt. He, too, passed away.

I feel bad about having stayed away from the gym for so long. I never got to get my last hug from Marvin or to see Linda’s smiling face. I never got to let the man with the oxygen tank know I had written about him. All I can say now is if there’s a gym in Heaven, I know they’re all there and plenty of folks are being blessed by their presence.