Every woman knows that eventually she will enter the '
Change of Life'...
But what exactly does that mean? What changes? What happens during the '
Change'? How long will it last? These are questions that women find themselves asking physicians when they notice changes in mood/emotional states, menstruation cycles, physical appearance, etc.
The only problem with asking the doctor about these issues, is that he/she does not have any concise answers to provide you with. The so-called '
Change of Life' is actually Menopause which is by definition:
The period of natural cessation of menstruation; a passing of one phase to another.
... A passing of one phase to another. Sounds simple enough doesn't it? Well, for some women, menopause (the
Change) may come and go relatively unnoticed, like a thief in the night. Yet it may take its toll on others by wreaking personal havoc on them for months or even years.
Nobody can say with any certainty what physical, mental or emotional issues individuals will endure with the '
Change' or to what degree each difficulty will bring about. However, the one thing we can be sure of, is that it is only a "phase."
Menopause itself has two phases: peri-menopause and post-menopause. I can personally attest to being in the peri-menopause phase for the past 6 years. And my doctor can't give me a definitive answer as to when I will enter the post-menopausal stage (even though I keep asking him).
Some symptoms of
menopause include the dreaded
hot flashes which may be infrequent and brief for some, yet lengthy and nearly unbearable for others. For those unsure what a hot flash actually is - when you find yourself half-dressed, standing in front of an A/C or on the balcony/porch in the dead of winter, you'll know exactly what a "hot flash" is. To me, the feeling is as though I am about to instantly burst into flame.
Emotional outbursts and nasty moods swings can also be issues associated with the '
Change'. The most prevalent mood symptoms during perimenopause include irritability, tearfulness, anxiety, depression, feelings of helplessness, despair and loneliness.
Menopause can become physically problematic as well causing fatigue, insomnia, sleep apnea, listlessness, weight gain, joint pain, skin changes, bladder control difficulty, lack of motivation/ energy, change in sexual desire, memory loss and even eye/oral issues.
With this in mind, aren't you glad to know that it is just a 'phase' that will eventually come to an end?
A few years back I saw a documentary on the Women's Network about Menopause. A very intelligent female doctor spoke about the '
Change' in a way any woman could easily understand. One comment she made that really sticks out in my memory was on how woman should look at menopause in terms of "natural lifestyle adjustment."
She backed up this statement with factual accounts from individuals who viewed the '
Change' in a positive light. Almost as a means of "Coming into their own." Just as men sometimes endure mid-life crisis' but manage to emerge with a positive outlook on life, so can a woman.
Of course the '
Change' will impact each woman differently. But the one thing we know for a fact is that the phase will come to an end eventually. Once achieved the end result will depend on how a woman reacts to the experience and lifestyle adjustments made in response to them.
