What They Don’t Tell You About Menopause
At the age of 47 I began feeling like I was losing my mind. I was irrationally angry with my husband, cried all the time and felt complete despair some days. I was pretty sure it was the beginning of Menopause but every time I went to the doctor they told me the same thing- nope, your hormones are still very much there and levels are not near Menopause. So I chalked it up to stress and seasonal affective disorder. My husband probably thought I needed help but was too kind and patient to push me. I think the final straw was when I booked a vacation…alone…I felt as if I had to get out of my home and away from anyone. I honestly wanted to run away and never return. This is from a woman who dearly loves her husband and children. But I suffered in silence and took small actions to separate myself. Booking a trip alone was startling and very puzzling to my husband as we didn’t vacation without each other. So yes, this was a pretty big deal.
I lived this roller coaster of depression and mood swings for three years. My period was completely normal and on schedule until one day it just stopped. Usually women go through years of some months you get it and some you don’t so they at least have a warning, an explanation for their behavior. That the disruption of a normal cycle coupled with hot flashes would be a sign. But for the 10% of us who just stop- well you only get insight looking backwards. It then made so much sense and all I could do was apologize and offer thanks for my loved ones who experienced my behavior.
Here are my “things I wish I knew then” list of tips:
*Don’t be afraid to go on an anti-depressant to get you through this transition
*Eat as healthy as you can to keep shifting hormones stable
*Seek the help of a trusted therapist
*Be your own advocate
*Talk to your Mom to see what her experience was like. We often follow in her footsteps. Sadly mine had passed and I could not ask her questions
*Use and Integrative or Functional Medicine doctor who will look at you holistically versus only one set of labs.
I’m more that happy to talk to you if you need to vent, cry or seek advice. It’s a dark, lonely time and I never want anyone to walk through this alone.
