The 'Pause that Confuses

Lipstick! That's surprising but not too radical, even I put on makeup from time to time, but razors?! Are ye daft woman? I hate, and I do mean hate shaving, plus also, I just don't see the point of trying to make myself hairless for no purpose. God put that hair on my legs for a reason--thats alls I'm sayin. But if it makes you feel better, by all means, shave.

In regards to the 'pause, if you want to, as soon as you're ready to formally acknowledge the transition, let me know, I'll put together a ceremony for you. I can see the look on "melcro"s face right now.

Yet another thing for you to process and integrate right now, I know, but this is an important thing happening, thanks for sharing it with us.

Anhata
www.familynaturally.com
Your Family's General Store, Naturally

I'm not entirely through the transition yet and won't be for at least a couple years. In fact I started spotting tonight. It's just weird, man! My mom has me using these things--and I like them! I'm so confused!

Lynn Siprelle, Editor

I'm not a big make-up addict either but it doesn't surprise me that all that hormonal chaos could make stuff like that happen. I know menopause seems like a thing that only happens to old women, but it really isn't - you know that logically, even if less logical bits are struggling with it. In your case I'd say it's benefits all the way really.

that said, although I'm also done having kids, I can't say for sure I wouldn't be sad if I started menopause this early, so be gentle with yourself until you've got used to the idea.

Kerri.

Eliza: I went through surgical menapause in 1985. Talk about full blown night sweats and emotional roller coasters! That was pretty rough for a 32 year old. There were the other emotions of not being able to have any more children. I had two healthy children so I felt blessed in that aspect. I was thrilled not to have a period any more but not so thrilled when the facial hair on my chin started to sprout! What women have to go through!! I is not any easier nor less traumatic when you go through surgical menapause. Mine lasted a year...the sweating and hormonal adjustment. Gee, I survived. Coping with this at an early age has let me help those now in my age group cope or adjust to their changes.
We all go through the change differently and at a different pace. It took my mother over five years to go through hers and it was the worse time of my teenage life.

...has returned, in spades. crikeys, body, make up your mind!!!

Lynn Siprelle, Editor

I'm on the cusp of menopause myself, but am feeling bad for my youngest who began her periods when she was only 10. She'll be having periods for a long time to come. Any thoughts on those pills that're being advertised that supposedly make you have less periods in a year? I'm sacred of them for our young women. How would they know if there was anything wrong with their bodies? What if they make things go wrong in the future?

I can't imagine that something which forces them to stop without a REALLY good reason is a good idea. Unnecessary medication too. Just having periods for many years isn't such a hardship - we've all been there. I would be worried about what kind of impact something like that might have on her future fertility, and few things would make me think that a risk worth playing with.

if she has very painful periods I guess you could maybe talk to her doctor about them, but get informed before you consider them seriously, and make sure your DD knows the pros and cons fully.

Kerri.

Most of the pills I've seen like that are birth control pills too. The thing to remember is that the "periods" that one has on birth control pills aren't really periods at all. They're withdrawl bleeding. You can get the same results as these new fewer periods a year pills by skipping the 7 dummy pills in traditional birth control pills cycle. A lot of OB/GYNs have been having their patients do that for years. The main downside to these pills, beyond the side effects and risks associated with ANY kind of birth control pill, is that should there be a failure, you wouldn't know as soon. You'd have to rely on breast tenderness, morning sickness, fatigue, etc, to let you know you were pregnant. Of course, since those can also be side effects of the Pill it gets tricky.