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Warning: This one’s for the women; women of a certain *ahem* age. I may need to rant. If you’re a little shy about women’s health issues, click here to read about football.
Still here? Ok please don’t say I didn’t warn you. 
I would like to file a complaint. I’m just not sure who to file it with.
I knew that when I was in my mid 40s or so, I would start to change. I expected it. I actually looked forward to it. What I didn’t understand is that this would be an excruciating process that would literally drive me batty. Oh and no one tells you that it might last as long as ten (10!!!!!!!!!!!) years.
First lets talk about sweating. I hate to sweat. Hate it, hate it, hate it. If I’m exercising, or at the beach, or sunning myself it’s not so bad, but if I’m in the supermarket waiting to check out? I. Hate. It. And let’s talk about my hair. I have very curly, often frizzy hair. If I spend an hour straightening it, first blow drying, then using the flat iron I expect it to last the day. Especially when I’m in the air conditioning. And I don’t know why but it seems to happen most when I’m standing at the check out in Publix. I imagine that everyone around me can tell that I’m starting to sweat and that makes me sweat even more profusely. I live in Florida so it’s usually pretty humid here – making my trip to my car even more sweat inducing, curling the little hairs around my face and reintroducing the cowlick in my bangs that I so carefully straightened only a couple of hours before.
Then there’s the night sweats. For years I have been unable to sleep unless there is a fan blowing directly at me. An insomniac since I was a child, this disturbs my sleep even more and I have allergies, so if I’m a little stuffed up, sleeping with my mouth open under the fan causes a sore throat. Yeah.
Jealous yet?
And the mood swings? Whew. I’ve often heard that the older a woman gets the less likely she is to put up with BS. I think menopause might be the reason. I find myself unwilling to put up with, for one moment, things that I would have brushed off for most of my life. If someone even looks at me funny, I’m ready to fight. I’m certainly trying to control myself, but if you see me and I appear to be sweating and my face is a bit flushed, try to be nice, ok? I’m not asking anyone to kiss my butt. Just. Be. Nice. If you’re not, you have been warned.
So what about you? Are you suffering from menopause symptoms? Either your own, or someone’s who’s near and dear to you? I’d love to here your story. Are you a part of a menopause community that you’d recommend? Group therapy might be in order.
Full Disclosure: Writer got fed.
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Photo Credit: JasonDGreat
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I’ve just begun to get the “warmth”. It happens mostly in the evenings but it’s picking up. Thankfully so far it hasn’t been the full out sweat thru my clothes but I know it’s coming and I’m just not ready!
I also get frizzy hair but the past year I’ve been getting Keratin Complex at the salon. About twice a year. Expensive but SO worth it to ME. I don’t get the frizzies like I used to (unless it is just about time for another treatment). Of course the going for 3 days without getting it wet (even sweat) or crinkling it (like pushing it behind your ears or using a bobby pin) is tough it’s worth it for several months of no frizz.
daisy´s last [type] ..Look who’s 1
I’d love to try the Keratin. I keep saying I’m going to, but then I chicken out. My hair grows so fast. I’d hate to get it once and then not be able to afford the upkeep. And, my regular hairdresser told me she’d charge me about $400 due to the amount of hair I have. boo.