When I started having my first menopausal symptoms, I felt totally confused and concerned because it was all so new to me. I didn't have a computer then and the few news reports about HRT didn't really give me the answer to the question...."Which risk do I want to take?" So, I did nothing! As time went by, I saw that it was all a trade off. What I mean by that is, even though there were all new things happening to my body and to my life, I had been dealing with SOME kind of changes all along. I have really enjoyed not having periods, cramps, taking Midol,  not being embarrassed (like at school, etc). 

When the hot flashes started I was working in an office and wearing suits, pantyhose and heels. Yes, it was a bit embarrassing to have to fan myself constantly or go to the restroom to put cold water on my face, but that wasn't as bad as not being able to wear white shorts or go swimming or worrying about "leaking" through my clothes. 

The mood swings that we go through with menopause aren't really much different than having PMS each month, right? Some women have it worse than others and how you deal with it will make a world of
difference for the time it takes you personally to "reach the other side". I'm really not saying that there aren't some serious issues we have to deal with. I only hope you will not think of menopause as a life
threatening disease. 

I hope everyone will take the time to consider all the things going on in your lives and try to determine what is really unbearable, treatable or just something we can learn to live with. There's a "flow" to our lives and it
goes in waves that are sometimes hard to deal with, but I always think ofthe people who have real tragedies and dispair in their lives and I am grateful for the level of problems I have....thankful that my family is well and I have warmth and food and that I don't have a serious illness. 

The most helpful thing I have is my sense of humor and I hope to share itwith as many women as possible...it really DOES help to laugh atourselves (I do it at least once a day!). Our minds are very powerful and with practice, we can control the thoughts we dwell on....it always feels better to dwell on the positive!! It's also up to us to inform the next generation of young women who will someday be at this place! Just keep reading and sharing your knowledge and experiences with others!

Things DO improve, I promise!