Where Did You Learn…
I was a bit floored; I’ll be honest with you. Last week, I created a survey entitled, “My Menopause Experience”. I wanted to get some input and feedback from women experiencing different stages of menopause that would help me with the best ways I could support them in this stage of their lives.
There were three questions I asked which I was especially surprised by the answers. The first was “Who taught you about Menopause?” The multiple choice answer was: A. Your Mother B. Your Grandmother C. Your Sister and D. Other (fill in). Over 70% of the women polled said either “no one” or they researched it themselves online and in the media.
The second question was: “Do you feel you had a solid understanding of menopause either before, or upon entering this phase of your life?” It was truly concerning to me that 77% of the women polled said “No”. Can you imagine how different each of their experiences could be or have been, with some education and guidance in the pre and peri-menopausal years? The symptoms they might/may have been able to eliminate or prevent? The realization that they are not alone in their experiences?
The third question was: “Would you say your gynecologist was helpful in guiding you in understanding and moving through this life transition?” The overwhelming answer? “No,” said 70%of the women polled. How could this be? Are we not asking the right questions? Could it be the doctors are just not forthcoming? I recently talked with a potential client who shared that when she voiced her concerns about the symptoms she was experiencing, her doctor replied, “That is what happens when you hit 50!” WHAT?! The poor woman cried in the doctor’s office, and then went home and cried the whole day.
This is NOT how it has to be or how it is supposed to be! Help and guidance are available! There is no need to accept those annoying, crappy, horrible and often times debilitating symptoms. If you are not getting the answers you need from your gyno, seek out another. Possibly seek out a Functional Medicine Doctor (good article to check out: http://www.doctoroz.com/article/functional-medicine-approach-menopause) or even a Health Coach. There is no need to suffer.
In the meantime, I’ll be working on gathering and sharing great info and supporting you, as you navigate this time of your life. As I wrote in my book, The Magic of Menopause: A Holistic Guide to Get Your Happy Back “as a menopausal woman living in the twenty-first century, I still have thirty percent of my life ahead of me. That is a damn long time! That is an extremely long time to have to deal with the effects that menopause may wreak in our bodies and in our lives. I want to live my life to the absolute fullest! I don’t want to have to deal with any symptoms that may keep me from doing just that. I want to help other menopausal women who are experiencing the effects of hormonal imbalances to have more energy, less stress, and to feel comfortable in their own skin. Ultimately, I would love for you to be able to live your life without limits! I want to help you live life the way you were meant to—with passion, purpose, and a healthy body and mind!”
Cheers & Love!! XO
Lorraine
P.S. Don’t forget to “Like” my Facebook Page: Making Menopause Magical. Keep informed and up to date on the latest health and menopause info!
