Menopause - a time of power

[razz]

I read Apple News and love the diversity of sources that are included. When a female in my 50's with minor impact from menopause symptoms, I felt that I could do anything that I chose to do. In my 70's, I still don't accept all the limitations that society has imposed on older women.

This article https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine...opause/596662/ explores very well all the influences that menopause has had in a woman's life socially, financially, politically and sees life as I do, full of possibility and adventure and hope.

Yes, I am aware that menopause can be truly awful for some women and I do empathize but can we, please, please, please, avoid discussing menopausal symptoms and comparisons and focus on the power of the menopause for the human race as this article is suggesting.

[rosarugosa]

That was an interesting article, Razz. As someone who decided at a very young age that motherhood was not for me, I did not have the same feeling about moving from a fertility stage of life to another stage.

[herbgeek]

Me too Rosa. Since I didn't want children, no longer being able to have them was a relief and a blessing. Menopause was a non event for this reason, although the marker of "aging" is still there.

[Yppej]

My hot flashes started in perimenopause, over a decade before menopause, so The Change was liberating, with no worse physical symptoms and the elimination of cramps and mess. I was looking forward to it for years, but everyone's experience is different. On 90 Day Fiance I see post-menopausal American women involved with younger foreign men who expect them to have biological children. One is trying to convince her daughter to be a surrogate mother and another is thinking of test tube technology. I am happy to be in the US where women can be valued regardless of their fertility.

[Chicken lady]

I have children. Once I was comfortable with the idea that I was not going to have any more, I would have been perfectly delighted to reach the end of my fertility. I have been looking forward to menopause for over a decade. I reached the post child(and no grandchildren) phase while still fertile. The two are not linked for me.

I have always been comfortable with my age as a number - perhaps because I was a withdrawn, out of shape teenager and 40 y.o. Me could have outperformed 16 y.o. Me at pretty much anything. 50 y.o. Me is a bit annoyed by the wear on the equipment though.

i was also raised around strong older women who did not make a big deal of menopause (apparently my mother in law was practically dying ��) and simply said things like “i’m done with all that.” In the same tone they would have used for washing diapers or teaching a child to drink out of a cup. - another messy annoying chore out of the way....

[catherine]

To me, this stage of life, after raising 4 children, represents freedom. I was just talking about this to my DIL, who is in the throes of raising young children. I told her about the day my DH was traveling and a friend of mine told me to get a babysitter, and we would go to the movies. I hadn't been to the movies in about 6 years because of my family responsibilities, and I balked at paying a babysitter just to see a movie. She talked me into it, and I'll never forget the experience. It was just a movie, but it could have been a day at the most expensive spa in the world. I'll never forget how I felt in the dark, with the popcorn and soda, watching Running On Empty. (Kind of an ironic movie title to be honest, now that I think about it--I had been running on empty--doing, doing, doing for everyone). During those two hours in that movie theatre, I felt carefree, calm, and ALONE.

As the kids gained their independence, I found mine as well. The actual physical stuff related to moving out of the childbearing phase was very minimal for me.

In 2012, I turned 60, and that was the year I got my permaculture design certificate. My general attitude about this stage of life is personal expansion. I've gotten Master Gardener credentials in two states, I volunteer on causes that I believe in, and, now without a dog, I'm pretty free to do whatever floats my boat, and I LOVE it. And my clients still value my work. At 67, I've booked more projects this year than I ever have.

Of course, I loved my childbearing years, and my children continue to be a source of great joy. But, as the song goes in Spamalot, I may be "elderly" according to doctors, but I'm not dead yet. Far from it. I'm alive, I'm living and I'm loving it. I loved the article, razz. Thanks for posting.

[Tammy]

My career is taking off since my mid-40s. I’m in my prime, career wise. Having a great time. Age 57.

I have two distinct phases to my adult life. 20s and 30s we’re raising kids. Which was also wonderful - I loved it.

Being older at work is great for me. People generally respect my years of experience.

[Zoe Girl]

I can wear white pants if I want to, I don't want to but I was always in awe of women wearing white pants when I knew they had periods

[Teacher Terry]

Once I had 3 kids we knew we were done so my husband had a vasectomy. I was glad not to worry about it. Menopause lasted 10 years and I had horrible hot flashes and lots of bleeding, etc. I spent a ton of time at the doctors. I was so glad when it was over. Once my kids grew up I loved my freedom and could focus on my career and friends. I also got dogs for the first time. A whole new life.