Anti-Aging in Mesa, Arizona
Menopause and Giving in to the Mystery
By Menopause Goddess, Lynette Sheppard
Early in my Menopause transition (euphemism for hellish maelstrom of horrifying hormonal events), so many things bothered me that I couldn't keep count. As the preliminary WTF freakouts of perimenopause and volcanic upheavals of The Big M are now mostly in my rear view mirror, I realize that some irritants that used to upset me simply don’t any longer. And that’s a real blessing.
For example, I used to be confounded and annoyed by the backhanded compliment "You look good…for your age." Now, heck, I'll take any compliment I can get without overanalyzing it for nuance or even honesty. I'll just focus on the "look good" part and thank the complimenter with sincere gratitude.
Being called ma'am initially was both disconcerting and horrifying. My mom is ma'am. And she just barely. I felt old and frumpy every time I was addressed in this fashion usually by someone only recently out of diapers, waiting on me in the store or bank.
But now, I gotta say, I'm okay with ma’am. You might say I've grown into it. Ma'am. Short for madam – now there’s a racy little thought. And when someone calls me "Miss"? I know they're just sucking up or trying to sell me something. I no way qualify for "Miss" anymore. Another thing in my rear view mirror and I don’t really miss it.
I've heard some of my friends and sister goddesses over the years complain about being invisible. And I've certainly experienced that evanescence myself when a clerk looks right past me to wait on some hot young woman. "Hey!" I'd want to yell. "I"m right here taking up space. Service me – or at least wait on me." (No I never did yell, I'd just clear my throat and say, "Excuse me, I believe I was here first." Which either worked or didn't.
However, now in my post menopausal incarnation, I find that I enjoy a certain anonymity, thanks to this decreasing visibility. I can slip in and out of places faster than a greased pig. Hawkers on the street miss giving me flyers. I love that.
And if I'm having a bad hair day? Or a fat day? Who cares? I'm invisible in the very best way and can just go about my business, carefree and happy. I don't have an image to keep up. I'm ma'am now, remember?
No, I'm not letting myself go – just letting myself be. So much easier when you aren't noticed that much anymore. Whew, what a relief. Forgetting things drove me absolutely stark staring mad in the beginning of my transition. Not so anymore. I'm used to it. I have workarounds to make my life work. I am the Queen of ritual and OCD in organizing stuff.
I just can't trust my formerly prodigious memory any longer to pick up the slack. And honestly, I can't get all worked up about it anymore. I exercise my brain as well as my body but neither are going to be in Olympic condition any time soon. Or ever. Hence the workarounds.
Lastly, not knowing the why of things sent me into an info gathering tailspin. Not all bad. I've learned (and shared) so much about the crazy Menopause journey through my incessant desire for understanding. And while I can learn and understand a lot, some things will remain incomprehensible. Maybe forever.
Like why I had hot flashes to the point of nausea and my friend Susan had nary a flush. Or why black cohosh works for some and not others. Or why I and others lose our hair while some women boast luxurious manes all their lives.
Overall, I've come to an acceptance that some things may never be clear. In a sense, I’m on a need-to-know basis – and apparently the great mystery has decided that I don’t really need to know. So be it.
Maybe the biggest change is this: I'm just going to enjoy the Mystery, however it plays out, whatever challenges or wonders await me 'round the next bend. That might be one of the secrets to aging gracefully. Maybe not. Then again, maybe.
We know how important finding the right provider and hormone health care is for you.
Our Health Provider Locator contains many types of professionals, please refer to the following list for explanation:
- MD - Medical Doctor
- DO - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
- ND, NMD - Naturopathic Physician
- NP, ANP, ARNP, CRNP - Nurse Practitioner
- RPh, PharmD - Pharmacist
Local Results Your search returned 3 local results
-
Christine Brass-Jones DO
- Phone
- (480) 539-6646
-
David Korn DO
- Phone
- (480) 354-6700
-
Gerald Shockey MD
- Phone
- (480) 649-9000
Nearby Results Your search returned 58 nearby results
-
Mia Vaneken DO
Gilbert, AZ (About 8 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 782-0993
-
Gladys Ceballos-Logan ND
Gilbert, AZ (About 9 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 503-4325
-
Matthew Mitchell ND
Chandler, AZ (About 11 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 636-1068
-
Valeria Wyckoff NMD
Chandler, AZ (About 13 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 857-2768
-
Carrie Schallock MD
Tempe, AZ (About 14 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 730-3331
-
Farra Swan ND
Tempe, AZ (About 14 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 820-0911
-
Celina Reyes-Hailey MD
Chandler, AZ (About 14 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 895-9555
-
Andrew Villa MD
Chandler, AZ (About 14 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 895-9555
-
Debra Wickman MD
Chandler, AZ (About 14 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 821-3600
-
Kenneth Busch MD
Tempe, AZ (About 15 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 831-1844
-
Colleen Huber NMD
Tempe, AZ (About 16 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 839-2800
-
Robert Ellsworth NMD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 16 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 423-7060
-
Mara Baier DO
Chandler, AZ (About 16 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 855-0177
-
John Dye ND
Scottsdale, AZ (About 16 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 970-0000
-
Christine Sorensen ND
Scottsdale, AZ (About 16 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 970-0000
-
Ravi Chandiramani ND
Scottsdale, AZ (About 16 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 773-7329
-
Abram Ber MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 17 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 941-2141
-
Mark Cwynar MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 18 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 946-5656
-
Trudy Rumann-Heil FNP
Scottsdale, AZ (About 18 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 874-2900
-
Gino Tutero MD
Paradise Vly, AZ (About 19 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 874-1515
-
Julie Castilla MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 19 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 451-8454
-
Julie Kwatra MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 19 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 451-8454
-
Cheryl Deroin NMD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 19 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 951-0111
-
Victoria Trocoso DO
Scottsdale, AZ (About 19 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 391-7631
-
Kelly Colonello CRNP
Scottsdale, AZ (About 19 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 993-2950
-
Lee Yosowitz MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 20 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 657-0308
-
Garron Hale MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 20 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 946-4774
-
Peggy Decarolis NP
Scottsdale, AZ (About 20 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 860-4791
-
Barbara Higgins WHCNP
Scottsdale, AZ (About 20 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 860-4791
-
Robin Parry FNP
Scottsdale, AZ (About 20 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 860-4791
-
Jennifer Simone MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 20 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 860-4791
-
Rachel Spieldoch MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 20 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 860-4791
-
Sima Aidun NMD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 20 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 451-1602
-
Eli Ber NMD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 20 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 634-6172
-
Kerry Schlecht MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 20 miles)
- Phone
- (602) 482-2929
-
Stanley Olsztyn MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 20 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 948-0500
-
John Robinson MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 20 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 874-1515
-
Gino Tutera MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 20 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 874-1515
-
Sam Walters MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 20 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 946-9222
-
Thomas Lee NMD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 21 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 629-8882
-
Amy-Jane Lilie NMD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 21 miles)
- Phone
- (800) 828-0553
-
Janet Richard NP
Scottsdale, AZ (About 21 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 483-9011
-
Amy Terlisner ND
Scottsdale, AZ (About 21 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 998-2020
-
Martha Grout MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 21 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 240-2600
-
Alan Christianson NMD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 22 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 657-0003
-
Kyle Cronin ND
Scottsdale, AZ (About 22 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 451-6161
-
Micheal Cronin NMD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 22 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 451-6161
-
Philip Wazny NMD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 22 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 657-0003
-
Catherine Dubiel MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 22 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 609-4853
-
Helene Wechsler MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 22 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 990-1564
-
Roxie Strand NMD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 22 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 607-0299
-
Linda Wright MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 22 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 483-8986
-
Dora White MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 22 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 473-8866
-
Yu-Ree Hyun ND
Scottsdale, AZ (About 22 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 614-2322
-
Ty Tallman ND
Scottsdale, AZ (About 23 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 219-2624
-
Ronald Peters MD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 23 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 607-7999
-
Decker Weiss NMD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 23 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 515-3600
-
Nicole Barreda NMD
Scottsdale, AZ (About 24 miles)
- Phone
- (480) 281-1797
When you have found a provider, it is critical to ask the important questions. To assist you, we've created our list Ten Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider.
For customized compounds like natural testosterone or estrogen you will need to find a compounding pharmacy. These compounds require a prescription from a licensed health care provider. For additional resources click here.
Please note: Women in Balance does not necessarily endorse or recommend any of these clinicians or resources. WIB is also not promoting any commercial product, entities or individuals. In addition, this locator tool is for the exclusive use of women looking for health care providers. Any unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
- Sponsored by: