Anti-Aging in Payson, 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.

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Local Results Your search returned 1 local result

  1. Lorraine Sumegi NP

    Payson, AZ

    Phone
    (928) 970-1460

Nearby Results Your search returned 56 nearby results

  1. Judith Ingalls MD

    Carefree, AZ (About 42 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 595-0431

  2. Dora White MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 45 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 473-8866

  3. Ravi Chandiramani ND

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 46 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 773-7329

  4. Kristina Rudgear MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 46 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 513-1042

  5. Decker Weiss NMD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 46 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 515-3600

  6. Ronald Peters MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 47 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 607-7999

  7. Martha Grout MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 47 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 240-2600

  8. Alan Christianson NMD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 47 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 657-0003

  9. Kyle Cronin ND

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 47 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 451-6161

  10. Micheal Cronin NMD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 47 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 451-6161

  11. Philip Wazny NMD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 47 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 657-0003

  12. Roxie Strand NMD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 48 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 607-0299

  13. Linda Wright MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 48 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 483-8986

  14. Yu-Ree Hyun ND

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 48 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 614-2322

  15. Victoria Trocoso DO

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 391-7631

  16. Nicole Barreda NMD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 281-1797

  17. Garron Hale MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 946-4774

  18. Julie Castilla MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 451-8454

  19. Julie Kwatra MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 451-8454

  20. Peggy Decarolis NP

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 860-4791

  21. Barbara Higgins WHCNP

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 860-4791

  22. Robin Parry FNP

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 860-4791

  23. Jennifer Simone MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 860-4791

  24. Rachel Spieldoch MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 860-4791

  25. Lee Yosowitz MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 657-0308

  26. Kerry Schlecht MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (602) 482-2929

  27. Kelly Colonello CRNP

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 993-2950

  28. Sima Aidun NMD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 451-1602

  29. Eli Ber NMD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 634-6172

  30. Stanley Olsztyn MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 948-0500

  31. Ty Tallman ND

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 219-2624

  32. John Robinson MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 874-1515

  33. Gino Tutera MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 49 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 874-1515

  34. Janet Richard NP

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 50 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 483-9011

  35. Thomas Lee NMD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 50 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 629-8882

  36. Amy-Jane Lilie NMD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 50 miles)

    Phone
    (800) 828-0553

  37. Sam Walters MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 50 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 946-9222

  38. Amy Terlisner ND

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 50 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 998-2020

  39. Catherine Dubiel MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 50 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 609-4853

  40. Helene Wechsler MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 50 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 990-1564

  41. Cheryl Deroin NMD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 51 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 951-0111

  42. Gerald Shockey MD

    Mesa, AZ (About 52 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 649-9000

  43. David Korn DO

    Mesa, AZ (About 52 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 354-6700

  44. Abram Ber MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 53 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 941-2141

  45. Gino Tutero MD

    Paradise Vly, AZ (About 54 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 874-1515

  46. Mark Cwynar MD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 55 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 946-5656

  47. Trudy Rumann-Heil FNP

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 55 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 874-2900

  48. Robert Ellsworth NMD

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 55 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 423-7060

  49. John Dye ND

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 55 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 970-0000

  50. Christine Sorensen ND

    Scottsdale, AZ (About 55 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 970-0000

  51. Mia Vaneken DO

    Gilbert, AZ (About 56 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 782-0993

  52. Christine Brass-Jones DO

    Mesa, AZ (About 58 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 539-6646

  53. Carrie Schallock MD

    Tempe, AZ (About 58 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 730-3331

  54. Farra Swan ND

    Tempe, AZ (About 58 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 820-0911

  55. Kenneth Busch MD

    Tempe, AZ (About 59 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 831-1844

  56. Colleen Huber NMD

    Tempe, AZ (About 60 miles)

    Phone
    (480) 839-2800

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