Anti-Aging in Venice, California

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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Nearby Results Your search returned 54 nearby results

  1. Gene Parks MD

    Marina Dl Rey, CA (About 1 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 822-5066

  2. Vincent Sghiatti MD

    Marina Dl Rey, CA (About 1 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 823-3443

  3. Karlis Ullis MD

    Santa Monica, CA (About 1 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 829-1990

  4. Mindy Boxer LAC, PHD

    Santa Monica, CA (About 2 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 450-9711

  5. Lichuan Fang MD

    Santa Monica, CA (About 2 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 899-9793

  6. Walcharee Mahamitra MD

    Santa Monica, CA (About 2 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 899-9793

  7. Janice Miyakawa MD

    Santa Monica, CA (About 2 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 899-9793

  8. Christine Paoletti MD

    Santa Monica, CA (About 2 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 319-1819

  9. James Moran MD

    Santa Monica, CA (About 2 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 310-3792

  10. Albert Phillips MD

    Santa Monica, CA (About 2 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 828-8585

  11. Andrea Stein MD

    Santa Monica, CA (About 2 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 828-1000

  12. Susan Tritt MD

    Santa Monica, CA (About 2 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 828-1000

  13. Nandini Verma MD

    Santa Monica, CA (About 2 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 828-1000

  14. Keith Deorio MD

    Santa Monica, CA (About 2 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 828-3096

  15. Graham Waring MD

    Santa Monica, CA (About 2 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 264-0165

  16. Joseph Sciabbarrasi MD

    Los Angeles, CA (About 3 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 268-8466

  17. Ruth Sorotzkin MD

    Santa Monica, CA (About 3 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 566-6330

  18. Hans Gruenn MD

    Los Angeles, CA (About 3 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 966-9194

  19. Dorrie Berkowitz

    Los Angeles, CA (About 3 miles)

    Phone
    310-820-2021

  20. Shiva Lalezar MD

    Los Angeles, CA (About 3 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 477-1166

  21. Judith Reichman MD

    Los Angeles, CA (About 4 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 824-3070

  22. Lori Musto DO

    Pacific Plsds, CA (About 4 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 454-1212

  23. Angela Agrios ND

    Pacific Plsds, CA (About 5 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 459-2942

  24. Andrea Rapkin MD

    Los Angeles, CA (About 5 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 794-7274

  25. Stuart Fischbein MD

    Los Angeles, CA (About 5 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 282-8613

  26. Irwin Frankel MD

    Los Angeles, CA (About 5 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 277-1421

  27. David Kline MD

    Los Angeles, CA (About 5 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 553-1432

  28. George Weinberger MD

    Los Angeles, CA (About 5 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 553-2777

  29. Maurice Levy MD

    Los Angeles, CA (About 5 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 556-8200

  30. Karl Norris MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 5 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 274-6245

  31. Eva Cwynar MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 271-5438

  32. Uzzi Reiss MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 247-1300

  33. Theodric Hendrix MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 652-3570

  34. Marshall Kadner MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 276-5544

  35. Richard Mettel MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 274-4818

  36. Peter Weiss MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 275-5595

  37. Susan Cohen MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 247-8920

  38. Anthony Chin MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 659-5810

  39. Paul Crane MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 659-5810

  40. Ruth Cousineau MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 657-1600

  41. Suzanne Gilbert-Lenz MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 657-1600

  42. Jay Goldberg MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 657-1600

  43. Robert Katz MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 657-1600

  44. Ryan Stanton MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 278-0077

  45. Nancy Goldman MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 652-9347

  46. Steve Rabin MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 652-9347

  47. Cathie Lippman MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 289-8430

  48. Michal Amir MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 6 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 289-0330

  49. Alan Schwartz MD

    Beverly Hills, CA (About 7 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 855-7504

  50. William To MD

    Los Angeles, CA (About 7 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 659-9625

  51. Violet Boodaghians MD

    Los Angeles, CA (About 7 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 274-9977

  52. Dolores Kent MD

    Los Angeles, CA (About 7 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 860-9490

  53. Layne Kumetz MD

    Los Angeles, CA (About 7 miles)

    Phone
    (310) 274-9977

  54. Emil Levin MD

    W Hollywood, CA (About 8 miles)

    Phone
    (323) 650-1788

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.

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