Anti-Aging in Drayton Plains, Michigan

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 23 nearby results

  1. Laura Kovalcik DO

    Clarkston, MI (About 4 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 625-6677

  2. Dov Schuchman MD

    Bloomfield, MI (About 7 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 334-4211

  3. Teresa Wargovich MD

    Auburn Hills, MI (About 7 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 377-0600

  4. Thomas Kavieff DO

    W Bloomfield, MI (About 9 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 926-6222

  5. Sungnan Park-Davis MD

    W Bloomfield, MI (About 9 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 669-5050

  6. Barb Zajdel DO

    W Bloomfield, MI (About 9 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 926-6222

  7. Richard Ng MD

    W Bloomfield, MI (About 9 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 851-1600

  8. Jeffrey Nusbaum MD

    W Bloomfield, MI (About 9 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 851-1600

  9. Mimi Kuykendall PA

    W Bloomfield, MI (About 9 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 932-9223

  10. Jeffrey Obron MD

    W Bloomfield, MI (About 9 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 932-9223

  11. Jerrold Weinberg MD

    W Bloomfield, MI (About 9 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 932-9223

  12. Mark Werner MD

    W Bloomfield, MI (About 10 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 855-5640

  13. Steven Hartz DO

    Oxford, MI (About 11 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 628-0220

  14. Corina Lazar MD

    Farmingtn Hls, MI (About 11 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 670-2134

  15. Helen Lee MD

    Farmingtn Hls, MI (About 12 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 848-0178

  16. Andrew Stasevich DO

    Farmingtn Hls, MI (About 12 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 626-7544

  17. Christine Matoian MD

    Bingham Farms, MI (About 12 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 723-6200

  18. Corina Lazar MD

    Southfield, MI (About 12 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 670-2134

  19. Annette Greenstein MD

    Beverly Hills, MI (About 13 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 203-0440

  20. Jacqueline Lockhart MD

    Farmingtn Hls, MI (About 13 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 539-8446

  21. Paula Fishbaugh MD

    Royal Oak, MI (About 15 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 584-7600

  22. Andrea Schiller MD

    Royal Oak, MI (About 15 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 584-7600

  23. Vijaya Gavini MD

    Novi, MI (About 15 miles)

    Phone
    (248) 465-4350

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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