Anti-Aging in Canjilon, New Mexico

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 21 nearby results

  1. Cathryn Veilleux NP

    Espanola, NM (About 38 miles)

    Phone
    (505) 747-3368

  2. Patricia Combs MD

    Los Alamos, NM (About 41 miles)

    Phone
    (505) 662-4412

  3. Susan Akins NP

    Taos, NM (About 45 miles)

    Phone
    (575) 758-5001

  4. Linda Friedman CNM

    Taos, NM (About 45 miles)

    Phone
    (575) 758-5001

  5. Wendy Kaggerud CNM

    Taos, NM (About 45 miles)

    Phone
    (575) 758-5001

  6. Shanti Mohling MD

    Taos, NM (About 45 miles)

    Phone
    (575) 758-5001

  7. Tim Moore MD

    Taos, NM (About 45 miles)

    Phone
    (575) 758-5001

  8. Sandra Hamilton

    Taos, NM (About 46 miles)

    Phone
    (575) 758-3005

  9. Lawrence Canfield MD

    Santa Fe, NM (About 59 miles)

    Phone
    (505) 795-7111

  10. Erica Elliott MD

    Santa Fe, NM (About 60 miles)

    Phone
    (505) 471-8531

  11. Hendrieka Fitzpatrick MD

    Santa Fe, NM (About 61 miles)

    Phone
    (505) 982-3936

  12. Mai Ting MD

    Santa Fe, NM (About 61 miles)

    Phone
    (505) 820-1200

  13. Shirley Scott MD

    Santa Fe, NM (About 61 miles)

    Phone
    (505) 986-9960

  14. Lenya Reese PA

    Santa Fe, NM (About 61 miles)

    Phone
    (505) 983-7276

  15. Candace Norris NP

    Santa Fe, NM (About 62 miles)

    Phone
    (505) 982-4200

  16. Barbara VanEeckhout MD

    Santa Fe, NM (About 62 miles)

    Phone
    (505) 982-4200

  17. Annie Rafter NP

    Santa Fe, NM (About 62 miles)

    Phone
    (505) 984-8262

  18. Lucia Cies MD

    Santa Fe, NM (About 62 miles)

    Phone
    (505) 983-1213

  19. Holly Purcell-Callin NP

    Santa Fe, NM (About 62 miles)

    Phone
    (505) 983-9460

  20. Alice Sisneros FNP

    Santa Fe, NM (About 63 miles)

    Phone
    (505) 474-4251

  21. Susan Kuhns NP

    Pagosa Spgs, CO (About 64 miles)

    Phone
    (970) 264-2218

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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