I realized that I hadn’t had a period in months. Seven to be exact. I thought about the times I wake up drenched in sweat and throw all the covers off (and positively snarl at poor Mark when he tries to sweetly cover me up). I thought about the insomnia and the forgetfulness.
I tried to figure out how old my mother was when she went through menopause, and it turns out that I’m more or less right on track. I do know, based on the absence of drama and complaint, she must have moved through this transition fairly easily.
Maybe.
I mean, this hasn’t been particularly difficult. The night sweats are a bit much, and it would be nice to remember my neighbour’s son’s name and the term for health care specific data exchange standards, but really. Given the hell I lived through in menstruation and pregnancy, this is easy.
I asked my doctor about this lack of period. My doctor, who is good and careful and thoughtful, kinda shrugged. I asked about blood tests and if there anything I should do and . . . . it turns out, no.
Am I in perimenopause? Maybe. Probably. It turns out that medicine, which was very interested when I could not conceive, when I lost baby after baby, doesn’t at all care about this part of my life. They are happy to warm me I could still get pregnant (and would probably forget the baby somewhere) and then leave me to it. The doctor told me if I hadn’t had a period in another 5 months to come back and . . .
I don’t know what she will do.
Maybe I can throw a party?
Yes, medical care or even *talking* about the things that happen to everyone seems to be lacking everywhere… and that includes menopause and also death. We are so ill-prepared for both eventualities. I started menopause at 45 years old and was finished with it halfway between 50-51. My mother was about the same age. My mother had a 5 year old starting kindergarten (me!) when she started with the hot flashes and I had a 4 year old adopted daughter when I did. So I think having small children helps to keep the mind off of it…. just too busy. *lol*
Pretty sure they put you in the perimenopause camp once you hit a certain age regardless of what your uterus has to say on the matter. But they don’t tell you about it because who has time to research all that women stuff? One of my friends posted an article several months ago about perimenopause and everyone nodded along and said we wished our own doctors were so clear. If I had a non-menopausal brain, I’d include a link.
We need to talk about this SO much more than we do right now…! Dr. Jennifer Gunter, author of “The Vagina Bible,” is working on “The Menopause Manifesto.” I can’t wait!!
LOL. I vote the party. You are right that it is not discussed nearly enough. The shoulders shrug, and you muddle through on your own, unless you have friends your own age. Or a blog. 😀