It’s hot in here. I’m sweating, who turned up the heat?! You wake up and your PJs are wet. Having trouble sleeping straight through the night? The number on the scale is going up. Increased irritability. Lowered sexual drive. Some of these things point to one cause; can you say menopause.
Menopause is a fact of life for women. Whether it is surgically induced or natural, it will catch up to you at some point in life. You can’t control when it is going to happen but just know that it is inevitable. The good news is that there are some things you can do to reduce symptoms. The duration of menopause is different for everyone. Also, not every woman has the same symptoms.
Menopause comes with more than just the physical manifestations, it comes with emotional problems too. A sense of aging for one. Most women do not want to deal with getting older. Some women worry about reduced libido and the ability to enjoy sex at this stage of life.
I urge anyone out there having difficulty with these symptoms to talk to your healthcare provider. Please do not suffer and think that you are alone. There are options available but no one-size-fits-all approach. If you know someone who has gone through what you are experiencing, talk to them.
It’s Hot in Here
Hormone replacement therapy is one option to help with the changes the body goes through during menopause. If this is not right for you, don’t fret. There are over the counter remedies you can try at home. With so many products out there, choose wisely. Remember, talk to your healthcare provider to find the right course of action for your unique situation.
Dietary supplements can help with some of the most common symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Personal lubricants can help with vaginal dryness. If you experience depression, please seek support. It helps to verbalize your feelings and helps in finding a solution.
Menopause does not have to feel like the end of your vibrant life. Some women have low to moderate symptoms while it affects others more severely. You might find that your sex life is more fulfilled because the worry of pregnancy is gone. You might find that you are sexually freer.
In closing, menopause is a natural progression of a woman’s life. Take it in stride. If you have already gone through this, share with the ones who may be struggling with the effects. You can have a normal life after menopause with a few adjustments.
Image credit: Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are not medical advice. Always consult with a licensed medical professional for your healthcare needs.
Correct me if I’m wrong but, we are in the year 2022? And this is the United States? This is not a country that discourages women to educate themselves, right? Is anyone listening?!
So, why is there this controversy about a woman’s right to have an abortion? There should be no question about a woman having the right and freedom to choose what she does with her body. Abortion rights should not be in the hands of government. How did we get here as a country?
Past and Present
Well, let’s see… Women have not always had the same freedoms and privileges as their male counterparts. The 19th amendment gave women the right to vote. Playing sports for women came around the year 1920. Women were finally made a part of the military in the year 1948. Some countries still try to block women from getting an education. Also, women make less money than men and are just as, or more qualified for the same job. Why is that?
Why are women’s rights being rationed and then stripped away? It is not fair that we are regulated in this way. Where is the gender equality? We have brains just like men and are capable of thinking for ourselves. No, we don’t have the brute physical strength of men, but we have made a lot of strides and impactful progress in the world!
A woman should have the basic human right to decide what she does with her body. If she becomes pregnant, she should not have to resort to unsafe, unhealthy and dangerous solutions in an attempt to abort the pregnancy: if she so chooses. The choice to either carry a pregnancy to term or abort it, no matter the reason, should be that woman’s choice.
Not some government!
Everyone has their opinion as to whether abortion is right or wrong. Whether it is right or wrong as it relates to religion. Whether it is the right economical choice. Is it right morally? Whether it is right or wrong physically. Whether it is right or wrong mentally. Such a decision when it relates to abortion is a deeply personal one. It is between that woman and her maker.
Not some government!
No matter what the law is in your state, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) can override the local state law for emergency purposes. It is a protection for any provider who may perform an abortion. The original premise of the EMTALA was to provide treatment to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. This enabled people to receive care and not be turned away.
Why Now?
The Roe vs Wade decision has been overturned. Why now after so many years has this happened? It makes no sense. This decision is going to impact a lot of people all over the world. We are dealing with so many other issues and now this is another concern.
Women are valuable human beings but are being treated like we are incapable of making our own decisions. The overturning of Roe vs Wade complicates so many things for so many people. This world will face overpopulation and poverty levels are going to rise. Sadly, some women will lose their lives because they are carrying a pregnancy that might be medically dangerous. Other women will die trying to have a procedure done in unsafe ways.
Some women may not be able to seek emergency abortion care under the protection of EMTALA. The decision to overturn Roe vs Wade was not made with the well-being or best interest of women in mind. “The powers that be”, aka “the government”, sit around and make decisions for an entire group of people. Making decisions without any thought of how it will affect not only their family, but families all over the world.
Currently, families are struggling financially to put food on the table, and clothes on their backs. Struggling to gas up their cars. Stressing about the cost of housing and wondering if they will make next month’s rent or mortgage. Now, add to it the number of women who are stripped of a fundamental human right to choose what to do with their own bodies. Now, you tell me what is wrong with this picture!!
We have a lot of work to do in this country. Gender equality should not be up for debate. Yes, we are women. No, we are not trying to assume the roles of men but just want to be treated fairly. We want our voice to be heard. Not forced into something that “some government” told us we have to do under the law. It just begs the question, what right do you have to be a woman?
It’s time for us to check some health exams off of the list. If we don’t take care of ourselves we certainly can’t take care of everything else in life. Being a woman comes with a lot of responsibility. We owe it to ourselves to make sure that we both look and feel good. Kids, family, career, spouse/significant other are all very demanding. We can handle it though. It’s not easy but we can do it. We have days when we might not feel up to it and that is ok. But, keeping up on our health is important. If we don’t feel well it affects our quality of life.
Physical Exam
A yearly physical exam is usually performed at your primary care physician’s office. The doctor will check your vitals, blood pressure, pulse, and listen to your chest through the stethoscope. Also, they check your ears and eyes as well. Some PCPs will perform a breast exam, if you request it. At the physical the doctor will ask you general health questions about any medical family history of certain illnesses. This helps the provider assess your risk of developing health issues. Also, blood tests and/or urine tests will be done at this visit.
Why get a physical exam?
It helps to find out if there are medical issues that need to be addressed. You can learn things about your body like whether or not you are anemic, in which case you might need to take some kind of iron supplements or get the needed iron from food. You might have high blood pressure or maybe your blood sugar is too high or low. Just simple blood tests can help you determine if your cholesterol is too high. This testing can also detect any problems with your kidneys. After learning what your blood results are you can start to take steps to improve your health.
Depending on what the results show it may be a matter of changing your diet and/or exercise. Some conditions may require medication. But having these yearly physical exams keeps you informed about your health.
Breast health is very important for women. A mammogram is a radiology test that takes images of your breast tissue. It can detect whether you have healthy breast tissue or breast cancer. The actual test is not the most comfortable but at least, in most cases, you only have to have a mammogram once a year. Your healthcare provider can specify how often you will need to have this performed.
If you notice any changes in your breasts, like their appearance or the way they feel, it is worth it to get checked out. Self-breast exams at home are important too. This way you know what is normal for you and if something feels off, you will be able to recognize it.
A gynecology exam is a pelvic exam to look at the reproductive organs. The exam can help to detect cancers like ovarian cancer or cervical cancer. Also, the gynecologist can visually look for any signs of thinning/thickening of the uterine lining. The vulva, vagina, uterus and cervix are the areas that will be examined. The provider can also see if you have fibroid tumors and/or any other abnormalities., like a cyst on the ovaries. A breast exam is also included in most gynecology exams. During this exam, a PAP smear is performed and sent to the lab. Usually, a gynecology exam is performed yearly and PAP smears done every 3 years, if normal. A PAP smear looks for any abnormal cells of the cervix.
Having a gynecology exam can be uncomfortable because a stranger is looking at the most intimate parts of your body. The reason it is important is for early detection of any serious illness. The sooner a potential problem is found, the sooner treatment can begin, if needed.
Eye Exam
For obvious reasons, eye exams are important. Good vision is essential if we are going to carry on in our day-to-day activities. Certain health conditions have an effect on our vision, so even more reason to have your eyes checked. Diabetes, high blood pressure, liver disease, sickle cell disease and shingles all play a part in how our eyes function. There are other factors too that contribute to poor eye health.
Malnutrition can also cause problems. If we are not eating right and getting the proper nutrients we need, it affects our overall health. Without the proper vitamins and minerals that we get from food, over time puts us at risk for developing macular degeneration.
Oral health is important. Especially, if you are a happy person and you like to smile a lot. You want your smile to be bright. Also, you want to have a healthy mouth and fresh breath. Routine dental exams are where we can start. Regular dental cleanings can detect any problems, like cavities, periodontal disease or maybe you have teeth that overlap and need braces.
We have all heard it; brushing at least twice a day, and flossing daily is the minimum we should do. Just pause and think about how often we actually floss… Brushing does not get all the “bad” things we need to reach between teeth. Flossing is a very important step but many of us skip this part or don’t do it as often as we should. I admit; I am one of these people.
If you notice swollen or red gums, bad breath, bleeding gums, these are all signs that something needs attention. Our oral health, if left unchecked can have negative consequences on our health. Inflammation in the mouth can let bacteria into the bloodstream and can lead to inflammation in other parts of the body. There is a correlation between gum disease and diabetes, heart conditions and respiratory problems.
You Matter
We only have one life to live so let’s make it a great one! In recognition of Women’s History Month, let’s do something for ourselves and keep our health in check. Now, if you are already up on all of these things, then you are definitely ahead of the game. Keep it up!
March is Women’s History Month and with that in mind, what woman would you say is an inspiration to you?
I’m going to be a little biased in my answer. My mother inspires me. She is understanding, kind, and strong. The love that she has shown over the years is why she inspires me. Just the lessons that she has taught me growing up and watching how she conducts herself. She has taught me a lot and her wisdom has shaped me into the woman I am today.
There are a lot of women who inspire me but too many to name.They have set an example of what is possible. I have highlighted a few.
Kamala Harris
Vice President of the United States. She is the first woman VP, also the first African American woman and South Asian woman to hold this office. If you have political aspirations, just look at what she has achieved. And know that it is possible for you too.
Serena Williams
Tennis star who started at a young age. She kept on keeping on even when people doubted her abilities. She speaks out about gender pay equality and racial equality as well. Her fearlessness is an inspiration to me.
Simone Biles
Gymnast who has won numerous world championship gold medals. Outside of her athletic abilities, she has partnered with Mattress Firm Foster Kids. This is a charity that helps kids in foster care. Simone Biles, in spite of being diagnosed with ADHD was able to persevere. Just goes to show that we all have something to deal with in life, but we must not let it hold us back.
Michelle Obama
Former First Lady. She is not afraid to let her truth show, even with the country watching her under a microscope. Also, her mission to help prevent obesity in children. Her initiative, Let’s Move focuses on physical activity and healthy eating in an effort to fight childhood obesity. Our children are the future, so what a better way to ensure that they grow up healthy.
Oprah Winfrey
Business woman, humanitarian and philanthropist. She implemented a school in South Africa for girls. She has won 2 humanitarian awards in 2002 and 2011. Oprah Winfrey has influenced people all over the world with her talk show and her various projects in show business.
Look at the wonderful things that women of the world can achieve!! Who would you name as your inspiration?
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The theme for 2023 is Every1KnowsSome1. People in our lives may be in a domestic situation and we might not be aware of it. The situation is not evident, but DV happens more often than we think.
I would like to highlight a very serious and sensitive topic. Domestic violence, also called intimate partner violence. If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, please consider getting help! Do not suffer in silence.
Know the signs
If you are being put down or called names and insulted
Partner tries to stop or discourage you from seeing friends and/or relatives. Doesn’t want you to go to work or school
Shows physical violence by hurting you, your children or pets in the home
Partner is possessive and always makes accusations of you being unfaithful
Apologizes for their bad behavior and says it won’t happen again
Tries to control what you wear and where you go
Please see the number and link for more information.
March 8, 2022 is International Women’s Day. This month is also Women’s History Month. Let’s celebrate each other ladies!! What a wonderful way to truly bring light to women all over the world. Oftentimes, we do not get the recognition that we deserve. We are women, mothers, wives, business owners, providers, educators, nurturers and then some.
Sometimes we are overlooked for certain career opportunities. We are paid less than men, but we are just as valuable. We contribute as many ideas, hours and truly bring value to the workplace. Women are often seen as the “weaker” sex. I’m here to tell you that nothing can be further from the truth. We are just as capable as men in the world.
Even though we are nurturers we also hold our own in many, many ways. We wear many hats and are stronger than we look; both mentally and physically. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t sleep on us because we look a certain way. Women have the capability to adapt to situations and rise above adversities in life.
I encourage every woman to let their light shine and don’t be afraid to stand tall and DO YOU!! Don’t dumb it down just so that everyone around you can feel comfortable. No, be YOU in all your glory, beauty and brains!
We have a lot to offer and that is why as women we need to continue to lift each other up. Not just in times of need but in every way that we can. You never know who you can encourage and lift up just by your kind words, smile and advice.
