The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Menopause Society (IMS) designated October as World Menopause Awareness Month.

This year, how about celebrating by taking care of YOU!  Yes, move up to the top of your To-Do List.

Check in with yourself and see if you are participating in the big perimenopausal cover-up.  Perimenopause is the 2-10 years before you reach menopause.  It is during this time that a woman can experience many of the over 35+ symptoms of menopause. This singing uterus video will help you understand perimenopause: MENOPAUSE MONDAYS® A Singing Uterus Explains Perimenopause and Menopause.

You have graduated to menopause when you have had no menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months. If your period stopped for 6 months and then started again – even if it is just a little spotting, you must start the clock over. Just a note of caution, while the period is coming and going at weird times, you can still get pregnant!   After you reached 12 months with no period,  there is no cap and gown ceremony. Nor, have I ever found a greeting card for this milestone in a women’s life.

The average age of menopause is 51. If you begin experiencing a myriad of menopausal symptoms, you may feel isolated and alone. The opposite is true.  In the United States, approximately 1.3 million women become menopausal each year. The average age of Menopause is 51. However, about 5% of women experience early menopause between the ages of 40 and 45. Additionally, 1% of women experience premature menopause before the age of 40, due to permanent ovarian failure. So, do the math, perimenopause begins when you are young!  You may skip through unphased, but most women experience a variety of symptoms that can be quality of life-changing.   Participating in the cover-up and pretending you are “fine” will not help you lead your best life.

If your internal thermometer starts changing and you begin hot flashing and night sweating, please don’t pretend you are “fine.”

If you start experiencing brain fog, please don’t pretend you are “fine.”

If you find that you suddenly are a member of the sisterhood of the shrinking pants, please don’t pretend you are “fine.”

If you wake up one morning and feel like an alien has taken over your emotions and you are a complete bitchface, please don’t pretend you are “fine.”

If you are sleepless, but not in Seattle with Tom Hanks, please don’t pretend you are “fine.”

If suddenly your vagina packed up and left for the Sahara Desert, please don’t pretend you are “fine.”

If you would rather mop your kitchen floor than get in bed with your lover, please don’t pretend you are “fine.”

As it turns out menopause isn’t just a cessation of a bodily function, aka “the period. After all, the entire menstrual cycle is like getting ready for a ball that you rarely attend. You put on all your make-up, put your hair up all snazzy, and squeeze into a fancy dress. Then once you are ready to go, you decide, “Nah, let’s just order in.”

The key is to embrace your vulnerability and reach out and get the help you need and deserve. Here are 3 steps to help you Celebrate Menopause Awareness Month:

1. Download my free Menopause Mondays® Symptoms Chart.  Start charting your symptoms each day.  If you have lots of marks on the chart, go to Step 2.

2. Find a Menopause Specialist. Think of your Menopause Specialist as your business partner in this menopause biz. This specialist may not be the gynecologist you have been seeing. There are highly trained health practitioners who are up on the latest menopause and mid-life health information and studies that will create an individualized health plan to rid you of those pesky symptoms. For more tips on finding a Menopause Specialist, please read MENOPAUSE MONDAYS® Blog: How to Find a Menopause Specialist.

3. Subscribe to my free MENOPAUSE MONDAYS®Blog and read up on the latest information and options to help you formulate your list of questions for your appointment with your Menopause Specialist.  Use my website as your own personal perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause library. Education is power!

You are not alone in this journey. During this time in your life, think inside the box and reach out and get the help you need and deserve!

Remember:  Suffering in silence is OUT!  Reaching out is IN.

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*EllenDolgen.com does not recommend, endorse, or make any representation about any tests, studies, practices, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, healthcare providers, physicians, or medical institutions that may be mentioned or referenced.