The Menopause Minute - Volume 87

Dear Red Hot Mamas

Last week, I had an appointment with my doctor. Unfortunately, I found myself sitting in the waiting room for an inordinate amount of time (45 minutes). I anxiously sat there waiting for my name to be called and wondered why he was running so late. Secretly, I wondered if anyone else in the room felt as ticked as I was about the length of time we had to wait for this doctor. I felt rather neglected and inconvenienced by this long wait. I've always been respectful and have showed up on time for any doctor's visit I've scheduled. And, I know in the field of medicine, that it's not always possible for doctors to see patients with robotic precision. However, I was disappointed when I finally saw my doctor and he did not even apologize for the long wait or give me an explanation as to why I was kept waiting. One lesson I've learned from this is that it's important to speak up when you are upset about waiting so long. If I had done so, perhaps, I could have gotten a grasp as to why I had to wait so long. Instead, I left in a huff and felt very frustrated.

Dueling Hormones: When Menopause and Puberty Collide

If you’re in your 40’s or 50’s and you have kids in the house, you’re probably familiar with what I like to call “dueling hormones.”

This is that ever-so-special time when mom is going through perimenopause and menopause, and her kids are going through puberty, all under the same roof. With all these hormonal fluctuations happening at once, things can get more than a little hectic!

Fortunately, amidst the chaos, there is a real opportunity to take these challenges and turn them into a time of growth and connection. Often the anger or outbreaks that come with hormonal fluctuations on both sides are really just an overflow or projection of the same anger and frustration that we might harbor against ourselves. Working on yourself and your own personal growth, knowing your body and being prepared for perimenopause and menopause, will help ease the super-tense dynamics that can develop with the people closest to you.

Can't See Squat? Emerging Vision Problems as we Age

Many of us are relying on higher and higher magnifying mirrors to put on our makeup. We have numerous pairs of eyeglasses placed strategically around our houses because we simply can't see a thing without them. Oh, how I remember the time when I could read a menu. Yes, I went through the routine of extending my arms out and squinted until I could read the print. I now confess, this is no longer an option for me. Either I have my glasses on, or if I forget them (which I often do), I borrow them from one of my middlessence friends, or I have to rely on asking the waiter to repeat and repeat what's on the menu.

Ya DE Da. You've heard it over and over again. Yes, we are aging baby boomers and with that comes vision problems, contact lenses, bifocals, trifocals, laser surgery, dry eyes and the like. And, to comfort you, every day of the week, this year, there will be 7,000 of us turning age 65. Astonishing numbers, eh? Many of us will be suddenly rushing to eyeglass emporiums in search of the right pair of glasses. I love it when the young sales clerks say "these glasses make you look so intelligent". And, to boot, they are so expensive. I just hope I won't lose them. I still refrain from buying that chain that dangles down around my neck to prevent this from happening.

Hot Flash Report from Women's Hospital in Flowood, Mississippi

On Tuesday, July 19, 2011, Woman’s Hospital hosted its first Red Hot Mamas event at the G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library in Flowood, MS. Forty-four women attended the seminar to talk about menopause. The topic of the night was “What’s Happening to Me? My sleep, My moods, Myself.”

Chris Wiggs, MD, an obstetrician/gynecologist with Jackson Healthcare for Women, was the host for the night. Dr. Wiggs graduated and did his fellowship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS. He is on staff at Woman’s Hospital and has been on the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology since January 2004.

The event allowed women to be in a fun, safe, comfortable environment to discuss and learn more about menopause. Menopause has always been a “behind the door” conversation. Now, Woman’s Hospital is opening the door and offering expert medical advice and guidance to help guide women through the transition from one stage of their lives to another. This program is designed to help prepare and educate women on recognizing the symptoms of menopause and teaching them how to effectively manage these related changes.