The Menopause Minute - Volume 90

Dear Red Hot Mamas

This November is a very special month for Red Hot Mamas. It's our 20th anniversary and it's been 20 years since I experienced surgical menopause. I sure hope that you will enjoy reading about my story, and learning more about hysterectomy in this month’s issue. In the last two decades, we're honored to have partnered with over 200 hospitals in the US and Canada to bring our education programs to life. I'm grateful to all of you for attending our Red Hot Mamas programs and for those of you who utilize our website as a valuable resource for midlife health information. Great health care starts with great education. Our commitment in the future is to continue to empower you by providing menopause health information so you can stay well now and in the future.

Our message is ringing on the world wide web! Our website took home another eHealthcare Leadership Award this year, which means we were recognized for our outstanding website and digital communication. The award recognizes our site as one that shows remarked enhancements in visual interest, perfecting navigation and showcasing a number of various mixed media outlets. From videos to social media tie-ins, www.redhotmamas.org works toward fully integrating these new media vehicles so we can bring you the quality health information you deserve. Awards were given in Orlando last week.

A Personal Account of My Hysterectomy: Arriverderci Big Red!

When Big Red moved out, I can’t say I was actually sad to let go of the days of belted pads and tampons. How embarrassing it used to be when Big Red would take over my mood, my emotions, my life. I know I am dating myself but, yes I wore those uncomfortable pink elastic belts and always had boxes of Modess and Kotex that overflowed from my bathroom closet. It truly was a benefit to me to have moved onward and upward from wearing those silly devices of protection. Oh, the joys of womanhood! I embraced the next journey of my life into menopause. Much has changed for me, and much of it for the better.

My personal hysterectomy included the removal of my ovaries, known as an oophorectomy. For me, it meant the end of chronic pelvic pain, worries about unusual bleeding and it opened up a greater self discovery and freedoms. This year marks the 20th anniversary since my surgery. I was 40 years old when I had my oophorectomy. My decision to have this operation was decided upon after having a series of consultations with my gynecologist, as well as getting second and third opinions from other gynecologists. Each visit with the gynecologist lasted about 15 minutes in duration and the consultations covered basically the pre-operative information - what would be removed, possible complications, etc. After these discussions, things went pretty fast and before I knew it, I was in the hospital recovering from surgery.

Is your husband or boyfriend suffering from Grumpy Man Syndrome? Is he sleepless, irritable like a rubber band waiting to pop, anxious, depressed, and experiencing muscle aches and pains? Is his middle spreading (pop belly) and his libido crashing? If you are living with Grumpy and you’re not Snow White, your husband or lover could be going through male menopause! Also, called andropause.

If you, yourself are going through perimenopause and menopause (I call it PM&M for short), you might be thinking, “wait a second, I have a lot of those symptoms…this is my thing, not his!” Well, this is not like when you were pregnant and your husband had cravings for pickles and ice cream…those are sympathy cravings. Male Menopause symptoms are real and important to pay attention to!