Dear Red Hot Mamas- October 2015

By: Red Hot Mamas

Published: October 9, 2015

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

Mark your calendar as October 18^th is World Menopause Day! Now, I bet you are wondering just when, why, and how this special day has evolved. And, you are probably pondering as to why it even exists. So, let me give you the lowdown and a little bit of history behind World Menopause Day.

In 1984, The International Menopause Society (IMS), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), designated October 18^th as World Menopause Day. Since the inception of the observance of this day, the IMS and the Council of Affiliated Menopause Societies around the world have been increasing awareness about menopause. They have been addressing the many issues women face during menopause. These societies encourage all healthcare professionals to better inform women about menopause and the management of its symptoms; and to distribute materials and organize activities on World Menopause Day.

The possible symptoms of menopause sometimes have a negative impact on a woman’s quality of life. And, the long term consequences of menopause occasionally can lead to a host of age-related diseases. On this particular day, there is a call for action for healthcare providers, organizations such as Red Hot Mamas, to educate women about menopause and to encourage women to talk to their clinicians about menopause and its long term effects.

So, on this October 18^th you should remember that this is “your day” – yes, all those Red Hot Mamas who are now coming out the other side of their reproductive years. You can celebrate “the change” on this day, no matter what phase of “the change” (menopause) you are in.

You should also note that you are all not alone. In fact, there are more than 500 million women around the world who are experiencing “the change”. These women sometimes experience unwelcome menopause symptoms. One symptom, we all know about is the occurrence of hot flashes. And, for those of you who have experienced them, you know they can hit you like a bolt out of the blue. Can you just imagine what would happen if we all simultaneously experienced hot flashes at the same time? It would set off smoke alarms across the world! So all of you Red Hot Mamas out there are creating a heated global crisis!!