The Meaning of Menopause

By Hanny Roskamp

I’m 48 now. A year and half ago, I could still say I was “approaching menopause.” But a year ago, the first hot flashes presented themselves, in series of 20 or 30 a day. Menopause had come, no doubt about it. Red-faced and covered in sweat, I wrote my book De houdbare vrouw (The Everlasting Woman). Since then, I’ve put a year and a half and countless hot flashes behind me.

To be honest, I’m rather cold-natured, so I don’t have much of a problem being very warm for a few minutes. I finally understand why the cardigan is such an important piece of clothing for women over a certain age. I actually like hot flashes.

As a result of my journalistic and scientific background, I’ve approached menopause primarily from a place of curiosity. My thermostat appears to be somewhat confused. A little research tells me that during a hot flash, blood pressure drops dramatically for a short time. That’s a consequence of blood vessel dilation, which is also what causes facial flushing.

A recent study at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle tallied the number of hot flashes experienced by more than 1,400 women with and without breast cancer. The study also explored the women’s risk of developing breast cancer. It turned out that the women with breast cancer experienced far fewer hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Women aged 50 have an average 2 percent risk of developing breast cancer; during menopause, that number is cut in half. Since reading that, I’ve become even fonder of my hot flashes. I see them as part of my body’s natural defense system. Considering the sweat they engender, you could even call them cleansing.

Sometimes a positive experience hits you from left field: not just hot flashes, but menopause itself, and growing older as a whole. The socially and culturally defined pressure to stay young, fertile and vibrant as long as we can is enormous, but what does it do to us? Don’t we miss out on many things by focusing so much attention on our youthful years, which—let’s be honest—ended some time back? Psychological developments, new insights, spiritual growth—all these are part of growing older. But where do these aspects go while we’re so busy delaying and preventing the physical aspect of aging?

Why is this new phase of our lives characterized by Botox and dates with our plastic surgeons? Why are more and more women embracing hormones that are supposed to keep us young? Of course the media play a role by constantly confirming that we only count if we look young. But most of all, we do it to ourselves, because we’re vain, and we think the package is all that matters. All the while, we’re missing out on an enlightening journey, one that’s vital for anyone who wants to grow as a human being. Let’s talk about this side of the story: getting older as an experience that can be personally valuable to each and every one of us.

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Read more: Health, Menopause, Women's Health

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

june t.

10:55PM PDT on May 5, 2012

thanks for the article

May 5
send a green star

Mary M.

6:14AM PDT on May 4, 2012

For years I read lots of information on menopause, it was scary and i dreaded the thought of going through it when the time came.
When the time did come, I ate healthy, I stopped drinking coffee , keeped myself busy. I had a few mild symptoms, nothing compared to what I had read about. I guess im one of the lucky ones.

May 4
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Sherry B.

6:06AM PDT on May 4, 2012

Sorry but my symptoms have gotten worse every month for the last 2 yrs. I had to beg my Dr. to give me something so I could get some sleep. I could be up for days with no sleep. I don't like to go anywhere because I'm sweating the whole time. I don't even want to get out of bed most days cause I'd rather stay asleep. Oh, it's a WONDERFUL LIFE!!

Beth W.

12:28PM PDT on May 1, 2012

~Always interesting to see another's perspective. Thank you

May 1
send a green star

Past Member .

6:58PM PDT on Apr 30, 2012

I went through menopause & crossed the finish line in a little under a year..Doc. confirmed..and though I had night sweats,mood swings,hot flashes...and my menstruation just stopped....I feel like a 20 year old again-even in the bedroom-Everything I read beforehand just managed to scare the daylights out of me.....One word to describe what I feel about it-LIBERATED

April 30
send a green star

Siti R.

4:24AM PDT on Apr 30, 2012

awesome read, thank you! will share.

Kirsten B.

11:01PM PDT on Apr 29, 2012

Wow!
I can tell that this article is going to cause a lot of controversy or anger with some people, but for me personally, it felt like you were recounting about half of my life and life experiences. I'm not quite 42, but well into menopausal symptoms (roller coaster emotions, occasional flushes and night sweats ...) and just started embracing me as I am - growing, blossoming and learning to live to the full.
I especially liked the emphasis on creating a healthy and non-toxic (physically, emotionally and mentally) lifestyle.
Thank you.

April 29
send a green star

Margret F.

10:30AM PDT on Apr 29, 2012

Menopause is experienced as diffferently as there are women experiencing it. No two women will have the same symtoms and the symtoms change over the years. Many years have passed since I became postmenopausal, don't really even think of the word "menopause" much anymore. I do recommend supporting your menopausal body with bio-identical hormone replacement along with optimizing the adrenal and thyroid through supplements and natural thyroid support. Ask for a "reverse thyroid" test from an alternative practioner, the standard allopathic thyroid test is inaccurate and will not pick up a sub-clinical low thyroid. An older body needs constant support through excellent nutrition and the right exercise as well. It is all about maintenance!

12:56AM PDT on Apr 29, 2012

Thanks.

Elaine A.

4:37PM PDT on Apr 28, 2012

Can you say HOT FLASHES!!! That's all one needs to know and get corrected, LOL1 Glad that I am through all that mess and was through it in three years total PRAISE GOD! as I only had the Hot flashes for the one year you have to be period free and then was on a bio identical that knocked them out in 20 minutes and never had another since and only took the Bio identical HRT for 2 years and then just went off cold turkey and am through all that mess. Again HALLELUJAH!!!