This article explores menopause as a normal and natural process, not a medical problem.
As described in medical texts, menopause is a deficiency disease. The deficient item is estrogen. This "low estrogen disease" view overlooks the fact that there is a time for everything and once a woman has delivered children or is past the point of wanting to be pregnant, estrogen isn't needed, at least not in the quantities it was available before.
The fact is, our ovaries still function after menopause, they just downshift and make lower levels of hormones. Because higher levels aren't needed any more. Our bodies are wondrous systems that have been set to proceed through all the natural phases of life. That includes menopause. As long as we don't get in the way and try to "fix" things that don't need fixing. As long as we don't get talked into thinking there's something wrong with us when there's not. Nothing fails, menopause is just a genetically programmed and normal part of a woman's life cycle.
So, forget about thinking about menopause as a low estrogen deficiency. You are in the right place and the right time with the right body and body functioning. It's all part of the Plan, so to speak, so stay calm about it. (Getting excited or upset is known to increase discomfort. For that, buy a relaxation tape and be sure to listen to it at least twice a day. When you get up and when you go to sleep are two good times, but experiment and see what works best for you.)
In the meantime, enjoy this period in your life because it can bring you freedom and the opportunity to express yourself!
Until recently, medical texts referred to menopause as "reproductive failure" or "ovarian failure." (Is this like your car breaking down? Of course not. Not a very good analogy is it? You are not a machine, you are a perfect human being who is entering the next stage in your life process. Failure has nothing to do with it!)
The common medical teaching was that our ovaries just dried up and withered away. (Sort of like a withering apple? Nope, not at all like that. Women over 50 can be just as vital, beautiful and well-functioning as their younger sisters. Maybe even better, because we don't have to worry about becoming pregnant any more and in most cases we have more freedom from child care so we can explore our potential and enjoy!)
But our ovaries don't just "dry up." The fact is, our ovaries still function after menopause, they just downshift and make lower levels of hormones. Because higher levels aren't needed any more. Our bodies are wondrous systems that have been set to proceed through all the natural phases of life. That includes menopause. As long as we don't get in the way and try to "fix" things that don't need fixing. As long as we don't get talked into thinking there's something wrong with us when there's not. Nothing fails, menopause is just a genetically programmed and normal part of a woman's life cycle.
Even though that is the case, the mythical idea of "failure" was quickly transferred to women once they became postmenopausal. Women were viewed and talked about as being shriveled up, dried up and useless. (Just common sense tells us that having children is not the only attribute that makes us valuable. We're valuable because we're the feeling, caring, and yes, the more stable, gender, remember? Just watch men on TV or in social situations ranting and raving and getting into arguments and physical fights and even wars with each other. How could anyone possibly think they have their emotions under control half as well as the most "emotional" woman?)
Just remember how valuable you are on this planet. Without you, there would be a whole lot less feeling, caring and loving.
Remember...Menopause is part of living and growing. It is not a disease or a deficiency.
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My Holistic & Wellness Self-Care web site
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