Help For Menopause Symptoms – With No Side Effects!

By on October 6, 2011 in Menopause, Menopause Relief & Treatment

I am always on the lookout for relief for menopause symptoms – and I am especially excited about those remedies that have no side effects. With that in mind, here are a few of my latest favorite helps for menopausal women in need.

The Kool Towel is a remarkable piece of space age fabric that, when wet, literally cools you off. It will keep you 20 degrees cooler than the air around you – which seems like 100 degrees cooler than a woman’s internal temperature during a hot flash. Sports enthusiasts and those who work in the heat use the towel, too. Just wet it and it stays cool from 1-4 hours.

I tried my Kool Towel up in the High Sierra recently, where the sun just beats down without mercy. Hard enough for anyone, but pure Hades for a hiking Menopause Goddess. It lasted about 2 hours up there, so I just dipped it in the stream when it started to dry. This terrific little towel literally saved my bacon up there. It can save yours too.

You can get a Kool Towel on their website:  http://www.kooltowel.net/


Catherine Altman founded Cerene Linens initially for menopausal women who were having trouble regulating their temperature at night.  (Which is most of us, hello.) The mattress pad and pillow cover are made of delicious linen that feels so good. I’ve had fewer hot flashes at night as the years have gone on, but as I told Cathy, my Tempurpedic mattress pad heats me to thermonuclear at least a couple times per night.  (I can’t get rid of it, because my husband loves it.

So I tried the Cerene linens – the pillow case is nice, but I LOVE the mattress pad. I don’t wake up on fire anymore. The linen starts out a little stiff but softens up with repeated washings. Just  like my Grandma’s old sheets.

You can learn more and order these cooling linens on the Cerene Website.  http://www.cerenelinens.com/

OK, now most of you know how much I complain about uncomfortable clothing. I still want someone to invent a soft cotton bra like our old training bras, but build to hold up relaxed-look (read sagging) menopausal tatas. And while that has not happened as of yet, here’s something that comes close. Pambra’s bra liner is 100% cotton with a poly cotton shell. You put the liner under your bra to catch and absorb that pesky deluge that happens when your Victoria’s Secret is next to your hot flashing bod. The Pambra is really comfy, even though it doesn’t have that little pink rose in the middle. (Can you tell I’m still fixated on the Menopause Goddess training bra?)

You can get your own Pambra on the website.  http://www.pambras.com/   And here’s a video showing Pambra in action.

In the interests of full transparency, each of these folks sent me a free sample to try, in hopes that their product might be of use to Menopause Goddesses everywhere.

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Menopause Goes to the Movies

By on October 1, 2011 in Hormone Replacement Therapy, Hot Flashes, Menopause, Mental Menopause Symptoms, Physical Menopause Symptoms

Two new films are out on the Big M and having seen both, here’s the Menopause Goddess take on them.

Managing Menopause Naturally gives in depth information on all aspects of the Change, demystifying without pushing any one alternative. I really like that about it. Experts in the complementary health field, herbalists, nutritionists, MD’s, and midwifes discuss what to expect and all remedies. Despite the title, this film does not rule out hormone replacement therapy. Rightly, it claims that all women are different and that each menopause transition is individual. There are no one -size-fits-all therapies. Best of all, real women approaching and experiencing the Menopause journey are featured discussing their fears and what has worked for them.

This is a must see for pre-menopausal women. In other words, see it while you still have brain function enough to sit still and focus for 80 minutes. And if you are already experiencing brain fog? Well, watch it in manageable pieces – say four 20 minute segments.

The only negative about this film for me was was its lack of humor. That is a personal bias of mine to be sure. I feel that humor and the support of like-afflicted girlfriends is the MAIN thing that will get you through. That said, it really is helpful to have some information to go along with the belly laughs.

My favorite menopausal woman-expert in the film is Tierona Low Dog, MD, AHG. This no nonsense herbalist, midwife, biochemist and mother tells it like it is. I love her. When I grow up, I want to be her. Just sayin’….

Managing Menopause Naturally is available from TrueMind, a documentary film company dedicated to healthy living, environmental wellness and personal development.  List price is $19.98, but you can get it on Amazon for $12.60. Even better, you can watch it for $4.99 on their website:  True Mind.   For those of us who want to watch it in segments, $4.99 gets you access for 48 hours.

The Venuses previewed “Hot Flash Havoc” together at our annual meeting.  This feature is billed as “a film of menopausal proportions” with “Commotions, emotions, and magical potions.” With excitement and in our most comfy jammies, we settled in to watch.

Good news: it was informative – and we especially enjoyed the historical narrative illuminating menopause through the ages. It did a great job of explaining the physiological changes as well. And there was a fair amount of humor.

Bad news: We all felt that there was a hidden agenda to the film: namely that “hormone therapy is necessary to get through menopause and prevent many of the hazards of aging (eg. osteoporosis, heart disease.)

There were experts and real women as there were in Managing Menopause Naturally. Some legitimate points were made about flaws in the Women’s Health Initiative study that scared so many women off and away from HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy.) My holistic MD told me right off the bat that there were flaws in the study. Still, we both feel that long term HRT is likely not risk free or even desirable.

At the very beginning of this film, a disclaimer purports that “no pharmaceutical companies were involved in the production of this motion picture.”  It’s interesting that the filmmakers felt it necessary to clarify that point, lending credence to our feeling that this was a “one right answer” film.
In the end, we would have to say that we would not recommend this film without the caveat that it seemed focused on HRT as the answer for menopause and beyond. And honestly? We just don’t feel that that is true. HRT is an answer. For some women. For some time.  And probably not forever. That said, the film is available on their website: Hot Flash Havoc.  It lists for $24.99 and is available direct on their site for $19.99.  Amazon sells it for the full list price of $24.99. Only the trailers can be viewed on the site.

Those of you who have purchased The Big M or the ebook version Becoming A Menopause Goddess know that in that chronicle of wisdom we’ve gleaned together, we offer our best humor, heart, and help to our sister goddesses. And in 2012, we will begin offering a series of short YouTube videos to augment the book and keep you all up to date on what we learn in our Venus group together. And we will exhort you to start your own group, as always.

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Don’t Be Left H-eye and Dry: Take Care of Your Vision

By on September 24, 2011 in Physical Menopause Symptoms

Old Window Reflecting Tree © lynette sheppard

Dry skin, dry tender parts, and now dry eyes. Sure enough, just about everything dries up as we move further into the autumn of our lives. My eye doctor has me using over the counter lubricating drops and I gotta say, my eyes feel a whole lot better.

We were talking at our most recent goddess gathering about which of our senses we would most hate to lose (a little morbid, I know, but we talk about EVERYTHING at our meetings). We were evenly divided between sight and hearing, although the consensus was that we love our senses more than ever at this time of life and hope to lose none of them. For now, we are going to appreciate them. And take care of our precious sense organs so that they provide us joy and connection for the second half of our lives.

With that in mind, please enjoy this guest post by Brett Oliveira that illuminates dry eye syndrome.

Dry Eyes as You Age
Dry eyes, the result of impaired tear production from the lacrimal glands (tear ducts), are a common problem among those who have allergies and naturally lack the standard amount of eye moisture many take for granted. This problem is most commonly found in groups of people over the age of 50 who have endured a lifetime’s worth of sun exposure, air contaminants and macular degeneration.
As the body ages, it produces less tears, making the eyes vulnerable to infection. These tears are a solution of oils, proteins and electrolytes that are essentially the antibodies of your eyes.  A noticeable symptom of dry eyes, ironically enough, is the excessive production of these tears at one time. Much like how the body senses starvation and packs on the pounds as a result, the body acknowledges when there isn’t enough moisture lubricating the eyes and produces mass quantities of tears in an attempt to remedy the problem.
This condition, alternatively known as keratoconjunctivitis, is generally both a direct and indirect product of aging. Because of hormonal changes, a female who has just phased out of menopause is much more likely to experience dry eye syndrome. Sufferers of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disorders also are 50% more likely to feel the effects of dry eyes due to decreased corneal sensation. All of these medical conditions tend to be associated with old age, meaning the odds of experiencing dry eyes between the ages of 50-65 are that much higher.
In addition to other medical conditions causing dry eyes, certain medications have a reputation for causing the disorder. Common drugs such as ibuprofen and high blood pressure medications are known to induce dry eyes.
All the same, those who have not entered the age bracket of 50-65 should not feel that they’re in the clear. A total of 11% of those between the ages of 30-60 are said to suffer from dry eyes, with impacts being felt more harshly with incoming generations who have experienced new reasons to be concerned about potential tear reduction. People entering the 30-60 age bracket have lived through the digital age, where staring at a computer monitor and other eye-drying light-based monitors that are known to be harmful when used for an extended period of time.
As layers of tear glands diminish with age, it is recommended that an eye doctor be consulted to recommend eye drops or, in some cases, procedures to block tear ducts that serve as a deposit for disposal of excess tears.
About the Author
Brett Oliveira works with BuyMoreContacts.com, where you can buy contact lenses at discount prices. BuyMoreContacts.com offers a variety of contacts, including lenses such as Proclear toric and Acuvue Oasys.

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Menopause The Magical.

By on September 13, 2011 in Menopause, Menopause in Community

Hey Menopause Goddesses – Sister Goddess Karen Clothier has brought together a number of beautiful elder women just up our alley. Check out the Menopause The Magical telesummit with wise woman speakers each day at 11 am PDT and 5pm PDT. It’s rethinking the conversation on Menopause – just as we all have been doing. And it’s free! It starts 9/12 (yes I know that was yesterday, but I am a Menopause Goddess after all) and continues until 9/23. Luckily, the content is accessible 48 hours after each talk.
Let me know what you think. In the meantime, I’ll be working on our annual goddess meeting, so will miss some of the speakers, initially. Sigh.

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Contemplating Life After Menopause

By on September 7, 2011 in After the Pause

tuolumne river afternoon © lynette sheppard

During the worst of the menopause transition, we goddesses crave silence. The slightest noise can be an irritant, causing our shoulders to raise up to ear level and our jaw to clench hard enough to crack fillings. The cat breathing, the husband chewing his cereal, the freaking neighbor blowing the lame-ass leaves off his STUPID DRIVEWAY,.. where was I? Oh yes, noise irritation.

As with the majority of the travails of this passage, hypersensitivity to sound passes. We regain a semblance of auditory equanimity, although we may still be fans of quietude.

Still, there is something important to be gained from these annoyances that can serve us in the search for vibrance in our second adulthood. I’m talking about contemplation.

No, I’m not advocating naval gazing or oming or pillow sitting although these are all valuable practices. And good on you if you already avail yourself of these.

Mostly I’m talking about carving out time and space in a busy lifestyle to slow down, to listen, and to hear our own voices calling out from the silence. So many of the questions of midlife and second adulthood might only be answered with purposeful, contemplative breaks in the action.

Questions like: “What is my passion?” or :”What are my passionettes?” “What does it mean to me to age gracefully?” “How might I give back, what legacy shall I leave, if any?” And perhaps most important, “Who am I becoming?”

I just returned from a “vacation” in the High Sierra where Dewitt and I were able to contemplate literally all day long. Wandering aimlessly, appreciating, and photographing the natural beauty of the Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River each day renewed and refreshed us. The rushing white noise of the river and the turtle speed pace allowed my inner voice to surface.

It’s easy to slow down and listen in such an environment. Still, I’d like to make contemplation a part of my everyday life, even more than it is at present.

Reading is a meditation for me. As is photographing. Sometimes, though, the story or artful subject is so compelling that I get lost in it and no longer am hearing my inner voice. How then, might I craft contemplative time, even if only in bits and pieces?

Years ago, I bought a couple of small, powerful books. I just pulled them off the shelf again. Being Home by Gunilla Norris with photos by Greta D. Sibley is a series of meditations having to do with everyday life. Her little vignettes/prayers deal with such weighty subjects as “making the bed” and  “taking out the trash”.

Approaching housework as meditation can create the same open receptivity as sitting by the river. It’s a matter of intention and focus. I have the intention – these little mantras provide the focus. I’m going to avail myself of at least one each day until it becomes ingrained, as natural as the flowing of water. I suspect that it might take a while, but creating a delicious second adulthood is a process not an endgame.

My other little hardbound manifesto is called The Art of Doing Nothing by Veronique Vienne, photographed by Erica Lennard. This little guide to rest an relaxation boasts tiny chapters on the arts of yawning, procrastinating, lounging, napping, and more.
I plan to indulge in at least one of these practices of “being:” in the midst of all my “doing” each day. Perhaps as I bring these gifts more into my life, I will realize that they are not indulgences, but necessities for growing myself.

I’ll keep you all posted on my “progress”. I’d love to know how each of you incorporates contemplation in your life, how you connect with that inner wisdom, and what you have learned. The synergy we create with our sharing leads to exponential growth and positive change. Just ask the Venuses! I don’t know what I’d do without them. Or without all of you! Just sayin’….

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The Best Change Brought by Menopause

By on August 27, 2011 in Mental Menopause Symptoms

dandelion swirl © lynette sheppard

“I’m sorry about your weight,” said Marcia, the checker at my local Safeway.
“Wha… what?” I stammered, wondering if I’d worn pants that showed the two extra pounds I’d regained over my HCG diet weight.
“I know it took a long time, but her credit card wasn’t working and…”
I burst out laughing. “Oh, you’re sorry for the wait! If you knew what I heard…. I wanted to say that you couldn’t possibly be as sorry as I am… I’ve been practicing avoidance maneuvers to get around the scale in the bathroom.”
Marcia is a woman of Menopause Goddess persuasion and began to laugh, too.
“Don’t even go there,” she giggled. “I’m way ahead of you.”

Just when I was beginning to feel that I’d gotten a pretty good handle on the mental changes that have alternated between distressing and hilarious, I now find that my ability to process information is on the blink.

I’ve been taking my acetyl-l-carnitine religiously and my memory has been pretty good (for my age.) And I am definitely less spacy – the brain fog has  mostly cleared leaving just a few misty spots. I even caught a problem in a legal document recently that saved us a lot of time and trouble.

So while I wasn’t all the way to smug about my mental faculties, I felt like I could hold my head up pretty high.

Until today. When I had trouble understanding words in context in my native tongue.

I do think I have discovered the best thing about Menopause, though. It’s not the lack of monthly cycles (although that’s pretty good.) It’s not the transition to elder (with its assumption of wisdom, although that’s pretty good, too.) It’s not even the feeling of comfort in my loosening skin. (Although that’s great…just sayin’…)

Nope. The very best thing about Menopause is that I will be kept laughing for the rest of my life. Because what else can a Menopause Goddess do when confronted with the shifting sands of time? It is just so freaking funny. My sense of humor is in better shape than ever. Thank heavens something is!

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Roaming the Pacific NW: Second Adulthood

By on August 17, 2011 in Positive Changes, Second Adulthood

British Columbia Sunset © lynette sheppard

My friend and sister goddess Karen-Venus likes us to set aside a day or an afternoon to just go roaming.

Which means having no real plans, destination, or goal. Just being together, meandering. Eating, strolling, maybe shopping – just allowing ourselves to wander.

My handsome hubby. Dewitt, has adopted a saying from a Hawaiian rules T-shirt as his own personal credo: The unaimed arrow never misses. So it was with our recent meander up to British Columbia and eastern Washington state.

Of course, we made some plans – we had airline reservations, hotel and car rental from Seattle onward and plans to visit friends on Vancouver Island. The rest was up for grabs. Just the way we are growing to like it.

This phase of second adulthood reminds me of the best of childhood, when you would start a day not knowing what you would do or see, just experiencing the world as you happened upon it.

When you have no expectations, everything is a miracle. I made a new goddess friend (actually I believe we must be sisters that got separated somehow and found our way back to one another.) Never expected that!

Saw seals basking in the sun, drank wine on a boat while music from a concert drifted out to us bobbing on the sound, ate fabulous food and didn’t count the calories, watched rainbows and sunsets, met a farmer and a barber, hooked up with some Facebook photo pals who I’d not met in person before but felt like I knew so well, got lost in wheat fields and explored abandoned houses. Expected none of that either.

Of course, now I’m back home madly playing catch up. I’m a little behind on some things and a lot behind on others. But that feeling of peacefilled joy is hanging on. And when it dissipates, I’m going to try a little roaming around home.

Instead of powering through my walk to get it over with and check off the exercise portion of my day, I might just roam and see where I end up. Or I’ll hook up with Theresa-Venus and do some photo roaming where we may or may not actually take a photo.

It’s important to my second adulthood to make time for me – and being open to whatever, rather than being so quasi-organized and scheduled. Only one thing I want my Menopause Goddess sisters to do – remind me! And I’ll try to remind you too.

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Getting Rid of Excess Baggage: A Menopause Goddess Idea

By on July 28, 2011 in After the Pause, Life Changes & Stages

Aerial salt desert Utah © lynette sheppard

I love traveling. I hate packing.

To me, a plane flight is like a bubble bath at 30,000 feet. No phone calls, no doorbells, no chores staring you in the face. Just peace and quiet in a semi-reclining seat. Time to daydream, read my books on the iPad, or make iPhone photo art out of the aerial landscapes below.

Packing, on the other hand, sucks. I try to take as little as possible but there are certain necessary maintenance items like vitamins, supplements, prescriptions.  Emollients, lotions, and yes, sex butter.

The worst part is the decision making. What to wear? What is really necessary and what will I wish fervently that I had remembered. Oh and remembering! That’s huge. I have to start at least a few days ahead of time in order to have time to remember all the things I’d have forgotten. Gone are the days of packing the night (or hour) before.

So I dither and fret and obsess.  And whine and complain and make multiple trips to the store or pharmacy. And every time I end up asking myself why it’s so hard? Is it just the post menopausal me? This is the herculean task I must accomplish every time to get to that bubble bath and the joyful journey waiting like a fluffy, warm towel at the end of the flight?

I might be the only one who feels this way, but in case I am not, here’s a new business I’m proposing. How about a service where you email ahead your sizes and styles needed in clothing plus any special needs like certain toiletries, travel hair dryer and/or curling iron, even a tripod for your camera.
When you arrive at the airport, voila. A packed to order suitcase which you use and turn in as you leave. And hey, no luggage fees. Which have gotten pretty steep and could help finance your Rent A Travel Wardrobe.

Seriously, while I cannot and will not start another business, I am soooooooooo available to consult on this idea. Gratis. Because I believe this is an enterprise that is long overdue. Hey, maybe we could even get the airlines to chip in with a lower ticket price if we promise to bring no bags.

Or maybe my Menopause Brain is just working overtime on non-essential thoughts and ideas. Then again………….

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Sex Butter and Mulberry Silk Summer Sale

By on July 23, 2011 in Menopause Relief & Treatment, Physical Menopause Symptoms

I love menopausal women. After we get over the “WTF” reaction, a desire to help our sisters have an easier time with the Pause kicks in. Hence sites like Minnie Pauz and our own Menopause Goddess Blog.

Bonnie Stern is a Menopause Goddess who suffered from the pain and dryness so often associated with intimacy during and after this transition. She co-created an organic, hormone-free, paraben-free product called Sex Butter to counteract this problem.

Lucky me, Bonnie sent me a couple of samples of this terrific healing, essential oil based butter. Oh yes, it is wonderful. And it has received the handsome hubby blue ribbon seal of approval as well. Look for it in the Menopause Marketplace soon or click here to visit Bonnie’s site now.

Remember, the first step to recovering that libido is to show up naked with a smile on your face. The second step is to add essential lubrication to counteract vaginal dryness. The other steps are up to you. Reclaim your sensuality with a little Sex Butter.

Lana Abrams, one of our favorite Menopause Goddess entrepreneurs, is having a summer sale. For a limited time, all her Mulberry West mulberry silk products are on sale for 25% off! With free shipping!

The summer heat has finally set in and a lightweight but cozy comforter is just the ticket for a restful night’s sleep. Heck, I’m going to buy one for myself!
Here’s the link to the sale: Mulberry West Summer Sale.

Here’s wishing you all a summer that is not too hot nor too dry.

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Happy Rebirth Day

By on July 13, 2011 in Aging Gracefully, Life Changes & Stages

Nest Egg © lynette sheppard

These days I look forward to birthdays with equal parts trepidation, amazement, and delight. It seems they are coming around faster – didn’t I just turn 50 a day or two ago?

I’m amazed at all the changes, that’s for sure. And I’m generally delighted to celebrate with friends and family. Still, I fondly remember as a child when my mom would tell me that I could do (and eat) anything I wanted for my birthday. In my second adulthood, I realize that I miss that.

So I’ve decided to have a rebirth day. I’m picking a day where I literally do (yes, and eat) anything I want. A day of personal hedonism. I recently found out that my mom tries to set aside a day each week that she calls “Be Good To Betty Day”. Hmmmmm must be something in the genes.

I’m really enjoying the planning phase. So many possibilities. What would most feed my soul? What might contribute to my rebirth? Besides, if not now, when? I have to work (play) on what my second half of life is going to look like.

Thursday is the big day. Dewitt is on a business trip; I’m home alone. I’ll finish up chores and appointments before then and start up again on Friday.

I might go for a morning paddle on the lake while it is calm. Or get up early to photograph the wildflowers and hummingbirds in the forest fire burn area that is coming back to life. I’m thinking pancakes and bacon for breakfast. Then a little reading – maybe a hike. Scrabble with Theresa Venus might be an afternoon possibility. With wine, and of course chocolate.

I want really spicy food for dinner – Thai or Hunan. I’d like to read for awhile and watch the sunset. Maybe dance a little hula if I feel like it. Maybe not.

I’m hoping that this will be the first of many such days. I likely won’t be able to do one a week, but maybe one every month or two. I’m curious as to whether time will seem to be moving as fast or whether I can recapture the “endless” days of childhood.

Unstructured, delicious time. More nourishing than food. I want to consciously make this a part of my second adulthood. And unlike a child, I will be acutely aware of how precious each of these moments is.

What might your rebirth day look like? Or if not a whole day, a rebirth afternoon? A couple of hours? And can you create the time and space for your own small rebirth?

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