Menopause,
a topic that has long been shrouded in taboo, is finally getting the attention
it deserves. And why shouldn't it? It's a natural biological process that every
woman goes through. So, let's break the silence and talk about it openly. As an
Indian woman myself, I know first-hand how uncomfortable it can be to broach
this subject. But I refuse to remain silent any longer. I want to encourage all
women out there to share their menopause stories. Your experiences can help
others prepare for what's to come or add to their learning curve. No two women
have the same journey, but we can all benefit from sharing our stories. So, let
me share mine.
At
45, my biological clock stopped ticking permanently. But my pre-menopause began
two years earlier. It was a gradual decline until I was left with nothing.
Menopause hit me hard, turning my life upside down. I was helpless, and I
didn't know what was happening to me. The symptoms were relentless: hot
flashes, cold sweats, sleepless nights, unexplained tears, and palpitations. I went
to see several doctors, but most of them didn't seem to take my concerns
seriously. The older, experienced doctors were more knowledgeable about
menopause, but the younger female doctors found it amusing. They dismissed my
symptoms with sly smiles, leaving me feeling frustrated and unheard. I was
prescribed packets of headache and body ache tablets, which didn’t make any
difference, until I threw them aside.
Finally,
a male gynaecologist at the medical centre gave me the advice I needed. He
advised me against hormone tablets due to their side effects and suggested I
indulge in activities that I loved. So, I started travelling and experimenting
with new recipes and gardening.
Slowly but surely, my symptoms began to fade. However,
just as I turned 50, my symptoms returned with a vengeance. This time, they
were compounded by unhappiness at my job, which made things worse. I took a
couple of medical leaves, but my bosses thought I was making excuses. In the
end, I quit my job and focused on my recovery. I travelled and took up
gardening therapy once again.
Two
years later, my symptoms returned again, worse than ever. Severe headaches,
body pain, palpitations, and a feeling of emptiness consumed me. On top of
that, my husband was struggling with the fallout from a business partnership
gone awry. I was lost, and he was lost, and it all felt like too much to bear. A
male doctor diagnosed me with migraines and menopause symptoms and prescribed a
couple of tablets. He also suggested natural herbs to calm myself. Then, a
doctor friend recommended yoga, and I gave it a try. Within a month of
practicing yoga poses and breathing techniques twice a week, I felt like a
different person. The connection I felt with yoga was profound, and I knew it
was something I wanted to explore further.So,
ladies, let's break the taboo and talk about menopause. Share your stories, and
let's support each other through this natural process. As for me, I fell in
love with yoga, and the rest is history. Stay tuned for the next chapter of my yoga
journey.
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