Friday, April 28, 2023

Ms. Nava's Menopause Journey: From Medical Frustration to Finding Healing in Yoga

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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