I am the "NEW" Face of Menopause: Get used to it

I am the NEW face of menopause. In a few months I’ll be fifty years old. I’m also just a month or two shy of being in full-blown menopause. That’s provided my menstrual cycle doesn’t surprise me again like it did last year. For the past couple of years, I’ve been keeping company with the seven dwarfs of menopause. Maybe you know them: Sweaty, Bloated, Itchy, Bitchy, Forgetful, Sleepy and All Dried Up. I have also been visited by their cousins---and I believe there are more than two dozen of those little rascals out here running around creating havoc. Yes, the hot flashes get pretty intense at times and, lord knows, the mood swings can get out of control. I've gain some weight and there are intimate moments that can be a struggle (due to vaginal dryness) BUT---despite this, I am a woman who is welcoming my new journey.

I am not living in my mother's shadow. I am not afraid to say I'm depressed when I really am. I will seek treatment when I need it but I will always seek a SECOND OPINION when I don’t agree with the first one. If I'm having a hot flash AND a mood swing at the same time and I ask you to leave me alone--you need to do just that.

I am an African-American woman eager to engage in dialogue about the changes I’m going through. But all I tend to see are white women doing all of the talking. Menopause does not discriminate. It is an equal opportunity annoyer! It is time for all of my sisters to come out of the closet and join the journey. You will find, just as I have, that there is plenty of support out there. I’ve even written a book about it called: Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age.

I am a baby boomer diva who is steadily preparing for the next phase of my life. I'm still classy, sassy and taking care of business both professional and personal. Now you can choose to moan, groan and complain all you want to about what ails you. And then, why don't you just go hide under a rock until your menopause is over.

As for me, "I'm steppin' out. I want the world to know...got to let it show!"