"Not tonight Honey, I'm all dried-up!"

OK...that's probably not something you would say to your mate but if you're going to be honest and real, that is the case sometimes when it comes to intimacy.

As women age, there is a decrease in our hormone levels which causes changes in our vaginal tissue. It becomes thinner and less elastic. There is less vaginal wetness even when we become aroused. Sex can become uncomfortable--even painful for some. But there is relief in various creams and gels.

These are issues men don't understand unless we are willing to establish an open dialogue. It's the same with them. As they age, an erection is not as easy to attain and they don't want to let on to their mate that there is a problem. That's why Viagra was invented.

OK...So here is another reason why you should purchase a copy of Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age on November 16th.

Excerpt from Chapter One:

Some people call it a midlife crisis. I call it cruel and unusual punishment. My middle-age years have resulted in some spreading, sagging and cellulite--- while my breasts, belly and lap are getting better acquainted. Gone are the days when I could chow down at the all-you-can-eat buffets and never gain a pound. All those burgers, fries, pork chops, ribs, fried chicken and late night cocktails seem to have caught up with me. These days everything I eat goes straight to my waistline. Sometimes all I have to do is look at food and I gain weight. Over a two year period, I gained about twenty-five pounds. That may not sound like a lot to you, but for a diva who bragged about being a Miss Size Four it was very traumatic!

My doctor said the weight gain is a result of my metabolism slowing down. It’s all a part of the aging process. But there is good news according to her. “Just cut back on your calorie intake, Beverly, and exercise,” she said. “That will keep your weight under control.” Oh, that’s just great. Not only do I have to eat like a bird but then I have to sweat like a pig in the gym!

What is menopause?

Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstruation stops permanently. It's a gradual process and could begin as early as the mid thirties.

Menopause can also occur when the ovaries are surgically removed. Most women go through menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. In the U.S., the average age for menstrual periods to stop completely is 51.

I refer to the symptoms of menopause as the "seven dwarfs" but I have since learned that the dwarfs have a lot of other relatives who pop in an out from time to time. In addition to hot flashes, night sweats, and headaches; there's also dizziness, fatigue, sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, mood swings, urinary incontinence and vaginal dryness.

Doctors say menopause usually begins at a time in life when other dramatic changes are taking place. Some of these changes may include loss of parents, adjustment to children growing up and leaving home (empty nest syndrome), becoming a grandparent, retirement or career changes. These changes, in addition to the changes in a woman's body, may result in psychological or emotional stress.

Next time I'll talk about how vaginal dryness can result in major problems when it comes to intimacy. Stay tuned...and don't forget to purchase a copy of my book Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age on November 16.

Come visit me sometime at http://www.talk2bev.com and take the weekly Health Quiz and play the Baby Boomer Trvia Contest