Re-Invention: A Chosen Path or Forced Upon You?

Mary Beth sat in my office last week sobbing, “For three years I have been to doctors, taken multiple blood and saliva tests, received pills, compounds and gels and I do not feel any better.”

Then suddenly, “I think I am mourning the loss of my former self, ‘the old me’.”

My client a 44 year-old-woman who in her third year of post menopause arrived at a cross-road, a fork in life’s journey where she must make important decisions. Being angry for so long, searching for medicines, doctors and diagnoses that made sense started to take its toll. In the midst of it all, she forgot that life’s natural transition of menopause could be causing her struggles and so had the various physicians. This is not a new scenario for today’s seasoned woman. In February’s O magazine, Oprah expresses her frustrations, thyroid difficulties and recent awareness that menopause has crept into her life.

Women and health care providers remain un-informed and unaware of the normalcy of this life transition. Yes, public figures like Oprah, Dr. Christina Northrup, and Suzanne Sommers are lighting the way but we have a long road ahead to remove menopause from the shadows and taboos of our sexually naïve society. Later this month, I will speak to over 300 nurse practitioners at the state symposium in North Carolina about embracing patient’s sexual needs regarding mid-life transitions. Each year I intend to be a part of these gatherings and share scholarly information to raise the consciousness of my colleagues. This year the theme is Clinical Pearls for Romancing Mid-life Sex. Far too many women believe with menopause comes a silencing of the sexual spirit. Well there may be shift in the sexual energy BUT it is not DEAD!

This spring we each have the opportunity to shift a little deeper into the concept of “re-inventing the self”. Many are indeed thrown into the waters of change due to health issues, changes in family life (empty nest), divorce, death, career and today’s economic squeeze. Are you the resilient one who picks up the challenge and marches on into a new era of living with a new respect for yourself as a changing woman?

To learn more about Mary Beth and her re-invention sign up for the monthly newsletter and encounter Lesley Jane Seymour’s three types of re-invention. And don’t forget to share April’s message with a friend!

See ya soon,
Dona

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