September 23, 2020

Getting By When Menopause Comes Early: Daisy's Story

When Daisy, a business owner and single mom from Florida, was diagnosed with uterine cancer a second time, she was given a hard choice.  She had already beaten cancer once, and to the surprise of her doctors and herself, was able to have a child after her recovery. With this recurrence, Daisy was given the option of getting a hysterectomy and forgoing a longer treatment process. “I didn’t want my son to have to see me go through radiation and chemotherapy,” said Daisy. “I didn’t want to worry him.” She made the choice to get the hysterectomy.  What Daisy didn’t realize was the major transformation her body was to go through once the surgery was over. She went almost immediately into early-onset menopause, suddenly finding herself dealing with huge mood swings, hair loss, and weight management issues.  “There are a lot of challenges,” Daisy explained. “All of a sudden you feel like you can’t be even-keeled. It’s like one little thing and you know you’re not yourself and you can’t control it.” Perhaps the most difficult change to her daily life was the onset of severe hot flashes.  “I would wake up having night sweats with my pajamas and hair totally soaked. Before going back to bed, I would need to take a shower and change my clothes.”  The hot flashes and temperature issues became a huge obstacle to living her life in the way that she wanted to. “You have that volcanic eruption from inside out and you still have to make it through the day,” explained Daisy. “You still have to be mom, you still have to make dinner, you still need to go to work.” Part of the reason why the physical and emotional symptoms were so difficult to manage was that she felt she hadn’t been properly prepared for what would happen after going through early-onset menopause. In addition, she found that some of the men in her life, and the culture at large, didn’t believe that her symptoms were as bad as she was describing them to be. “Men don’t get it, they think you’re being a baby or over-exaggerating, and this is really challenging.” One man, however, Daisy’s boyfriend, felt determined to help when he saw how difficult hot flashes were making her life. Though she had already tried a host of other treatments, including hormonal interventions and patches, as a nursing student Daisy’s boyfriend was sure that there had to be some way to manage the hot flashes. So he went on a search to find some way to give a little relief to her.  Daisy’s boyfriend learned about Embr Wave online and figured it was worth a shot. He purchased the Wave, and gifted it to Daisy for their anniversary. “It was a total surprise,” said Daisy about getting her Wave. “And a total home run.” The Wave worked immediately for her. “Oh my word, it was insane,” she said. The “volcanic eruption” feeling that she described at the onset of a hot flash dissipated as soon as she was able to feel the direct cooling sensation of the Wave.  On top of the help that the Wave gave her, she loved the rose-gold coloring and the way the device was able to blend in as an accessory. “I’m a real girly girl,” she explained. “I love the color, and I love the design.”  Since getting the Wave, the hot flashes that were once debilitating for Daisy no longer get in the way of her doing the things that she wants to do. “It makes life manageable. I can blow-dry my hair without getting dripping wet with sweat.” Beyond just her ability to feel more comfortable, Daisy described feeling more confident knowing that her hot flashes could be contained when she was in public. “Before [I had the Wave] at work, I used to get so embarrassed, and I would worry that a hot flash might come on unexpectedly.” Now she knows that if a hot flash does come on, she’s in control and equipped to handle it.  For other women experiencing menopause, both early-onset and later in life, Daisy urges them to be prepared for the changes that might come. “Sometimes you may not feel like yourself, and there will be changes to your body.” She also wants menopause to be something that’s more openly discussed, and not mocked or belittled. “I think women need to share their stories and feel comfortable sharing them. It helps people know that they’re not alone, and helps prepare them for what is to come.” Difficult symptoms aside, Daisy knows that menopause is something that you can live and thrive through. “As women, we know how to fight,” she emphasized. “No matter what’s going on, we get everything done.” 

September 21, 2020

How I’m Managing Menopause During COVID-19

By Michell Merritt As the pandemic continues, I’ve had to adjust to social distancing, like everyone else, but I’ve also had to adjust how I seek relief for my menopause symptoms. Sleepless nights accompany hot flashes as part of my nightly routine­—and, let’s just be honest, my levels of stress and anxiety have significantly increased, making me a hormonal mess. I’ve compensated by eating lots of foods that are both good and bad for me. Eggs for breakfast and lots of ice cream for dessert. Before COVID-19, my hot flashes were subtle. I would feel a little warm, but it was easy to find ways to cool down. This usually meant putting on cooler clothing or simply adjusting the temperature in my home. As time progressed, however, these subtle symptoms have become more persistent and intense. Simply being warm has escalated to feeling as though my entire head has been placed inside an oven. The heat is so extreme that I usually break out into a sweat, regardless of what I’m wearing. I’ve noticed that my hair is thinning, the usual fullness around my hairline has slowly started to disappear. Seeing strands of hair in the sink and in the shower has become an unfortunate norm—I’ve had to become creative when styling my hair. I’m convinced my hormones are trying to ruin my life. Perhaps this wouldn’t be such a horrifying experience if it were discussed more openly. Menopause is a journey that most women will experience and we’re collectively struggling with symptoms—yearning for comfort for what’s happening to our bodies. Monthly periods will come to an end as we stop producing estrogen and our ovaries stop releasing eggs. While I’m embracing this journey, I’ve had symptoms that have wreaked havoc on my body: hot flashes, restlessness, hair loss, mood changes, weight gain, and a slowed metabolism. I’ve had to begin managing my menopause instead of continuing to allow my menopause to manage me. As it’s escalated through COVID-19, I’ve come to adjust and rely on these self-care actions to bring peace to my body and relief to my symptoms. Not your average menopause journey...  Since being inside has become the new normal, it’s become paramount for me to get my body moving as much as possible. The idea of motivating myself to make time for exercise was daunting. Slowly, I’ve begun to incorporate walking into my daily routine. The first few weeks were challenging, and I could only walk one mile a day. As time has progressed, I’m walking almost four miles a day—and I feel great. The fresh air and, to be honest, minimal interaction with people has helped me to forget about my symptoms. I actually look forward to being outdoors. On days where the weather prevents me from getting out, I work out with a weighted hula hoop, which I’ve been enjoying immensely. It brings me back to childhood, and it’s actually pretty easy. I’m learning that regardless of what it is, finding ways to just move helps me feel in control of my body again. Staying healthy while staying sane With all of the hormonal adjustments occurring, I now understand that my nutritional needs have also changed. Previously my diet consisted of lots of starches and fat. I was unable to resist potato chips, cookies, and the occasional full breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and cheesy grits. I thrived off carbs, but I’ve come to realize they are now slowing me down. Over quarantine, I’ve reacquainted myself with my kitchen. I’ve taken up a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and I include lean sources of protein (poultry, lean meats, and fish) to balance it out. Trips to the local farmers market have allowed me to select the freshest items—and also get me out of the house. I’ve gotten creative when preparing my meals, and long gone are the days where I rely on just a simple smoothie for breakfast. A meal I’ve been preparing lately is zucchini squash, sauteed with onions, ground chicken, or turkey. I top it off with fresh parmesan cheese or even jazz it up with sun-dried tomatoes and have a meal that is ready within thirty minutes. I also try to nourish my body with water. Dehydration makes it harder for your body to perform, which can lead to fatigue and difficulty concentrating. I try to drink a minimum of 80 ounces of water daily to keep me hydrated. There’s a running joke in my house about how many water bottles I’ll take to bed with me, but let’s be real, this isn’t an easy feat. In fact, some days I struggle. I focus on drinking two water bottles before 12 p.m. and two more in the afternoon. I’m usually able to finish them in the evening or while I’m sleeping. Sleep is as essential as essential oils Of course, restful and plentiful sleep is important at all times—for everyone—but with menopause, I’ve found waking up with hot flashes has become my nemesis. I've combatted daytime tiredness by setting up a sleep pattern which entails going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends. The consistency allows me to unwind and rest peacefully. And we all know lavender remedies anxiety, eases stress, and creates calmness in the body, so nightly, I sprinkle a few drops on my pillowcase. These simple, consistent routines provide relief to an otherwise restless night. Menopause can be overwhelming; the journey is full of many twists and turns; ups and downs. Staying safe and healthy has become a priority for everyone. But while we are social distancing, it’s important to remain focused on ourselves, take care of our bodies, and relax our minds. And just like COVID-19, this too will come to an end.