Celebrate Being a Woman

This post, Celebrate Being a Woman, was compensated as part of a social shopper insights study forCollectiveBias™ and Poise #CBias #SocialFabric.  All opinions are my own.

Now that I’m in my forties, I have my eye towards the future knowing that the big ‘change’ will be here before I know it. 

Part of me is ready to embrace it fully as it is the next stage in my life. 
But, part of me is not as eager to get there. 

The lack of eagerness on my part is a combination of knowing it means the ends of possibility for having another child as well as a little fear about how I will be affected by the change.

Just like there are well-meaning people who will share nightmarish birth stories with an expectant mother, there are plenty of scary tales of menopause out there. 

I’m trying really hard to not listen to those.   Instead, I’m doing my own research into what changes are common and plan to listen to my body for what I need.

Poise has a fabulous site that includes a LOT of information about menopause and perimenopause. 

Did you realize that menopause is really referred to as one year of no periods and NOT the symptoms that are considered the hallmark of menopause for women? 

Perimenopause (which I’m pretty sure I’ve entered) can be a long period of time with those symptoms (like the infamous hot flashes.)

When a hot flash hit me during my last pregnancy, I felt like sticking my head into the freezer!

With some of those symptoms (irritability, changing cycles, and trouble sleeping) happening more frequently now, I figure it’s time for what is being called the 2nd talk. 

In recent weeks, I’ve found myself chatting more about it with other girlfriends in their early to mid-40s as we are all starting to notice some changes. 

And, I’m hoping to spend a bit more time talking with my mom about her own experiences which I know were made a little different from a complete hysterectomy before perimenopause was over.

Bridging the gap for now, was a visit to Poise’s Fab Five over at Walmart’s website.  There are some short videos that showcase the common symptoms and which Poise products address the issues.  At the end of the segment, you can print a coupon.

Did you know that there is a World Menopause Day? 
October 18th has been celebrated as such since 1984. 

What a great time to celebrate our womanhood and break some taboos by talking with other women about menopause.   You can join other women around the globe by visiting Poise’s site to “Join the 2nd Talk.

Along with all of the education about menopause on the Poise site, they also showcase their products for women at this stage of life.  I recently visited our local Walmart and found a few of the new products made especially to help women with the common symptoms. 
(Check out all the photos from my shop in my Google+ album.)

 
Got a hot flash? 
You can grab a cooling towelette to help cool you down and supply a nice floral scent at the same time. 
There’s also a roll-on cooling gel to dab onto key points of your body (e.g. the wrists and forehead) when that hot flash starts to take hold. 
I really wish I’d had something like this when my body decided a few hot flashes during my last pregnancy would make things interesting!

Experiencing some dryness that’s impacting intimate relationships? 
Check out their personal lubricant. 

Feel like you just aren’t fresh and in need of another bath? 
Poise’s Feminine Wash and Panty Fresheners could help you feel better.

Now that I have a few products on hand, I’m feeling a bit more confident about embracing all the changes coming my way.

You can keep up with Poise’s latest information and offers through their social media, too.

Poise on Facebook
Poise on Twitter
Poise on Pinterest

As for my current view of menopause, I see it as a stage in life when we undergo a metamorphosis of sorts with us blooming into more beautiful women.