Have you had The Second Talk? {Giveaway}
Milestone birthdays always spark a torrent of reflection, and over the past year, I've done my fair share of looking back at what I've achieved. I've spent my last decade in a safe, happy cocoon, raising my kids, watching them grow from babies to kids. On a personal level, I've learned more about who I am, and what I want to do, and how to be comfortable with myself.
Now that I'm in my forties, I find myself looking forward to the next 10 or 15 years. I'm entering a completely different stage in my life, so I know the changes will be significant. Here are a few that I'm expecting, hoping for and dreading:
Doctors will find a cure for cancer.
Scientists will discover life somewhere in the universe.
My three children will leave home and go away to college.
My ninety-three year-old grandmother will likely pass away.
I will experience menopause.
Did that last one surprise you? I started menstruating fairly early (age 11), so I always thought I'd run out of eggs sooner than most. Then again, most women experience menopause between the ages of 40 and 58 (with an average age of 51), so it's not a huge stretch for me to expect it to happen in the next decade.
In some ways, I think menopause will be a relief -- no more awful menstrual cramps or bloating. Or maybe I'm just saying that to console myself about the other, not-so- great things that come with menopause. You're dry during sex but you pee in your pants. Your bones become brittle just as you gain weight.
And the hot flashes, oh, the hot flashes! All the horror stories I hear about menopause have to do with hot flashes and sweating. My mother-in-law got into endless squabbles with her husband because she kept kicking the blankets off in the middle of winter (she tells me her night sweats left her so drenched that she could literally wring her nightdress out). Unfortunately, she was drenched in all the wrong places -- she says if only she had a bit more moisture in, ummm, more private places, at least they'd have had some great make-up sex after all those squabbles! But no, menopause had to ruin the fun of make-up sex, too.
My own mother broke her own decades-long aversion to sleeveless tops for my sister's
wedding because she figured the mother of the bride would probably not look her best
with sweat drenching her gown (It's always good form to compliment the mother of the
bride for looking as youthful and fit as her daughter, but I don't think stained armpits is the kind of "hot" my mother was going for). I have a thyroid disorder, so I already feel uncomfortably warm when my husband is wrapped up in sweaters and blankets. Add a hot flash to that, and I'm moving to Iceland.
No, menopause is definitely no picnic, and I'll take any and all the help I can get to get through it with the minimum of discomfort and embarrassment. So it's nice to know that Poise is coming out with a line of products to help -- personal lubricant, roll-on cooling gel, and body cooling towelettes. They even have an online site, the2ndtalk.com, where you can share what you're going through and get information
and support. You can even share your embarrassing stories and feel a bit better
knowing that you're not the only one who feels like stripping down to her underwear all the time. Not that I have anything against Iceland, but it sure sounds a lot easier than relocating halfway across the world!
Win a “Hot Flash Prize Pack” from Poise
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win a Hot Flash Prize Pack featuring a $50 gift card and Poise products.
Required Entry
Join the 2nd talk at the2ndtalk.com and share your experiences with menopause, whether you have gone through it yourself or you've had a friend who has gone through it. Then leave a comment on this post and give me a short recap of the story you shared.
Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).
1) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)
2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)
3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)
4) Pin this giveaway on Pinterest (you can use the "pin it" button below! -- 1 entry).
5) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the Poise giveaway!
6) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Win a Hot Flash gift pack w/ $50 giftcard from Poise ! #giveaway
The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on November 7, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on November 8 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.
Disclosure: This is a paid post, courtesy of Poise. All views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Tweet this!
I joined The 2nd Talk and shared my story, which was really just an expression of my concern for the intimacy between my husband and me when menopause starts. I am still a number of years away from it, but as I approach 40 I think about it more and more. Like you, I am sort of looking forward to it, but I am a little bit concerned about some of the hormonal effects.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I follow via GFC/Blogger!
ReplyDeleteh4schaffer at gmail dot com
I pinned this!
ReplyDeletehttp://pinterest.com/pin/152207662377723881/
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I wrote on your FB wall!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/10151220149338151
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I follow you on Twitter and I tweeted!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/258130936816869377
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/258506790453530624
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
i'm not going through it but my mom is, i wrote how i was not looking forward to it at all, carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteFollow bonggamom on Pinterest @carawling, carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/carawling2/status/258575748879745025
ReplyDeletecarawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/258849535193915393
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/carawling2/status/258974467735293952
ReplyDeletecarawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
https://twitter.com/carawling2/status/259256460872138752
ReplyDeletecarawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/259602442491154432
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/259948256077959168
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/260310883023085568
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Joined the 2ndtalk and shared my story:
ReplyDeleteI'm 51 and starting showing signs of hot flashes and irregular periods about 2 years ago. Now, my periods are seldom if any and I am experiencing hot flashes and night sweats almost daily. Honestly, it's not too bad but I still hate the idea of "going through the change."
Thanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
Follow on Pinterest (Margaret Smith/rickpeggysmith)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
Follow on FB (Margaret E. Smith) and commented: https://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds#!/BonggamomFinds/posts/10151229429558151
ReplyDeleteThanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
Follow on twitter (peg42) and tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/260339406781677568
ReplyDeleteThanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
https://twitter.com/carawling/status/260522365325291520
ReplyDeletecarawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/260697515135991808
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/carawling/status/260839846380199937
ReplyDeletecarawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/261079556843266049
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/carawling/status/261188865304457216
ReplyDeletecarawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/261420669131169792
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/carawling/status/261446186941169665
ReplyDeletecarawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/261786248786628609
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/262166208730783744
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/262484868200554496
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I wrote my post called "early"ish" menopause about how my mom went through hers early and I hope to have as easy of a time with it as she seemed to.
ReplyDeleteKellywcuATyahooDOTcom
I follow you on Blogger(kellyr78)
ReplyDeleteKellywcuATyahooDOTcom
I follow you on pinterest(Kelly Saver)
ReplyDeleteKellywcuATyahooDOTcom
I wrote on your FB page that I entered.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/#!/BonggamomFinds/posts/10151238501648151
kellywcuATyahooDOTcom
I follow you on twitter(Kellydinpa) And tweeted
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/Kellydinpa/status/262560166313070593
kellywcuATyahooDOTcom
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/262884787054845956
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I joined the talk, and shared about my experiences with early menopause at age 35 due to lupus kidney failure and trying to find a treatment that I could tolerate with my limitations due to health history.
ReplyDeleteTweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/263218524552568832
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/carawling/status/263363627963281408
ReplyDeletecarawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/263582232139145216
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/carawling/status/263671042604687360
ReplyDeletecarawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/263976893919928321
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/carawling/status/264031048512442368
ReplyDeletecarawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Joined 'The Second Talk' and shared my story which discusses my hysterectomy at age 22 as well as my bouts with menopausal symptoms over the years.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.poise.com/personal-stories-and-blogs/stories-from-real-women/written-story?threadID=800001306
callawishes(at)hotmail(dot)com
Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger as Shay
ReplyDeletecallawishes(at)hotmail(dot)com
Pinned
ReplyDeletehttp://pinterest.com/pin/108156828522613423/
callawishes(at)hotmail(dot)com
Wrote on you Facebook wall as Sherrie Cruson
ReplyDeletecallawishes(at)hotmail(dot)com
Following you on twitter @callawishes2 and tweeted
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/callawishes2/status/264152490566635520
I posted to their community as Michele under First signs of Menopause... I am currently going through some of the body changes now-skipped periods, breast tenderness, sore back, cold flashes (only 1 hot flash so far) chest pains & palpitations (dr. checked me out, NOT my heart thank goodness)and it was nice to know there is a community out there for an almost 47 yr old woman to go to where I can read about others issues & know I am not alone!
ReplyDeletemicaela6955 at msn dot com
your gfc follower michele p
ReplyDeletemicaela6955 at msn dot com
your pinterest follower michele pineda
ReplyDeletemicaela6955 at msn dot com
your twitter follower micaela6955 tweet https://twitter.com/micaela6955/status/264176233212952577
ReplyDeletemicaela6955 at msn dot com
left comment on your FB page https://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/10151246129403151
ReplyDeleteas Michele PIneda
micaela6955 at msn dot com
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/264205862225211392
ReplyDeleteslehan at juno dot com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/264295754561114112
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/264488506292850688
ReplyDeleteslehan at juno dot com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/264704490870034432
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I joined and I shared a story about my mom when she was going through menopause.
ReplyDeletepokergrl8 at gmail.com
ReplyDeletefollowing you on pinterest as http://pinterest.com/mandy375/ (amanda sakovitz)
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
http://pinterest.com/pin/216735800788649101/
ReplyDeletepokergrl8 at gmail.com
I wrote on your wall
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/10151248321998151
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
follow & tweet
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/aes529/status/264759355247828992
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
I joined and talked about my wife going through menopause
ReplyDeleterounder9834 at yahoo dot com
gfc follower thomas murphy
ReplyDeleterounder9834 at yahoo dot com
following you on pinterest http://pinterest.com/rounder9834/
ReplyDeleterounder9834 at yahoo dot com
I pinned
ReplyDeletehttp://pinterest.com/pin/38280665554202167/
I wrote on your wall
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/10151248789428151
following and tweeted
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/264856015869198336
rounder9834 at yahoo dot com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/265078099048288256
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/265134143875194880
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/265204422366339072
ReplyDeleterounder9834 @yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/265237695838691328
ReplyDeleteslehan at juno dot com
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/265393010748039168
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
my story was questions about menopause jen gersch intime@myself.com
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/265538007568891904
ReplyDeleterounder9834 @yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/265565840487903232
ReplyDeletepokergrl8 at gmail.com
Daily tweet
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/callawishes2/status/265617019880222721
I went into menopause very early, due to surgery to remove my ovaries. It's not fun, but you deal with the hot flashes and make stupid jokes with my other friends dealing with it
ReplyDeleteDiane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/265655141837975552
ReplyDeleteslehan at juno dot com
My Mom has gone through with no problems whatsoever. Hope I am as lucky.
ReplyDeleteDigicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I follow you on Pinterest as cezovski9
ReplyDeleteDigicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I follow you on Twitter as MsCarolsueA and I tweeted
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/MsCarolsueA/status/265750532633788416
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Tweet!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/265758183761539072
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/265910542072426497
ReplyDeleterounder9834 @yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/265979968746561536
ReplyDeletepokergrl8 at gmail.com
Daily tweet
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/callawishes2/status/265991564470407168
Last day tweet! :)
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/266097310000365569
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I joined 2nd talk and shared my story I'm 49 and started going through menapause a couple of years ago. I was kind of suprised because I thought I was a bit young. While I love not having my period I don't like the hot flashes and the change in moods I experience. I think I have cried more in this last year than I have my entire life.
ReplyDeletes2s2 at comcast dot net
http://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/10151254441683151
ReplyDeletewrote on your wall
s2s2 at comcast dot net
follow via Pinterest susan12151962
ReplyDeletes2s2 at comcast dot net
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/266198990335397888
ReplyDeletes2s2 at comcast dot net
http://pinterest.com/pin/185773553350561845/
ReplyDeletefollow via GFC
ReplyDeletes2s2 at comcast dot net
i shared a story about my mom who has been through the change
ReplyDeletesusansmoaks at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/266290168963682305
ReplyDeleterounder9834 @yahoo.com
My mom went through it a few years ago.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/aes529/status/266350276003368960
ReplyDeletepokergrl8 at gmail.com
I wrote about how I am looking forward to it and afraid at the same time. Not sure how my relationship with my husband will change.
ReplyDeleteemail/ daveshir2005@yahoo.com
fb/ shirley greenawalt zolenski
pinned
ReplyDeletehttp://pinterest.com/pin/193514115210227079/
email/ daveshir2005@yahoo.com
posted on your fb wall
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/10151255381293151
email/ daveshir2005@yahoo.com
follow u on twitter as daveshir2005 and tweeted
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/daveshir2005/status/266355503553204226
email/ daveshir2005@yahoo.com
Daily tweet
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/callawishes2/status/266367442773741568
I wrote about how I am not looking forward to it.
ReplyDeletejulie hawkins
honeypie411 at yahoo dot com
follow on interest as honeypie411
ReplyDeletehneypie411 at yahoo dot com
pin:http://pinterest.com/pin/205969382929496938/
ReplyDeletehoneypie411 at yahoo dot com
tweet:https://twitter.com/jhoneypie411/status/266383746675134464
ReplyDeletehoneypie411 at yahoo dot com
wrote on your fb;https://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/10151255502493151
ReplyDeletehoneypie411 at yahoo dot com
I haven't experienced menopause yet but I have heard all of te horrific tales about hot flashes. garrettsambo@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI shared my story of mood swings titled "What I didn't know"
ReplyDeleteI didn't think I had mood swings but my daughter let me know that my mood swings had been pretty dramatic. Of course, that was 20 years ago and maybe I just forgot :)
willitara [at] gmail [dot] com
I follow with GFC.
ReplyDeleteBetty C
I follow on Pinterest.
ReplyDeleteBetty Curran (http://pinterest.com/bettycurr/)
Pinned it.
ReplyDeletehttp://pinterest.com/pin/122089839869810508/
I commented on Facebook.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/10151255621608151
I follow on Twitter and tweeted - https://twitter.com/willitara/status/266423337419436032
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/slehan/status/266402308542312449
ReplyDeleteslehan at juno dot com
My mom went through it and didn't have any problems so I'm hoping that my experience is similar to hers.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the winner: #96, susansmoakes!
ReplyDelete