QUOTE (XIII @ Apr 2 2009, 09:35 PM) 
I too, think that this thread is important. One of the most difficult aspects is that some women genuinely do not suffer in the menopause and it makes we, 'unfortunate ones,' look like spineless, moaning hypochondriacs. Grrrrrrr! How unfair is that?
The second problem is that we also fall victim to the psyche of the medical profession. I have worked with many doctors and I have realised that they hate to admit that they are beaten. In reality they have failed to be able to really help women with severe menopausal symptoms in a completely safe and effective manner, full stop. Many of my more intelligent colleagues have admitted as much. Treating the symptoms is not the same as curing the problem. The more I learn about menopause the more I realise that it is a mind blowingly complex problem. Doctors cannot even treat patients with thyroid diseases effectively and they have long given up on trying to tackle auto-immune diseases. Unfortunately menopause falls into the same virtually 'untreatable' category. There are some ladies here who appear to have had success with hormonal therapies but many have been to hell and back trying to get things 'balanced.' Whatever that is supposed to mean. The body is a complex machine that controls cell function by minute changes in hormonal status via feedback mechanisms and we try to emulate this with varying success. Sadly, our bodies change from hour to hour, so trying to second guess our requirements even over a 24 hour period has got to be a tall order. I suppose I can understand why many medics run in the opposite direction when menopause is mentioned. However, as a woman I would prefer that they admitted the truth, cut the money making bullsh*t and at least treated me with some empathy. I suppose I have come to the uncomfortable realisation that there are no easy answers out there and I am on my own, stumbling through a very unpleasant period of my life. I am also aware that I can't expect someone who has sailed through menopause to understand what I have been through. That's life I'm afraid. To be fair, I am glad that I was not aware of what I would have to face at this time of life. It might have spoiled the good times!
Women certainly need to be very tough to get through all this in one piece.
I still have faith that I have the strength to get through all this. (On the good days, that is!
)
XIII
The second problem is that we also fall victim to the psyche of the medical profession. I have worked with many doctors and I have realised that they hate to admit that they are beaten. In reality they have failed to be able to really help women with severe menopausal symptoms in a completely safe and effective manner, full stop. Many of my more intelligent colleagues have admitted as much. Treating the symptoms is not the same as curing the problem. The more I learn about menopause the more I realise that it is a mind blowingly complex problem. Doctors cannot even treat patients with thyroid diseases effectively and they have long given up on trying to tackle auto-immune diseases. Unfortunately menopause falls into the same virtually 'untreatable' category. There are some ladies here who appear to have had success with hormonal therapies but many have been to hell and back trying to get things 'balanced.' Whatever that is supposed to mean. The body is a complex machine that controls cell function by minute changes in hormonal status via feedback mechanisms and we try to emulate this with varying success. Sadly, our bodies change from hour to hour, so trying to second guess our requirements even over a 24 hour period has got to be a tall order. I suppose I can understand why many medics run in the opposite direction when menopause is mentioned. However, as a woman I would prefer that they admitted the truth, cut the money making bullsh*t and at least treated me with some empathy. I suppose I have come to the uncomfortable realisation that there are no easy answers out there and I am on my own, stumbling through a very unpleasant period of my life. I am also aware that I can't expect someone who has sailed through menopause to understand what I have been through. That's life I'm afraid. To be fair, I am glad that I was not aware of what I would have to face at this time of life. It might have spoiled the good times!
Women certainly need to be very tough to get through all this in one piece.
I still have faith that I have the strength to get through all this. (On the good days, that is!
)XIII
Very, very well said XIII. I think that I have become as tough as an old boot as a result of what I've had to endure. Maybe we shall come out of the other end of the process of menopause as wise and balanced creatures. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!