I work from home most of the time. My job is computer based, but yesterday I had to go to a conference.

So there was just me, and a couple men, one in his late 30's the other in his early 50's, discussing this computer program (I was the one explaining it to them because I work with it all the time).

Anyhoo, I didn't feel nervous, or stressed, but all of a sudden started with the slow burn, hot flushed face feeling. I knew I was having a hot flash, and I also knew that when I have these kinds of flushes they can last for 10 minutes or so. I don't sweat, but I do turn three shades of red.

I just ignored it, and kept on talking, but at one point, one of the guys said, "Can I get you a drink of water?" I knew it would pass without the water, so I refused the water and just kept on explaining the program.

Should I have confessed to the hot flash at the time (I knew they were noticing the bright red face and must have been puzzled)?

Later in the day, I remarked to the younger man that I had had a major hot flash during the meeting, and he said, "I wondered why your face was so red."

They probably thought I was "stroking out", LOL.

Anyway, for those in the workplace...how do you usually handle a situation like this. Do you tell, or just keep the reason for your beet red face to yourself?

For me it would depend on who the men were. You never know how guys will react to the 'M' word. Few are sympathic, some just act like they didn't hear you & some freak as if you'd insulted their Mother!! Of course many men might not even notice the red face.... heck some wouldn't notice if you had a cauliflower sprouting out of your forehead!

Dawn-I've had many a hot flash at work (restauarant) and never said a word unless I knew the customer pretty well, and then we'd get a pretty good chuckle. Outside of work I've gotten to the point now that I am not embarassed in any way whatsoever bringing up the M word to just about anybody. I came to the conclusion that it can, in fact, be quite comical at times. When I can't remember my own phone number when asked, when I can't remember my exact age when asked, I will say something like, "Ack!! Menopause! It gave me an extra 25 pounds and took away my memory" or "I'm truly not this stupid, I'm simply having a menopausal moment". I think there has just been so many negatives put on menopause...no, it's no picnic in the park, but I've decided to try to see the lighter side of it and go at it with a positive attitude and have as many chuckles as I can (my motto: It could be worse..I could be THIS age and pregnant!). So I wish you many chuckles!

Boyzmom- Love the cauliflower comment. So true, so true!!!

Thanks for the replies.

My teenage son used to say at the most inopportune times, "Hey Mom, why is your face so red?"

As far as mental lapses, I usually tell the person that it must be "mental pause."

My sister's kids say she has "mean-o-pause", when she's in a bad mood!

Meg- I love your attitude! I'm doing pretty well with the humorous side right now b/c my symptoms have eased up ... remind me again when they come back, will you?

Dawn- mean-o-pause is great! I'm sure my boys would appreciate that one but I have discussed it with them. Maybe I should so they don't think good ol' Mom is really losin' it.

ooops! Meant to say "Haven't" discussed it with them.....
there's that mental-pause again!!