Dear Queen,
You have been busy working to provide for yourself and others. You care for everyone around you – friends, family and maybe even coworkers. Your days may be filled with long hours at work or staying at home caring for loved ones. What day is it again? Who knows. You just keep going.
I’m here to tell you that you can take a pause. Are there things going on in your body that concern you? If you are over the age of 40 you may be experiencing symptoms associated with menopause. When was your last period? Not sure. It’s OK, you are busy. Are your periods regular – meaning do you bleed once a month? Menopause comes with hormonal fluctuations that may cause your periods to change in duration or even skip months.
Early Fall is upon us now but you may be sweating from more than the heat. Do you feel flushed occasionally? Perhaps you just say to yourself “I just deal with it”. Cold sweats? You changed the type of clothing you wear in warm seasons and limited outdoor activity during hot days and oh yeah – you had your eye on those cooling sheet on sale at Kohls.
Data says that up to 80 percent of women in perimenopause experience hot flashes but guess what? Only 20-30 percent of these women actually seek medical attention. Data also says that women of color, especially black women, are less likely to seek help compared to other races.
Menopause can be sneaky. Maybe your periods are normal and you aren’t wearing a fan-necklace – you know the ones I’m talking about right? We have all seen women wearing them. Perhaps you are just irritable. Things are just not what they used to be. You may find that you have lost some of your resolve and that you are easily triggered (losing your keys threw off your entire day or that person’s response just really upset you). Menopause can cause mood changes that feel like PMS and/or depression.
I have some patients that only experience “brain fog”. They are forgetful, have difficulty retrieving words – it can be so annoying and scary too. Some of my patients only have insomnia or low libido – both of which affects your sexual health. Many women say that it took them years to seek help because of fear of judgement from medical professionals.
Some people call menopause “The change” like its some ominous event that drastically changes your life forever. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be. If God allows you to live long enough – you will experience menopause. It is a natural part of aging. Every woman experiences menopause differently. This is why it is important to listen to your body. You don’t have to suffer in silence or “just deal with it”. There are safe treatments. You are not alone.
Guess what? You took a pause for yourself by reading this letter. Kudos. I think you can now take the next step to reflect and survey how your mind and body are feeling.
Peace.
-Dr. Amber Glenn
Filling my cup before I attempt to fill others
Dr. Amber Glenn is an exceptionally skilled and compassionate physician dedicated to serving the community of Smyrna, Georgia and surrounding areas. With her extensive knowledge and expertise in Obstetrics & Gynecology, she has become a trusted name in the field. Amber’s commitment to delivering high-quality care is evident through her more than 7 years of experience, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the unique needs and concerns of her patients.