Menopause discussed...

Was chatting with a very learned lady on this topic and she was the best person to consult on Menopause....

Because she started a support group for menopausal women 12years ago. Today the support group has a big group of dedicated volunteers who go around to even the different community clubs to set up "booth" for anyone to ask them questions in a walk-in fashion.

For every woman, the hormonal changes that the body under go each month is interesting enough to create massive blood flow out of the body, preparation for a potential sucessful fertilisation and in turn causes the woman to have mood swings.

In the 12years of this lady's career as a support group volunteer, she revealed that she lost one woman. This woman was severely depressed as a result of menopause and before the support group could do their part for her, she has given up on herself and committed suicide.

Sad to think and even know that one can be so utterly depressed that they want to kill themself isnt it?

Then she related another case to us.... Lets' call her M.

M called up this lady one morning asking her when is her next support group meeting. It was a monday. The next meeting was on Friday. M told her that she cannot wait till Friday to talk to someone about her issues. So sensing that this is an urgent case and unable to find a suitable meeting time. This lady suggested for M to come over to her home to talk to her immediately. M quickly responded that she's at work and will not be able to leave until the evening. So this lady told her to come by the same day to her home since she'll be at home whole day. At 3pm, M called to say that she could get a few hours early off work to meet her. So they met at this lady's home.

M revealed that she's feeling sucidal for about 2weeks. She's in late 40s, start of her menopause. She also attributed her depression to her son's poor behaviour in school. Causing her to have to attend frequent teacher-parent meetings, to assure the school that she will take the son's behaviour in hand.

Upon further query, this lady asked how long has the son been having issues in school? M replied to say for the past year.

So this lady asked, why it did not bother her for the whole year and only in the past 2 weeks?

M was finally convinced that it was the hormonal imbalance in her body that is making her feel so depressed.

This lady suggested for M to go on the hormonal replacement therapy to free herself from the depressed state. M revealed that she has the pills and was not sure if she should start the program.

This lady gave M a run-down of what hormonal replacement therapy can do for her and told her that she'll see the difference in 10days if she takes the pills accordingly.

Still, M was not willing to step out of her comfort zone (or depressed state)....

This lady, with a quick mind striked a bargain with M. She told M, look, you called and came to see me, I let you into my home, you should give me something in return for my time isnt it? So take this pills for 10days, promise me that you will and I'll see you at our next support group meeting in 10days' time. Can you do that for me?

M was moved and agreed.

M did not turn up for the next support group meeting in 10days' time...

Instead, M appeared much later on, but a whole now person, cheerful, positive, approachable. She was thankful for the advice that she took.

What a change!

In this story, I'm hoping to share the thought that if one person can recognise the signs early for depression/mood swings, we can readily find an appropriate solution for it. And no one should suffer alone. For any good or poor reasons, seek help. Talk to a friend, a colleague if you need to, its a healthy outlet to share your woes. M was able to see doctor about her menopausal state, get hold of the pills for HRT for it, continued to seek help when she was not convinced of the effects of the pills and finally got herself out of her depression.

Sometimes it really takes alot of effort to get out of our situation. But we've gotta take that first step and TRY.