I’ve never been one who wants to talk about menopause- or even acknowledge that it exists for me.   I think it’s a little of my decision to not age gracefully. Years ago, I decided I would battle aging every step of the way.

But, I’ve been dealing with menopause for a long time. For me, it started in my early 40s. I wasn’t sleeping well.  When I started skipping periods it dawned on me that maybe my sleeplessness was “the change.”  So, I went to the gyno (a very nice woman doctor) and she suggested black cohosh, an herb. It worked like a charm for years.

But lately, the sleeplessness is back. As a matter of fact, I haven’t slept well in the last year.

When I returned to my  doctor, she recommended hormone replacement therapy (HRT).  I have to admit as much as I trusted her, I was concerned. I mean, didn’t women die from that? But, at that point, I felt that I might also die if I never slept again. What could I do?

After talking with a few other experts, they reassured me that HRT has come a long way and it’s a good option.  I was amazed just by the sleep I got in just the first week.  For the first time in years, I woke a bit groggy coming out of a deep sleep.

Two weeks later I was telling every girl friend I know about how much better I felt. I couldn’t tell if it was the HRT or just the fact that for the first time in years I was sleeping good long sleepy nights. I was ecstatic.

Then a funny thing happened. All of a sudden at a conference, I realized that I was remembering everyone’s name around the table.  ‘That’s weird’ I thought, ‘I can’t remember names ever and now they’re coming easily to me’. I couldn’t believe it.  I thought I was just getting naturally forgetful.  Could I have had the “foggy brain” that menopausal women complain about? But I had to admit, suddenly it I felt like a cloudy piece of cellophane was peeled off my brain and things were clear.

Other surprising things started happening. At work, the last few years had been tough because my confidence had waned. But quickly I noticed my confidence has returned. I felt like I used to be, ready to kick ass and anxious to work on new projects.

And along with this, I realized that I no longer felt like a dried up old prune. When a man checked me out and smiled as he drove by. I felt young and sexy.  It made me realize that I hadn’t felt that way in a very long time.

I can’t shut my mouth about it- I’m telling all my girlies about my experience. Sure, it hasn’t been without negative things too- my skin is a bit dry and I’m struggling with keeping weight off. But for me it’s worth it.

What started out as a way to get some sleep, has fixed a hormone imbalance that had been affecting many parts of my life. I just wasn’t aware.   So, even if you’re fighting aging every step of the way, don’t tune out the problems you may be experiencing like I did. Life is too short- no matter your age.

Enjoy and Keep Rockin!

Read more from Virginia Sullivan on her blog, First Class Woman