When I decided to have a baby at 40, I understood I might be stretching time a little. I expected to be the oldest mom in Kindergarten and almost 60 at Ravyn’s graduation. My poor husband thinks we will never be able to retire 😂 What I did not expect was to experience hot flashes at 42 years old.
Its kind of like when you are a teenager and you think that you are indestructible. I thought I had way more time before hot flashes. Honestly, I am young, and I just had a baby and feel like I am 25. In my mind, hot flashes happen to women in their 50’s. However most recently, I am having moments where I feel extremely hot. Are these hot flashes?
Its just global warming right?
Surprise! Perimenopause
I decided to look up “perimenopause”. I do not suggest you do! The internet is full of information of what we can expect in perimenopause. Irregular periods, migraines, mood swings, vaginal dryness, hot flashes and night sweats are some of the exciting symptoms we can look forward to.
Seriously? So, after pushing a watermelon out of our vagina’s several times, having our boobs destroyed by babies, having to cross our legs when we sneeze, PMS and menstrual cramps, we get to have these fun things happen? I know you are excited already but I held back one symptom, weight gain…especially around the middle. Wow, I get to be moody, hot, and fatter with a dry vagina…I can not wait.
To save you the time and trouble of looking up hot flashes, here is what to expect. Let’s look at what you happens for 10-15 years of hot flashes.
- In your 40’s: Perimenopause including hot flashes begins.
- From 46-54: This is the average age of menopause. You can look forward to hot flashes being most frequent in the two years after menopause.
- In your late 50s: Most women continue to have hot flashes anywhere from 4-10 years after menopause. Let me repeat that, 4-10th years!
Above all, here is one last bomb for you. Hot flashes can be triggered by coffee and red wine!
The Bright Side
So, we can not change genetics, perimenopause and menopause is coming to us all. I had to stop today and think of the bright side.
- We can have babies. The bond we have with our babies is strong as we carry them within our bodies. I am truly grateful for this bond and my kids.
Layers! We get to rock the tank top all year long as we sport several layers in anticipation of the hot flash.- Brisk winter days will no longer be bone chilling experiences as you have extra heat for protection
- No more PMS after menopause
- No more periods after menopause
- Saving money on PMS and period products! No more advil, tampons and chocolate gobbling each month! We will be rich!
So there you have it. There is a reason we did not learn this in health class. I wish you all mild heat waves and air conditioned homes.
Have anything to add? Should I know about anything else? I would love to hear from you.
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