Those of us who did vote for Harris-and those who didn’t —all deserve research on and access to midlife women’s health care. Like prescription coverage for vaginal estrogen. It’s time for women to have our fair share of research dollars and modern medicine.
yeah-but refrain from medicalizing it-it is a range of normal - and while everyone who needs care should get it, but please be informed, and 50% of women have NO symptoms, and all this attention brings fear to everyone who hasn't been through it yet, when only half will have issues. Just sayin'
Not meaning to bring fear, only awareness and help when needed. NIH research says 85% of women experience symptoms of varying type and severity. The important thing is women’s health is under attack in all different ways and we need to advocate for women at every stage of life. Menopausal awareness and normalization of this stage of life can only enhance our experience of this natural progresssion.
We are at this crossroads because the opposition has learned how to “play the long game.” The Heritage Foundation and the grooming of candidates for the Supreme Court are the consequence of non-government investments in this philosophical infrastructure. Can we “progressives/futurists” answer in kind?
Seems to me like the.real mantra is " precious is the male seed...discard the home ( womb) the male seed plundered for it's own life! Discard after use!
I hate to correct you, but ALL women will experience symptoms if they reach the age of menopause. Cessation of periods is one of them. While fewer women will experience severe symptoms, let's not downplay that this is going to affect every woman.
More funding for education and research might help with this very problem. Normal does not always mean comfortable, and ignoring symptoms can lead to delayed treatment for something else. Our bodies display symptoms to get our attention. The half you say don't get symptoms still hopefully get regular check-ups, as many female cancers are quiet until advanced.
Here we go. The naysayers are already chiming in. And by a woman, no less. So what if 50% of women have no symptoms. Just make all options available. Is that so hard?
you have misinterpreted my intention-of course all options should be available; throughout my years of menopause, although I had read huge books and tons of articles, and went to the dr as scheduled throughout(with no issues to be treated medically) I was impressed with the FEAR that women were fed for years. I wonder if this cultural attitude affects the psychological component of the experience. All I am suggesting, through my life experience, that menopause is presented as this horrible series of events which means the end of sexual activity and or meaningful life. Some of this is on us, as individual women-it's not all political griping about what isn't. You are not helpless.
Ahhh. Of course. "Site can't be reached." So much for women being allowed to do their own research, validate sources, and be proactive about their healthcare.
not sure why it was necessary to call me a moron, but I'm 72 and went through it with no symptoms years ago, as did others I know. I didn't say only 50 % go through it, just that some women don't need all the medical hovering which takes place. If you need help, get it, but don't frighten all women with scary personal stories, which seem to be the only experiences referenced here, Marie
I don't get the "no symptoms." A symptom of menopause is cessation of menses. Unavoidable. What goes along with that is some vaginal dryness -- not necessarily painful or bothersome except for sex, and maybe hot flashes. All extremely common. Do you mean no annoying symptoms?
my periods became less frequent and shorter over years. It stopped for good at 54, but I didn't consider the change in periods a "symptom"-just part of the process. never had a hot flash, and have never had a problem with vaginal dryness-I believe it just takes longer to be "ready." It's only painful if you are not sufficiently lubricated. Instead of being ready quickly, your partner and you need to not expect things to go as fast; but I still respond as always, it takes a little longer and neither of us take any medications for sex. Use it or lose it!
Let's keep this polite. Also, we are focusing on the politics of this and not personal experiences. Plus, 35 would be pretty young, on average, to be starting the hormonal progessions toward menopause.
I have had prescription coverage for vaginal estrogen for many years.
Below is a link to NAMS. Gynecologists who are certified by the North American menopause Society are up on the latest research and can prescribe treatments tailored to the individual. Standard care treats women all the same and we deserve evidence based treatments, not a one size fits all.
It’s more than about time that women of ALL stages of their lives get quality healthcare for whatever stage of life they are in and for whatever medical/physical issues they are likely to face as they move through life’s phases. As a 71-year-old woman who experienced several healthcare system failures in my lifetime, I hope that future generations get better treatment.
I always thought making the fight just about abortion was a mistake and very divisive. You can't really convert anyone on either side at this point anyway. But to emphasize that we are opening the door to politicians controlling *any* private decisions is something everyone can get behind, even if they feel strongly about 1 particular issue. The list is long: Abortion but also Medicare, Medical, health insurance, Death with Dignity, home birth, free-choices while pregnant, birth control, choosing Hospice over treatment, hysterectomies, vasectomies, organ transplants, stem cells, cancer treatments that may cause sterility, limits on research, terminating care to Allow Natural Death (AND), and so on. It's not just the govt paying for it, but like abortion - making procedures or choices *illegal*. If you let politicians decide, control of any of our personal health issues is on the chopping block.
Menopause can begin as early as age 40 or as late as the late 50’s. Whatever the age of menopause the woman’s physiology changes and it absolutely matters how their bodies react to medications and treatments. Most women are not included in clinical trials and especially not menopausal women. Results of drug trials cannot be extrapolated to women because of the physiological differences between men and women. The author is absolutely correct in her statement here.
I had a complete natural menopause at age 37, which they now call "ovarian insufficiency." (In retrospect, it was a bit like hitting the lottery.) Hormones affect every aspect of your life, often in very subtle ways. Definitely deserves more study.
“We owe women centuries of research.” - Yes, we need massive amounts of research across the full spectrum of women’s healthcare, including menopause. Even many female doctors (who are trained primarily in male-dominated medical schools) don’t appreciate the numerous differences between a female body and a male body. Or the fact that pharmaceutical drugs go through clinical trials with almost zero female participants, and yet we’re expected to use those drugs in the same way as a male. It’s as if we’re invisible.
I had an ectopic pregnancy in 1979. Prior to Roe v Wade women were left to bleedout. In 1980 giving birth to my 1st child, I ruptured and all but bledout. I spent 15 hours in recovery. Women are dying now because doctors and hospitals are too intimidated to save their lives! I am terribly afraid for my granddaughter!
This should be understood to be a personal and public health situation, and not a political football. As with ALL healthcare decisions by and for women, it should be between the individual and their doctor. Narrow-minded religious zealots and meddlers need not apply.
I was delighted to hear that more research is going into menopause. We also need to fund more education and outreach (you know, when we get a real president and congress) to physicians. In my experience, far too many - even the female healthcare providers - know next to nothing about menopause and only discuss the topic if you bring it up. Women are 50% of the population and yet we know little about our unique biology.
Thank you, Jennifer. At 92 I am well beyond the menopausal period of our lives. But I think a lot of the complaints I'm hearing from other residents here are possibly the lack of concern for the lack of interest in, or treatments of women aged 40 to 65. So, bravo, and good luck. I sincerely doubt you'll get any meaningful legislation from this current misogynistic regime but I hope you have success in the future.
If you think a pregnant woman can rage, do not, I repeat, do not piss off a menopausal woman. Mind you the orange dick head’s hamburgerlar hat wife is likely menopausal. I’m sure she WASN’T whispering sweet nothings in his rancid ear at the inaugural dance. It was probably more like commenting on the mushroom shape of his body parts. What is it, 3 yrs and 350 days? I don’t know if I want to survive or disappear. Mercy!
Boy, are you right about healthcare vs menopause. At the time I was experiencing that era of my life, we lost our insurance coverage. In the process of hunting down new coverage, I applied to HU----. Once they had all the medical information in their hands, one of their salespeople called me and let me know there would be no coverage for menopausal care. They considered it to be a pre-existing condition! I shouted at the guy that every woman in the country has that condition at one point or another. I told him to forget it. He asked me what we were going to do for healthcare coverage to which I replied "What do YOU care??"
JD Vance stated that the main purpose of postmenopausal women (like me) is to help care for the grandchildren, citing his mother-in-law as a shining example. I never procreated (by choice) and therefore have no grandchildren to care for, so does that make my continued existence irrelevant to today’s society?
Those of us who did vote for Harris-and those who didn’t —all deserve research on and access to midlife women’s health care. Like prescription coverage for vaginal estrogen. It’s time for women to have our fair share of research dollars and modern medicine.
yeah-but refrain from medicalizing it-it is a range of normal - and while everyone who needs care should get it, but please be informed, and 50% of women have NO symptoms, and all this attention brings fear to everyone who hasn't been through it yet, when only half will have issues. Just sayin'
Not meaning to bring fear, only awareness and help when needed. NIH research says 85% of women experience symptoms of varying type and severity. The important thing is women’s health is under attack in all different ways and we need to advocate for women at every stage of life. Menopausal awareness and normalization of this stage of life can only enhance our experience of this natural progresssion.
We are at this crossroads because the opposition has learned how to “play the long game.” The Heritage Foundation and the grooming of candidates for the Supreme Court are the consequence of non-government investments in this philosophical infrastructure. Can we “progressives/futurists” answer in kind?
Seems to me like the.real mantra is " precious is the male seed...discard the home ( womb) the male seed plundered for it's own life! Discard after use!
Unbelievable!
I hate to correct you, but ALL women will experience symptoms if they reach the age of menopause. Cessation of periods is one of them. While fewer women will experience severe symptoms, let's not downplay that this is going to affect every woman.
hate to correct you, but not ALL. Too broad of a reference.
I am 70 so obviously over that....Early in my case. Hysterectomy at age 42 and "all that crap" came quick and over quickly thankfully.
I had no idea this was an issue. Really??? OMG, sorry. Good Luck
More funding for education and research might help with this very problem. Normal does not always mean comfortable, and ignoring symptoms can lead to delayed treatment for something else. Our bodies display symptoms to get our attention. The half you say don't get symptoms still hopefully get regular check-ups, as many female cancers are quiet until advanced.
Here we go. The naysayers are already chiming in. And by a woman, no less. So what if 50% of women have no symptoms. Just make all options available. Is that so hard?
you have misinterpreted my intention-of course all options should be available; throughout my years of menopause, although I had read huge books and tons of articles, and went to the dr as scheduled throughout(with no issues to be treated medically) I was impressed with the FEAR that women were fed for years. I wonder if this cultural attitude affects the psychological component of the experience. All I am suggesting, through my life experience, that menopause is presented as this horrible series of events which means the end of sexual activity and or meaningful life. Some of this is on us, as individual women-it's not all political griping about what isn't. You are not helpless.
Interesting take. Do you have a source for your comment?
ncbi.nim.nih.gov/books/NBK285446
Ahhh. Of course. "Site can't be reached." So much for women being allowed to do their own research, validate sources, and be proactive about their healthcare.
I just googled for the info. There was no problem in finding the site.
orig post:
http://ncbi.nim.nih.gov/books/NBK285446
full link maybe:
https://ncbi.nim.nih.gov/books/NBK285446 or
https:ncbi.nim.nih.gov/books/NBK285446
https
-the s means secured. Lessons Learned
signed, an old fart
You moron. If you are over 35 you are goin’ through it. The fact that you wrote what you did pretty much proves you are in menopause. Welcome.
not sure why it was necessary to call me a moron, but I'm 72 and went through it with no symptoms years ago, as did others I know. I didn't say only 50 % go through it, just that some women don't need all the medical hovering which takes place. If you need help, get it, but don't frighten all women with scary personal stories, which seem to be the only experiences referenced here, Marie
I don't get the "no symptoms." A symptom of menopause is cessation of menses. Unavoidable. What goes along with that is some vaginal dryness -- not necessarily painful or bothersome except for sex, and maybe hot flashes. All extremely common. Do you mean no annoying symptoms?
Those hot flashes are enough! I used to look around for a window to open. I started (or stopped) at 55.
my periods became less frequent and shorter over years. It stopped for good at 54, but I didn't consider the change in periods a "symptom"-just part of the process. never had a hot flash, and have never had a problem with vaginal dryness-I believe it just takes longer to be "ready." It's only painful if you are not sufficiently lubricated. Instead of being ready quickly, your partner and you need to not expect things to go as fast; but I still respond as always, it takes a little longer and neither of us take any medications for sex. Use it or lose it!
Let's keep this polite. Also, we are focusing on the politics of this and not personal experiences. Plus, 35 would be pretty young, on average, to be starting the hormonal progessions toward menopause.
I don't believe you have been assigned the Monitor position, keeping the thread as you foresee
"Let's keep this polite." Was a suggestion/hint/nudge. If Marsha said 'can we' or something would that have mad a difference?
'Don't believe' ? Oh wait, maybe you in the bit ch mode of MEAN O.
I'm 70 so I guess I shouldn't even be here. Cheers (!@#$%^) all.
I have had prescription coverage for vaginal estrogen for many years.
Below is a link to NAMS. Gynecologists who are certified by the North American menopause Society are up on the latest research and can prescribe treatments tailored to the individual. Standard care treats women all the same and we deserve evidence based treatments, not a one size fits all.
https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx?wpisrc=nl-checkup
It’s more than about time that women of ALL stages of their lives get quality healthcare for whatever stage of life they are in and for whatever medical/physical issues they are likely to face as they move through life’s phases. As a 71-year-old woman who experienced several healthcare system failures in my lifetime, I hope that future generations get better treatment.
I always thought making the fight just about abortion was a mistake and very divisive. You can't really convert anyone on either side at this point anyway. But to emphasize that we are opening the door to politicians controlling *any* private decisions is something everyone can get behind, even if they feel strongly about 1 particular issue. The list is long: Abortion but also Medicare, Medical, health insurance, Death with Dignity, home birth, free-choices while pregnant, birth control, choosing Hospice over treatment, hysterectomies, vasectomies, organ transplants, stem cells, cancer treatments that may cause sterility, limits on research, terminating care to Allow Natural Death (AND), and so on. It's not just the govt paying for it, but like abortion - making procedures or choices *illegal*. If you let politicians decide, control of any of our personal health issues is on the chopping block.
Menopause can begin as early as age 40 or as late as the late 50’s. Whatever the age of menopause the woman’s physiology changes and it absolutely matters how their bodies react to medications and treatments. Most women are not included in clinical trials and especially not menopausal women. Results of drug trials cannot be extrapolated to women because of the physiological differences between men and women. The author is absolutely correct in her statement here.
I had a complete natural menopause at age 37, which they now call "ovarian insufficiency." (In retrospect, it was a bit like hitting the lottery.) Hormones affect every aspect of your life, often in very subtle ways. Definitely deserves more study.
“We owe women centuries of research.” - Yes, we need massive amounts of research across the full spectrum of women’s healthcare, including menopause. Even many female doctors (who are trained primarily in male-dominated medical schools) don’t appreciate the numerous differences between a female body and a male body. Or the fact that pharmaceutical drugs go through clinical trials with almost zero female participants, and yet we’re expected to use those drugs in the same way as a male. It’s as if we’re invisible.
I had an ectopic pregnancy in 1979. Prior to Roe v Wade women were left to bleedout. In 1980 giving birth to my 1st child, I ruptured and all but bledout. I spent 15 hours in recovery. Women are dying now because doctors and hospitals are too intimidated to save their lives! I am terribly afraid for my granddaughter!
This should be understood to be a personal and public health situation, and not a political football. As with ALL healthcare decisions by and for women, it should be between the individual and their doctor. Narrow-minded religious zealots and meddlers need not apply.
I was delighted to hear that more research is going into menopause. We also need to fund more education and outreach (you know, when we get a real president and congress) to physicians. In my experience, far too many - even the female healthcare providers - know next to nothing about menopause and only discuss the topic if you bring it up. Women are 50% of the population and yet we know little about our unique biology.
Thank you, Jennifer. At 92 I am well beyond the menopausal period of our lives. But I think a lot of the complaints I'm hearing from other residents here are possibly the lack of concern for the lack of interest in, or treatments of women aged 40 to 65. So, bravo, and good luck. I sincerely doubt you'll get any meaningful legislation from this current misogynistic regime but I hope you have success in the future.
It gets worse. The way the insurance industry can kill a chronic disease they don’t want to fund is simply to label it a “women’s illness.”
Is the funding safe, though? Won't felon34 just (unconstitutionally) block it? And that will be that.
I mean, how else will we pay for the billionaires' tax breaks?
Bravo for this spotlight on a long-overlooked reality in most womens' lives! Thank you.
If you think a pregnant woman can rage, do not, I repeat, do not piss off a menopausal woman. Mind you the orange dick head’s hamburgerlar hat wife is likely menopausal. I’m sure she WASN’T whispering sweet nothings in his rancid ear at the inaugural dance. It was probably more like commenting on the mushroom shape of his body parts. What is it, 3 yrs and 350 days? I don’t know if I want to survive or disappear. Mercy!
Boy, are you right about healthcare vs menopause. At the time I was experiencing that era of my life, we lost our insurance coverage. In the process of hunting down new coverage, I applied to HU----. Once they had all the medical information in their hands, one of their salespeople called me and let me know there would be no coverage for menopausal care. They considered it to be a pre-existing condition! I shouted at the guy that every woman in the country has that condition at one point or another. I told him to forget it. He asked me what we were going to do for healthcare coverage to which I replied "What do YOU care??"
JD Vance stated that the main purpose of postmenopausal women (like me) is to help care for the grandchildren, citing his mother-in-law as a shining example. I never procreated (by choice) and therefore have no grandchildren to care for, so does that make my continued existence irrelevant to today’s society?
Read the book Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick.
Written by Maya Dusenbery