I was one that went through this fairly easily. I'd say I was short changed in that I have no advice to offer others on how to deal with it. But I sure am grateful I did have an easy time.
I think there is comfort in the beauty of aging as you put it and I think you are very healthy to think in this way! Too much of society hangs on to youth at all costs making cartoons of themselves. A beautiful older woman is something Id rather see than one lifted to the sky and looking strange.
Happy trails!
Puberty was early for me - bra at 10, first period at 11 and finally menopause at 53 1/2 years old. I had been having symptoms since my late 30s (hot flashes) that would be there for 6 months and then simply disappear to return years later. It was weird.
I now have a decreased appetite, which is welcome as I gained weight when I quit smoking in 2006.
I'm having a major hot flash now. Whew.
I noticed the sleep problems are one of the biggest things. I started taking melatonin before bed, like others are discussing, it has been a lifesaver.
I'm in menopause now finally after a few years of having one period a year.
I started at about 43, 44 and was officially done soon after. I'm still probably ramping down on the estrogen, and still have two or three hot flashes a day (unless I let myself get overheated).
It's been at least eight years...
Just over a year since my last period so I'm officially on now, I guess. My main symptoms were horrific migraines that started about four years ago when Pluto crossed my IC. I've gradually got them under control now with acupuncture and diet.
I take Flax oil to balance the oestrogen levels - I've never been so balanced emotionally in my life now, I wish I'd discovered it earlier!
Once I got the physical symptoms under control and accepted that I just can't live the crazy way I used to any more I really started to enjoy the process. My sex drive has more or less switched off and it's so freeing. I feel like I have my life back at last, that I can make plans and get things done without constantly being derailed by the whole need-a-man issue.