As a woman of a "certain age" who has just survived "The Big M", I would like to know how, when, and why did the word menopause become such a negative, dirty, secret word. Menopause is usually only talked about in a negative light. It's almost perceived as a disease that can rob women of their very minds!

Granted, menopause and the period (no pun intended) leading up to that final chapter, known as perimenopause, is not a really fun, symptom-free holiday. And sometimes you do feel as though someone has stolen your mind and taken possession of your body and playing voodoo with it. Of course, every woman reacts differently but general symptoms include the following:

trouble focusing/concentrating, mood changes/mood swings, night sweats/hot flashes, insomnia, and of course the obvious; changes in periods. Leading up to a 12 month time frame without a monthly period which is technically considered menopause.

Yes, I can check off all the above and even add a few of my own to the general list. I gained weight in weird places, facial hair (well some-I'm not a gorilla), and even became very fearful and teary-eyed at most any occasion. During perimenopause I started a serious problem with insomnia that continues to this day. I haven't had a decent night's sleep in 3 years. Not good!

Technically during perimenopause your body is getting prepared to shut down your "baby-factory". Your body is making less and less hormones and your ovaries start to shut down making one unable to get pregnant. Even though I personally saw this part of menopause, along with the absence of a monthly period, something to look forward to, it still felt as if a large, solid, heavy door slamming shut! No more babies! Not even a thought of more babies! That decision has now been taken out of your control!

Basically menopause is a hormonal roller coaster ride just in reverse of puberty. Most women, these days, seek out their physician's help for prescription drugs to alleviate the symptoms. I did take the prescription Ativan during my perimenopause and menopause years. I had been taking it before so it just made sense to continue taking it. I only needed to increase it a couple ot times due to anxiety. I prefer to try and treat most anything from a natural perspective, but sometimes prescription drugs do have their place! I believe that it would help as a natural alternative to drugs, if we hosted women-to-women support groups to openly discuss "the Big M" in a

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