I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar!

Not long after I gave birth to Peanut, I found myself frustrated that I was so unprepared for just how hard motherhood was.  Now that 4 1/2 years have passed, I realize this sounds so naive.  But I was genuinely appalled that in the midst of conversations about soft pink blankets, birthing plans, breast feeding, and nipple cream no one mentioned crazy hormones that make you think you have lost your mind, sleep deprivation that impairs so many, many things, and just a general sense of madness that I might/would feel. Not friends, family, or doctors. Not even the numerous books I read.  I guess they assumed I knew it already, or they had already forgotten what it was like, right along with the horrific birthing pain.
About  a year and a half ago, I has a miscarriage... another topic no one discusses. We were devastated. I had dear friends that I had known forever share their same experience with me, after the fact. I had no idea. I get it.  It is a touchy, very personal and painful subject. I got the sense, though, that there was an air of shame surrounding such a loss, from so many. I continued to ask myself, "Why doesn't anyone talk about it?"
Well, here I am again.  Only now I am showing signs of perimenopause.  My hormones have been absolutely ridiculous and have lead to irrational thinking, self-loathing, fatigue and a fluctuating libido.  It feels a bit like post-pregnant life.  But it has taken me by surprise.  You see I am 39 years old, but I still feel 28.  And I was still trying to get pregnant. I am less appalled because I am on the younger end of these symptoms and many of my friends may not yet be there at all.  I also come from a very conservative, discreet family that doesn't talk about such subjects often.  But I have been in many female dressing rooms and not heard much on the subject, except maybe an occasional hot flash complaint. I have made a Dr.'s appointment to check things out and get more info.  To me, knowledge is most definitely power when it comes to my health.
The challenge is to get us talking now. (Cue Helen Reddy music) We are a sisterhood.  We are also a family of brothers and sisters who will inevitably have some woman in our lives going through any one of these feminine phases sooner or later.  I want to take away any shame and encourage frank discussions about being a woman, and understanding the women in our lives, especially ourselves.