Middle aged and menopausal women - are you sick of the stereotype?

Question

Hot flashes, getting old, wrinkles, not attractive, outgrown our usefullness? WRONG! How do you celebrate and honor your age and wisdom?

For those who don't mind telling, when you answer can you give your age?

Loving the answers.

Not just more sex - more time for good sex (with kids gone)!

Zen - Changing the kids bedrooms - that's celbrating your wisdom at it's best! Glad your hubby thinks reclaiming your rightful boobs was wise (I do too!) and that he is duly honoring them.

Letting adult birdies who have flown the nest fend for themselves? Priceless.

Everybody - Keep the great answers coming!

Answer 1

Lots of good sex!

31 years (started menopuse at 27/28)

Answer 2

I'm 49, no hot flashes, still hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, and sea kayaking, so if that's getting old, it's great! I inherited good skin, so few wrinkles, still attractive, and finishing my masters degree, just because I felt like it.

The last two years have been really fun, my energy levels are really high, and I'm glad my boyfriend's are too. I don't feel old, so haven't gotten into honoring my age, and I'm too much of a cynic to think I have a lot of wisdom, but I am definitely opinionated.

I'm around young people all the time, and am not jealous of young men or women. I admire how many are so tolerant compared to my generation. It's been a pleasure to get to know many of the young people I meet in their 20's and 30's, since they have the tolerance and empathy I've found lacking in some of my generation I've had to spend some of my working years around in the past.

Answer 3

I have no intention of telling my age because that sick little f*ck Happy Poopy takes notes on what people say and uses it against them. I'd tell you but he's always listening.

I honor where I am by laughing at those who do not honor me. Aging is a gift and it only happens to the lucky ones. Those who snidely perpetuate the stereotypes have a surprise coming, but I'll let them figure it out. Went through surgical menopause as a young woman, took HRT, never had a hot flash or moodiness. Never smoked or tanned and haven't wrinkled yet. Mr. Yaga thinks I'm beautiful, nobody else's opinion matters. WISH I could outgrow my usefulness, but there's too many things I want to do yet.

Those who rely on their youth and beauty to get through life will quickly learn that these fade and someone younger and better-looking is right behind them. Gravity affects everybody.

Answer 4

I'm 64. Hot flashes started at 41 and continue to this day. At least now they don't average 1 every 40 minutes around the clock, as they did for more than a year. Other than that, I love my acknowledged (by others) maturity, I feel stronger, sexier, more useful than ever in my life. As for wrinkles, only because I've lost weight, making my clothes and my skin outgrow me. I enjoy shocking young people, since they are always convinced they invented sex. And yes, men find me attractive, and younger men want to hear what I have to say. That's a new one for me, no men have ever cared what I had to say before. All of my kids are gone far away, but they're still hollering "Mama! Tell me what to do!" And I don't have to.

Answer 5

56. I have no clue what others are dealing with, my own life is overflowing & interesting. I am treated with a great deal of respect for my knowledge on many subjects. I hope even through Yahoo Answers to help others.
I am always thought to be younger than I am.. I don't quite "know" why as I do not color my hair(little old blue haired lady). I do modest skin care, use make up lightly, dress more for comfort than style. I do stay active & exercise regularly, walk my dog lots, she's an old gal too.
I think it is in part my attitude on life. I had no problem with menopause but had to deal with Thyroid problems which can act similar, Power Surging etc.

Answer 6

I guess I am lucky I don't think I've ever had a hot flash. I had a hysterectomy at 40 but kept my ovaries- but I don't know if they have continued to function some 15+ years later. Sex is GREAT when there is absolutely NO chance of pregnancy!!!! Things fire up and keep burning just as hot!

I am thinking about doing some body work! I have kept myself in shape, 118 pounds, but have some of those diseases of maturity osteoporosis (small frame and under 130 pounds all of my life) and disk disease. I will not be gray as long as they have hair color.

I had a couple of masters degrees BUT I and went back and got my PhD at 45. I had a lot of experience to use in my course work AND determination to get my dissertation done. I have a full career and years of experience.

Answer 7

I'm 48 and it doesn't bother me. I'm actually not wrinkled even though I do have some creases on my face and I have long since lost the dewy face that young people have. My hair is about half gray and I rather like it because it makes my hair look like it has highlights. A stereotype I would like to dispel is feeling sad that I will no longer have periods. I'm actually looking forward to when they end for good and I no longer have to worry about cramping, bloating, and messiness. Another myth I'd also like to get rid of is that we are jealous of younger women and the attention they get from men. It's not true. I also have two teenage daughters and I'm not trying to compete with them nor dress like they do. I don't want to dress like my grandmother but I also don't want to try to look like a teenager either.

Answer 8

I'm 48! Heck with celebrating wisdom! As soon as the kids moved out (they were the cause of my hot flashes!!) I turned their rooms into an office and game room! And just a month ago, I celebrated surviving motherhood by gettin' a pair of those saline boobs! I think it was "wise" and my husband "honors" them!

Answer 9

My mom (age 45) has been graying for a couple of years now, but she still gets her hair highlighted several times a year. I don't think she intends to age gracefully. (I don't mean that she's going to go Joan Rivers on us, but she won't be in a celebratory mood.)

Answer 10

I tend to value the opinions of people my own age more than that of kids. Middle-aged people have actually 'been there, done that' while the kids on here have little life experience and often no education. Why on earth would anything the kids have to say be of any interest? They just parrot idiotic cliches.