Conversations About Menopause

For those who have never experienced it, trust that brain fog is real! 🧠😶‍🌫️

Brain fog will cause a woman to think she has early signs of dementia or is just out of her mind. It can become psychological noise that f*cks with you at the most inopportune times causing unnecessary self-doubt, while also providing theatre for some. This can be frightening and have repercussive effects in the workplace, especially at a time when there is a high propensity to throw away women of a certain age... and let’s not factor in race.

So what is brain fog?
Menopause related cognitive changes are not just age-related, but are the fluctuating and eventual decline of ovarian hormone production. Hormones produced by the ovaries (estradiol and progesterone) are vital brain chemicals that are thought to protect the brain and enhance thinking and memory. Fluctuations in these hormones can result in forgetfulness, difficulty finding your words and other memory recall and processing functions; brain fog has been reported by over 60% of women on their journey.

What can you do?
So far, studies don’t show any clear benefits from taking HRT (hormone replacement therapy) but the good news is that exercise can help! YAY for exercise! Seriously, studies have shown that exercise improves cognition in middle aged people. The yay factor is that exercise will also help with achieving weight goals, help with sleep and reduce joint pain...all of which are other symptoms of menopause.

“In a tone that is lively and intimate but unflinchingly direct, Dr. Sharon Malone details how to live better, age better, and get better medical treatment, especially when it’s most needed. This is not a medical activism book designed to fight the power. This is a book designed to show women that they already have the power-they need only to increase their capacity and willingness to use it.”

Ladies! I’m looking forward to our discussion about women’s health, using this book as our guide. I hope to see you on the 19th! More details via the link in our bio.

I recently appeared as a guest on the ‘Not Yo Average Aunties Podcast’ to discuss menopause. Shoutout to Kira, Jo, and Janine for hosting me! During the podcast, I shared that there are over 40 symptoms related to peri/menopause. One particular symptom, Burning Mouth (Tongue) Syndrome (BMS), sparked a lot of interest and questions on their social media pages.

So, what is Burning Mouth Syndrome? It’s a condition characterized by pain and discomfort in the mouth, lips, and tongue, often described as tingling, scalding, numbness, or a burning sensation. Other symptoms may include dry mouth, a bitter or metallic taste, and loss of taste (unrelated to COVID).

BMS is associated with menopause because hormonal changes, specifically low estrogen levels, are one of the primary causes. It affects 18-33% of menopausal women. Like many menopausal symptoms, BMS will eventually go away. However, if your symptoms are severe, it’s important to contact your physician.

Morning Sis, we got you!

Rise, shine and do big things this week!! 💃🏾🤩

Happy Monday!

I'm not sure where you're located, but the temperatures in CT are already starting to change... 😞

If you're feeling like the temperature changes outside are more predictable than your internal body temperature, then this message is for you (and me)!!! Wear layers. It might seem obvious, but many of us still dress for the weather outside, and then when a flash hits, we're overwhelmed with the heat, our clothes are soaked and then we’re uncomfortable and embarrassed. Layering helps because we can take something off to help cool ourselves down until our body temperature regulates. And stay hydrated, too! It works.

Remember, it’s a power surge! 💃🏾

Happy Friday!

Enjoy your weekend and remember to stay hydrated and moisturized!! 💃🏾

🖤

Women’s health is critical to our wellbeing on so many levels. Join us as we delve into Dr. Sharon Malone’s recent release, Grown Woman Talk. Hosted at Kindred Thoughts Bookstore.

About the book:
“A must-read for anyone who cares about their quality of life . . . Dr. Sharon Malone is the first person I turn to for a whole host of issues, especially my health.”—MICHELLE OBAMA

A practical guide to aging and health for women who have felt ignored or marginalized by the medical profession, from a leading OB/GYN and expert on menopausal and post-reproductive health

There’s not enough talk around women’s health, and what little there is rarely helps. Women are routinely warned, lectured, or threatened about their health. Or they are ignored, dismissed, or shamed. But they are rarely empowered. And empowerment, more than anything, is what women—and women of color, in particular—need.

Grown Woman Talk is for every woman who has felt marginalized or overwhelmed by a healthcare system that has become more impersonal, complex, and difficult to navigate than ever. It’s also for any woman who is simply standing at the intersection of aging and health, anxious and wanting solutions.

Part medical handbook, part memoir, and part sister-girl cheerleader, this book is filled with useful resources and real-life stories of victory and defeat. It not only highlights the current data around women’s health issues, but it also places that data in a helpful context.

In a tone that is lively and intimate but unflinchingly direct, Dr. Sharon Malone details how to live better, age better, and get better medical treatment, especially when it’s most needed. This is not a medical activism book designed to fight the power. This is a book designed to show women that they already have the power—they need only to increase their capacity and willingness to use it.

Most important, Grown Woman Talk seeks to eradicate the silence that surrounds women’s health by facilitating discussion between women of all ages and encouraging more accurate and productive medical insights. It is Dr. Sharon’s belief that giving women more agency can, literally, give them life.

I am so excited to announce our partnership with Kindred Thoughts Bookstore to host our in person events! For full disclosure, I am co-owner but this is not a free service since CAM is separate so we will rent the space, hence the registration fee (snacks and beverages will be provided).

Ladies, join in the discussion to demystify menopause. As noted, we’ll learn the language, timelines, symptoms and a few strategies you can employ to help with talking to your doctor, help minimize anxiety and hot flashes.

As a menopause doula, my role is to help you continue to live your best healthy lives. Let’s build a community centered around women’s health!

Register via one of the links in our bio.

Admittedly, I’m not as active on my personal IG page as I used to be. There was a time where I would make a daily “A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY” post. I posted every day for 365 straight, regardless of where I was in the world. I would also share posts about how the “struggle is real” while I low-key bragged on all that I was doing back in the day. Corporate gurl, feeding the least and lost through my non-profit and being out and about in the community with my HIV work, all while enjoying my best life which for me meant traveling. Yes, the struggle was real to keep up with a busy schedule that said I was out in the them streets making it happen!

Now, fast forward a few years, my menopause years, and the phrase “The Struggle is Real” takes on a whole new meaning. As menopause is now a “trending topic” some social posts would have you believe that there is a magic bullet to feeling energetic and let’s not talk about those vaginal ads..., but the truth of the matter is that there is no magic bullet. For some of us it is a daily struggle to feel energized at best, and feel good at worse. Yes, the struggle is real! But for real, you will make it Sis. Push through. Know and avoid your triggers (like caffeine, smoking and wine) and keep your crown on tight - you got this!

Happy Give Yourself Some Grace Day! 🩷

Hey Sis!

Welcome to Conversations About Menopause! Your source for culturally relevant information pertaining to menopause and women’s health.

I’m Karin (with an I!), Menopause Doula! Allow me to introduce myself!

Like many of you, I’m a multi-hyphenate. I’m a mom, grandma, corporate gurl, bookstore owner, an HIV health educator and now menopause doula.

For the past 15 years I’ve dedicated my spare time to educating the people in my community about HIV and its impact in the Black community; most recently, I’ve worked directly with Black women who are living with HIV teaching various life skills. During the pandemic, I launched an online book club which eventually led to opening a brick and mortar bookstore, Kindred Thoughts, with my cousin-in-law and now business partner.

I love to travel and of course, read books!