It’s time for a change. But I’m not talking about a change in career or lifestyle. I’m talking about, THE CHANGE. Yes, it seems the Menopause Fairy has come for an extended visit. I went to my gynecologist just the other day, and when she came into the exam room, she sat down , looked me square in the eye, and lowered the boom. ” Adrienne, all signs point to perimenopause,” is what she told me. . In light of how erratic my menstrual period has been lately it makes sense. My cycle always arrived each month like clockwork, until recently. All of a sudden I started skipping a period here and there, having more than one a month,and most recently, missing two in a row. Perimenopause also explains why out of the blue I can become very warm and sweaty for no apparent reason. Lately I’ve been asking the question. ” Is it warm or is it me?” more often and people look at me like I’m crazy. Apparently it is me.

I’ve heard all the horror stories about perimenopause( and menopause),and they’re not pretty.There can be night sweats so bad that you have to get up in the middle of the night to change your clothes and your sheets. You can have hot flashes so intense, that your face turns bright red and you feel like you need to call the fire department to put you out. These are just a sampling of all the things that await women when they enter the Wonderful World of Menopause. And don’t forget the bloating, and forgetfulness( did I forget anything else?).

The Menopause Fairy’s visit can last for up to 10 years. So I might be saddled with an unwelcome house guest until I’m 56( unless I can evict her sooner). I guess I better stock up on chocolate and get myself a battery operated fan that I can stick in my purse. The next time I feel like a change, I think I’ll just color my hair!