Menopause Forum

[jsteele]

Some time back there was a lot of interest expressed for a forum focused on menopause. Initially this topic was supposed to be included in the Fifty and Over forum which later got combined with the Eldercare forum. I plan to create new forums tomorrow and I am wondering how to best handle this. If I set up a menopause forum, I am not sure the fifty and over part of the combined forum will be necessary. So, I am thinking of dropping the 50 and over part of the existing forum and leaving that dedicated to eldercare. But, if I do that, perhaps a menopause forum will be too narrow. So, how would you like a menopause forum to be named and what should be included in it?

[Anonymous]

I wish you could call it Swamp Witch Era without it upsetting people.
But maybe something along the lines of Perimenopause and Beyond. It can last such a long time before menopause.

The only thing I can think to be added is some sort of sticky to remind that it’s a fluid time that can be different for everyone and that any shaming or naysaying about other’s experiences because they don’t mirror your own should be avoided. (One can always hold on to hope)

[Anonymous]

Perimenopause starts in the 30's for some women. Women who go through hystorctamies go through menopause at that time. Honestly, there is not as hard an age limit on this as people thing. Maybe a forum more broadly tie to women's health concerns because they are discussed less frequently.

[Anonymous]

I agree with pp that the perimenopause inclusion is important.

[Anonymous]

This might be nitpicking but while I welcome health info about menopause (I am mid 50s and my hormones show I am not even in peri!) I do not consider myself to be part of the eldercare convo yet! Ah, the invisibility of the midlife woman....

[Anonymous]

Yes please. Needs to include perimenopause, menopause and post menopause. All 3 are separate and individuals and women need this education and attention. Please make it include all three as they are three distinct yet very related experiences. Thank you for suggesting this Jeff.

Simba.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes please. Needs to include perimenopause, menopause and post menopause. All 3 are separate and individuals and women need this education and attention. Please make it include all three as they are three distinct yet very related experiences. Thank you for suggesting this Jeff.

Simba.

Please don’t put post meno in the elder section.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:This might be nitpicking but while I welcome health info about menopause (I am mid 50s and my hormones show I am not even in peri!) I do not consider myself to be part of the eldercare convo yet! Ah, the invisibility of the midlife woman....

That's basically the point of this thread. Maybe I wasn't clear so let me try again:

1) We currently have Midlife Concerns and Eldercare forum. This was originally a "Fifties and Over" thread that was supposed to encompass midlife concerns such as menopause and taking care of aging parents. When the forum was suggested, both of these issues were listed as concerns of those 50 and over. But, soon after the forum was created, there were complaints and confusion which I attempted to address by changing the forum's name. But, the requests for a menopause specific forum still continue.

2) In order to address the request for a menopause forum, I am willing to create a new forum. I just need to know what to call it. I like the suggestions offered above. Also, my wife Maria had a suggestion which was good but which I have forgotten. I'll ask her to remind me.

3) If I create a menopause forum, whatever it ends up being called, I am wondering if we still need to include Midlife Concerns with Eldercare or whether that can be changed to just Eldercare?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This might be nitpicking but while I welcome health info about menopause (I am mid 50s and my hormones show I am not even in peri!) I do not consider myself to be part of the eldercare convo yet! Ah, the invisibility of the midlife woman....

Eldercare is about caring for your aging relatives, not your aging self. It should be distinct from any menopause forum.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:Some time back there was a lot of interest expressed for a forum focused on menopause. Initially this topic was supposed to be included in the Fifty and Over forum which later got combined with the Eldercare forum. I plan to create new forums tomorrow and I am wondering how to best handle this. If I set up a menopause forum, I am not sure the fifty and over part of the combined forum will be necessary. So, I am thinking of dropping the 50 and over part of the existing forum and leaving that dedicated to eldercare. But, if I do that, perhaps a menopause forum will be too narrow. So, how would you like a menopause forum to be named and what should be included in it?

Absolutely not 50 and older or elder! As others have said peri can start in the 30s especially for Black and brown women. I’m 62 and post menopausal and don’t want to be discussing this in the elder section. Keep the elder care and aging section separate please. Thanks.

And yes to for-warning against negativity and bashing in this section.

[Anonymous]

Perimenopause and Beyond, as one of the PPs recommended, would be a good title

[Anonymous]

Either this or Perimenopause and Menopause
In Health

[Anonymous]

Either this or Perimenopause and Menopause
In Health

[Anonymous]

Why not just separate it to 1. Midlife Concerns (which would include peri, meno etc) and 2. Eldercare

[Anonymous]

Are we losing any other "midlife" concerns? Just spitballing here. Annoying husbands can go into relationships. Annoying children can go into Adult Children. Retirement can go into money. I think we're good? Tight?