In another life, on another blog, I was fondly known as “The Hot Flash Queen,” and it wasn’t because I looked good. It was because I am in menopause — something no one likes to talk about, much less go through. So, when BlogHer presented an opportunity to talk about a new, first-of-its-kind line of products from the Poise brand that can be bought over the counter to help with the effects of menopause, I was all over the challenge of having the Second Talk.
I’m not shy about being ‘void’ in the female baby-making region. It’s funny, because I look like a normal person on the outside, but on the inside I am totally empty. I have nothing. No uterus, cervix, ovaries or tubes. And although my doctor told me that I would be slammed into the wall of headaches, hot flashes and hormones, I didn’t believe her, because at the age of 41 I didn’t know what menopause really was.
It was no less than 3 hours after my insides were on the outside that the hot flashes started, and they have never stopped. Imagine, if you will, that you are an oven and someone turns you on full blast for about 50 seconds. That is what a hot flash feels like. You can’t cool off. You drip sweat between your breasts, under your arms, you smell terrible, and it is miserable. And, when you are in surgical menopause, you get hot flashes ALL. THE. TIME.
I live and die by hormone replacement therapy. I have been on many different kinds, but they all have side effects, and being on them at such a young age and taking the high doses that I need, it just isn’t that safe for me to stay on them long-term. Knowing that Poise has some new products coming out is a Godsend for me, and I can’t wait to try some of them.
For instance the Body Cooling Towelettes? I am going to buy them and throw them in my purse. How great to have them for those hot flashes on the go I often get. To pull out a cool and refreshing towelette to wipe on my wrists, chest, or neck and instantly feel cool and comfortable? Iím so in!
And I told you about not smelling so fresh <ahem>, well, Poise is coming out with a feminine body wash that is glycerin and paraben free and non-irritating and is supposed to help you feel clean and confident.
Here’s the thing, menopause is a part of the circle of life. I am having the first talk right now with my 11-year-old daughter and just went out and bought her first set of panty liners to carry around. Poise wants women who are in the second stage of life to rally around and pledge to have The 2nd Talk by World Menopause Day on October 18. By joining the conversation, women will gain more menopause knowledge, support, and solutions. Join the conversation at The2ndTalk.com; I know that I am going to join in.
I would love to know when do you feel most confident?
I am so happy to announce that Poise and BlogHer are also doing a giveaway! You can win a $250 Visa Gift Card! To be entered for a chance to win, answer the above questions and just follow the rules below!
Rules
No purchase necessary to enter or win.
Only unique Entries will be counted; duplicates will not be considered as an additional entry.
You may receive entries on this post by selecting from the following entry methods starting on July 26, 2012 at 9 a.m. PT and ending on August 24, 2012 at 5 p.m. PT:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion, including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: ì#sweepstakesentryî; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
d) To enter without posting comments, see official rules.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail and will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Void where prohibited.
Be sure to visit Poise’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
About Lee Brochstein
