Go with the flow
“Do not resist the changes happening in your body!” She repeated.“Do not become frightened either. The body is familiar with the transformation. You have to trust!”, her voice reassured through the telephone line. “Try to rest. Now is not the right time to take on more and more work. You need to allow the process to run its course”, came her instruction, firm in her knowledge. After all, she had gone through menopause herself.
Now, in her early sixties, she can look back at the time when she did not know when to expect her next period, or how heavy it would be, to her present excellent state of health. From personal experience, she can say, “Just see it through! You won’t believe what is waiting for you! Such vitality and strength will come, just when you are old enough to really enjoy life. All the struggles of children and beginning relationships, together with paying the bond on the house, is way behind you! Now is your time to progress from being a womb to being a mind!” Her infectious laughter was ringing in my ears, long after we had said goodbye.
Help comes in many ways. Recently I was given a copy of a book written by Dr Vicki Hufnagel, MD, a gynaecologist/obstetrician who works in America, titled ‘No more Hysterectomies’. This book was written in 1989 with very relevant information for women wanting to know more about the pros and cons of hysterectomies. The author is of the opinion that the loss of the uterus has far-reaching negative effects on a woman, whether physical or emotional. She reminds the reader that as many as 90% of all hysterectomies done in America could have been avoided.
The loss of a uterus is not seen as being significant in the western medical world. Women are told that they are suffering monthly menstruation for no reason at all, and should feel relieved to be rid of a troublesome organ! Hysterectomies may be done for the wrong reasons, leaving the woman to experience the long-term side effects which Dr Hufnagel lists as: Bladder, kidney and urinary tract complications; loss of ovarian function, bowel complications such as irritable bowel syndrome and spastic colon; adhesions; general prolapse of intestines, bowels, bladder and vagina, (even 10 years after the operation), osteoporosis; arthritis; cardiovascular disease; emotional problems such as depression, resulting in insomnia.