If you’ve been experiencing unwanted symptoms as you progress into perimenopause, you’re in good company. Not even movie stars are immune to the changes brought about by falling estrogen levels.
At first, I thought there was something physically wrong with me,” says actor Cheryl Ladd, recounting her perimenopausal changes. “I thought that something terrible was happening.”
From 1977 to 1981, Ladd dazzled audiences as angel Kris Munroe on the classic TV series Charlie’s Angels. Her kick-butt character rocketed her to stardom, and men and women around the world idolized her. Since then, she’ s been hard at work, including the NBC series Las Vegas. But despite the fact she’s played strong characters on TV, Ladd says that at the beginning of menopause, she was clueless as to what was happening to her.
Seek Support Initially, Ladd didn’t connect her hot flashes and night sweats with menopause. “I don’t know if I was in denial but, because it all started when I was 47, I didn’t really go with the whole, ‘Maybe I am starting into menopause’ thing.
“I had really horrendous symptoms that began to affect my day-to-day life. My poor husband didn’t say a word to me, and I would just start crying! I’d sit on the edge of my bed and cry and cry and cry. Half my brain was going, ‘What are you crying about?’ and the other half was just weeping away. It was pretty scary.”
Most of the changes that occur during perimenopause are normal, if sometimes challenging, but it’s important to remember each woman’s experience will be different. More often than not, support from family and friends will help you cope with some of the changes. And this certainly helped Ladd. After tolerating her symptoms for several months, her partner encouraged her to seek help.
“Luckily, my husband said, ‘Honey, something’s really wrong. You’re not yourself. You should see a doctor,’’’ Ladd recalls. “He [my doctor] was very kind and walked me through all the changes that were happening to my body. He explained that I wasn’t losing my mind; it was just that my body was making hormonal adjustments. I hadn’t realized that all this was normal, and that your periods often go crazy.”
In fact, talking to her doctor was such a turning point in her life that Ladd decided to become a spokesperson for a menopause-related Web site and now en-courages women everywhere to visit their healthcare providers to talk through their menopause changes. “No two women are the same,” Ladd says. “It’s like in pregnancy. Some women go through pregnancy and never have back pain or morning sickness, and some have a tough time. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, which is why it’s important to get good medical information.”
Listen to Your BodyLadd believes one of the most important things to do when entering perimenopause is immerse yourself in the process. Become as well-informed as possible and pay close attention to your changing body. “We can be in denial all we want,” she says, “but facing it can really make it all go better.”
Ladd recalls telling her daughter about puberty and menstruation. “At the end of it, my daughter crinkled up her nose and said, ‘Oh, that’s OK, Mom. I’ve decided that I’m not going to do it. It sounds icky.’ After explaining the entire thing to her, I failed to mention that she didn’t have a choice!”
Like puberty, there’s no way to avoid menopause. But by viewing this physical adventure as a time to reassess your life and take control of your health, the process can not only be less stressful, but also can be an incredible opportunity.
Embrace the LiberationSo, after the initial upheaval, has menopause been a liberating experience for Ladd? “Oh, in many, many ways,” she confirms. “It’s very freeing, and there’s something settling about it. Now I can be a grandmother and not have to worry about ‘Am I ever going
to be a mother again? ’I feel like much more of a free spirit, and I’m really ready to embrace everything about this stage in my life.”
In fact, Ladd believes we have a unique possibility. “Several thousand years ago, women didn’t live much past menopause,” she says. “If they made it to 60 they were old women. We are now living 25 and 30 years past menopause—some of us 40 years past menopause—and we need to be good and healthy.”
The Way ForwardNow that she’s seen the last of her hot flashes, Ladd is ready to take on the world with her newfound freedom. Not only is she acting again, she’s discovered a passion and unexpected talent for golf. “You know how you felt when you were eight, nine and 10 years old, before puberty happened, and you were this free spirit without all the obligations of being a woman? I am like that young girl, only with some added wisdom. I have that same excitement about life—and a fun and adventurous spirit.”
And her advice to women entering the menopause transition? “Embrace it. Learn about it, and talk to your doctor,” she says. “We can really prepare ourselves and have vibrant lives well past menopause… I want to be on the golf course when I’m 89!”
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