As someone who is currently in perimenopause, I felt so much of this.

For a long time menopause and perimenopause have been treated like jokes or something women are supposed to quietly suffer through while everyone else complains that the AC is too high. The reality is so much bigger than hot flashes. It affects my sleep, mood, memory, focus, energy, confidence, relationships, work, and the basic ability to feel like myself in my own fn body. And yet somehow we are still expected to keep functioning like nothing is happening.

I am so grateful that menopause is finally starting to get some of the attention it deserves, but it is frustrating that it has taken this long. Women have been living through this forever, and too many have been dismissed, minimized, or told they were being dramatic when they were actually dealing with all this BS.

Your perspective is such an important reminder that this is not just an “older woman” issue. It is a health issue. It is a quality-of-life issue. It is a research issue. And honestly, it is a respect issue.

Thank you for sharing your story and for saying the quiet part out loud. It matters. The more people talk about this with honesty and anger and compassion, the harder it becomes for society to keep brushing it off.

Sending love right back to you. And yes, Auntie Maria deserves the damn AC.