Menopause is a stage of life that every woman experiences and it can be challenging. Hot flashes, mood swings and insomnia are just some of the symptoms that come along with perimenopause but sometimes the most unexpected complaints are the funniest ones.
While it’s true that it can come with some uncomfortable symptoms, it doesn’t have to be all bad. There are plenty of ways to make the best of this time in your life and one of them is by taking a light-hearted look at the most common complaints about menopause. It’s no secret that it can bring about a lot of challenges and frustrations. But instead of crying into your pillow, why not try laughing it off?
Here are some of the funny complaints I’ve heard from women going through “the change.” (Yes, that was me saying it tongue in cheek – ha ha).
“My brain’s gone on vacation.” This one comes from women who feel like their brains have gone into sleep mode for an extended period of time. It’s like they’re in a fog and have trouble focusing or remembering anything.
“My teeth hurt!” Yes, you read that right – teeth pain is an actual symptom of menopause. Fluctuating hormones can cause teeth to become sensitive to cold and hot temperatures which leads to sudden toothaches.
“I miss my eyebrows!” Hair loss is a common side effect of changing hormone levels during perimenopause and many women find themselves with fewer eyebrow hairs than they used to have.
“I’m suddenly homesick for my 30s.” Women in their 50s often feel nostalgic for their younger years when everything seemed easier and more straightforward. They miss being able to do things without worrying about how it might affect them in the future.
A woman described her experience with hot flashes as feeling like she was “being microwaved from the inside out.” Another woman said she felt like her body was trying to turn itself into soup. It may not be funny when you’re living through it but there is something inherently humorous about these sudden, unexpected waves of heat. One woman even joked that she was considering bringing an ice pack to her next doctor’s appointment.
“It’s like I’m living in a foreign country.” Women often complain about feeling out-of-touch with their own lives as if they’ve been transported to another place entirely. It’s like they don’t recognise their own bodies anymore due to all the changes taking place.
“My feet are too big!” Swelling in the ankles and feet is another side effect of menopause, leading some women to jokingly complain about having feet that seem too large for their shoes.
“I’m suddenly allergic to everything!” As women transition into menopause, they often report increased sensitivity to things like pollen or pets which can lead to sneezing fits or other allergy symptoms.
A lady described her experience with mood swings as feeling like she was constantly “riding an emotional rollercoaster.” Another woman said she felt like her emotions were being controlled by an invisible puppet master. It’s hard not to chuckle at these descriptions – even if you’re living through them.
I’ve heard weight gain described as feeling like she was gaining weight in places she didn’t even know existed! Another woman said that the weight seemed to be finding its own way around her body – no matter how hard she tried to stay active and watch what she ate. Though this isn’t a laughing matter per se, there is something funny about how our bodies seem determined to find creative new ways to pile on the pounds during this time in our lives.
Menopause may not always be fun (or funny!) but these hilarious complaints make you realise that you aren’t alone on this journey through perimenopausal life. If you’re experiencing any of the above issues during your transition into menopause, rest assured that you’re not alone and don’t forget to have a good laugh over your newfound allergies or vacationing brain. After all, humour can be a great coping tool when dealing with tough situations such as menopause, so take heart and keep laughing.
It really doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. By sharing stories and having a laugh over some of the more awkward symptoms we experience during this stage in our lives, we can make it just a bit more bearable.
Menopause can be a rollercoaster ride of emotions and physical changes but that doesn’t mean you have to take it lying down Try to take a lighthearted approach when dealing with these changes by sharing funny stories with friends or cracking jokes at your own expense. After all, laughter is the best medicine, especially during menopause.
