Monday, August 19, 2013

Pee Me A River


 It's no secret here that I have been pregnant 6 times.  And sometime during every one of those pregnancies, I would end up with a killer cold that left me with a hacking, never-ending cough.  And, what with all the pressure on my bladder, coughing meant peeing in my pants.  Every. Single. Time.

I hated that.

I remember trying to take a walk - hacking away like a TB patient, I would have to stop and lean on lamp posts, with my legs crossed, all in an effort to keep from wetting my pants.  I had to wear maxi-pads, just in case, which seemed terribly unfair, as one of the benefits of pregnancy is that you aren't menstruating and therefore shouldn't have to wear those things for 9 months.  But I comforted myself with the thought that, once I was done having babies, I would no longer have to wear any sort of ANYTHING in my underwear.  I could actually be a normal human being again.

That look on her face?  Leakage...
 But, um, 6 babies, people.  I emerged from the baby years with the realization that there would always be a little leakage when I coughed or sneezed.  It's called LBL (light bladder leakage) by the industry.  That's what I am now - a menopausal LBL sufferer.  Sexy!

So I took to wearing some typical light days pads every day.  Problem was, I had to worry about them.  Change them if I sneezed without crossing my legs.  Check them to make sure they weren't at capacity.  And I dreaded the day I might have to switch to the dreaded maxi pads again.

Happily, that won't happen.  I won't have to start wearing a maxi pad that isn't really designed for the job of preventing public embarrassment, because Poise (which, yes, is sponsoring this post, but I actually use their product, even when they DON'T send me a free sample) has pads specifically made to accommodate light bladder leakage...

Light bladder leakage is industry-speak for PEE, I believe.  I just wanted to lay that out there.

Where was I?  Oh, yes...menstrual pads, you see, don’t absorb as quickly, so you’re more likely to leak.   And believe me, nothing says not ready for prime time quite so loudly as pee running down your leg at the new job you've managed to procure after 20 years at home raising the kids. 

In addition, the Poise pads trap odor.  Because, really, as a 50-year-old woman, the last thing I need -- in addition to my sagging jawline and my tendency to say, "Is it hot in here or is it just me?" -- is to go around smelling like a bus station restroom.   I mean, it's bad enough that my advancing senility requires me to apply deodorant several times each morning because I can't remember if I've done it already - I don't need to be worrying about other odors, also.

Tell me that's not just me with the deodorant thing.  Please.

And, glory hallelujah - these pads are unscented.  There are no obnoxious migraine-inducing perfumes that only serve to mask smells, since these pads actually absorb the odor.  And they come in different thicknesses - let me just brag a little here by saying that I am still using the ultra light absorbency size.  That means I've got 4 more levels of absorbency I can use before I am forced to shop in the adult diaper aisle.  What can I say?  It gives me hope.

So, yeah, while I would totally prefer not to have to wear ANYTHING, I'm glad there is a pad specifically designed for this problem -- that is, designed to trap leakage and neutralize odor.  Now if Poise would only invent some sort of tampon-like device for the urethra, I might even be able to stop peeing in the pool, too.

Get workin' on that, fellas, will ya?


Now, if any of you are dealing with the same issue, I advise you to make the Clean & Fresh switch by getting a free sample or coupon for Poise pads and liners.  And here is where you can read more about these products, without having to listen to my ramblings about my menopausal senility and its impact on my personal hygiene habits.

In addition, I am authorized to give away a $100 Visa gift card to one lucky commenter.  Simply leave a comment telling all of us  telling all of us one post-childbearing/menopausal development that you did not expect.

Sweepstakes Question (prize is a $100 Visa gift card):   What physical change surprised you when your childbearing years were over?

No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winner will be selected via random drawing and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 8/13/13 – 9/12/13.

179 comments:

  1. Holy smoke, I could get $100 just for occasionally peeing in my pants? That right there is a menopausal surprise!

    It surprised me that I was so sad when my children went away to college.

    What physical changes surprised me? I thought that the menstrual cycle would quietly fade away, but in my case it arrived and stayed for months and required a doctor's attention to make it go away.

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  2. Yes, nothing screams golden years like the pee running down your leg. I, too, think that should be worth $ to have typed that "out loud". timberdawn

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  3. I am super lucky NOT to have the pee problem. The most distressing part of aging for me has been the hair situation--as in thinning eyebrows and thickening cheek hair. Jeez. Sally Hansen isn't going out of business anytime soon.

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  4. Oh, the peeing when you sneeze is so obnoxious. Glad to know about the Poise pads. Wish I didn't have to invest in them, but anytime I get sick enough to cough all day I have the same issue, so I will try them out!

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  5. I remember the horror I felt when I heard that a friend's elderly mother had to have her pelvic floor repaired. I still don't know what that means and hope I remain ignorant forever.

    As I creep into menopause I'm amazed that my eyebrows have thinned and yet the chin hairs keep growing.

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  6. You made me almost pee myself laughing while reading this post. HOnestly--"Not ready for prime time"--you rock for taking a sensitive subject and being upfront while having a lot of humor about it.

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  7. I am surprised that I am actually NOT done with it all at this point in my life. Sure, I've got the hot flashes, sleepless nights, thinning hair (on my head - the rest of me is positively furry) but I still also have very regular cycles. No need for Poise products (yet), but $100 would be nice anyway.

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  8. Myssie1963August 20, 2013

    Did you know that you can also lose the ability to hold in pee when there is no gravity, such as when jumping on a trampoline? Sadly, I found that out a few years ago at a company picnic. I think that humiliation deserves to win the $100, don't you?

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  9. Once when I was walking my dog, one second I felt like I *might* need to pee, next thing I knew I just peed. Peed down my legs and into my Keen sandals. I will never forget that "squish squish squish" noise. Thank God it was dark out, and that I had black pants on.

    Physical change that surprised me? The fact that somehow I ended up with a saggy old man butt ON MY STOMACH. Front butt. That was the biggest surprise. 3 c-sections may be to blame.

    Funny post, lady.

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  10. Ooops and here's the URL to my tweet about this:

    https://twitter.com/happy_haus/status/369946934196203520

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  11. Thinning hair has been an unwelcome surprise.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  12. tweet:

    https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/369975616990244864

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  13. You are not alone in the deodorant department ---- I thought I was the only one that did that.... I feel so good! I absolutely love your blog..glad you're back from vacay!
    Susan - Williamsburg, VA

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  14. I had a leakage for a few months after my child was born, but then it got back to normal

    elena150980@yahoo.com

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  15. https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/369983159472893952

    elena150980@yahoo.com

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  16. Well, the crossing my legs every time I laugh was certainly an unexpected change for me. But, I was also suprised that no matter how much weight I lost, even if I weighed less than pre-pregnancy, I was never going to fit into skinny jeans again. Those babies change your entire body shape.

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  17. Don't have the peeing problem, thankfully, but I did spend a fair amount of time in front of a door, key in hand, trying to get in, yesterday. "Darn, why isn't this key working?" I stepped back, thought about it a bit, and tried again. No luck. As I headed down the hall to the main office, I realized nothing looked like I expected. I was on the wrong floor of the building!
    Yup. That's menopause for you!

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  18. My post-pregnancy surprise was episiotomy pain - years, I tell you. The peeing on myself was already part of my genetic history, sigh! Thanks for your candid and thoughtful post on the mattier.

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  19. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  20. tweet
    https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/370223605683986434

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  21. I'm so glad to learn there is a 5-step program prior to adult diapers, because I've been horrified (and yes, surprised) to learn that there is no longer any warning between I might need to find a toilet in the next 15 minutes and Too Late! I thought that was just a temporary thing after the 4th baby (9lb8oz, big head) but that "symptom" has arrived with a vengeance now that he is a teenager. And yes, there is nothing like talking with people in the office and suddenly needing to be elsewhere...

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  22. Truly age and indignity come to us all. I can be fine and then suddenly need to find a toilet IMMEDIATELY. It didn't used to be like this. Also, I was hoping my weepiness at sentimental commercials and movies that I despise while getting teary--seriously I can see the manipulation but my body responds anyway--would go away once children were born, but sadly it never has.

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  23. I keep cottonelle wipes in the car. You can use them for wiping down anything. Your kid, your face and other such regions.
    onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com

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  24. This made me laugh. In solidarity ;-)

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  25. I think the LBL was the biggest surprise to me. Even though my mom had mentioned (er...complained about) it several times.
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

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  26. tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/371072876918484992
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

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  27. After only 4 babies it has happened to me. Especially during a powerful sneeze. The running joke in the house is I can't stop sneezing until I pee a little. I had some concerns that there might be some overlap of time where both my youngest and I would both be wearing diapers! Like Karen I'm excited (but not so exited I tinkle :) ) to learn there are several stages before adult diapers!

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  28. I totally get the re-applying deodorant thing because you can't remember if you already did it or not - I do that all. the. time. My surprising menopausal symptom is how blasted irritated I feel about EV-ery-thing. Yeah, I'm a peach to be around.

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  29. The physical change that was the biggest surprise to me was when I started menopause my period kept coming for a few months and then it would be gone for a few months. I guess I thought it would just stop. After about a year it did finally stop. That's the one thing about menopause I like.

    s2s2 at Comcast dot net

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  30. https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/371387277852672000

    s2s2 at Comcast dot net

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  31. One significant change to me is my body sweats more.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

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  32. -https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/371479818992242688

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  33. I'm undergoing this right now so I don't have any change to report yet. Sounds like a fun time though! ha!

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  34. I didn't expect to not be able to control my bladder anymore--coughing, laughing or even if I hold my pee too long--I end up peeing myself :/

    pittsy82@hotmail.com

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  35. tweeted https://twitter.com/pittsy82/status/372511808927444992

    pittsy82@hotmail.com

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  36. Cindy MerrillAugust 30, 2013

    Well, Ok, I admit it; I just started menopause: at age 51, and yes, I do have some tinkle leakage.
    writer61@yahoo.com

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  37. After having my daughter, I wasn't expecting to pee myself everytime I cough, sneeze, laugh....

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  38. https://twitter.com/MelissaTayl0r/status/373587963692609536

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  39. Being forgetful. I've always been organized and scheduled. But lately I find that I'm getting forgetful at times.
    Thanks so much.
    rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

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  40. Tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/373595059578363904
    Thanks so much.
    rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

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  41. how dry I was (that's as much as I can write about that) Had no idea!!!
    tvollowitz at aol dot com

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  42. Tweet: https://twitter.com/dlhaley17/status/373610113702977537

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  43. Its good to know i can will $100 to share my umexpected post child bearing experience. My ankles swelled up to twice the size and my shoes didnt fit cause my feet did too.my name is hannah willey and my email is yamaharider422@excite.com in case i win

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  44. I don't have any kids and I know menopause in comin great to read what I can look forward to.
    heather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com

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  45. A dropped bladder surprised me.

    rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

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  46. Horribly thinning hair is my nightmare.
    jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com

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  47. tweet - https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/373761438470266880
    jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com

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  48. Other than the pee thing (and that is by far the worst), I have also noticed a change in my skin tone. It is horrible. My skin no longer has the elasticity it once had. Ick.

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  49. I think the balance thing was what surprised me most about pregnancy. I remember having to rock to get out of deep chairs.

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  50. Tweet
    https://twitter.com/clc408/status/373784709517410304

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  51. having the embarrassing smears

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  52. Thanks for the hilarious post! Speaking post-menopausally, I can truly say that my current hobbies include reading, swimming, and chin-whisker plucking. In addition to dealing with a face furry enough to rival that of my cat, I find that the skin on my arms, legs, and neck is thinning and has lost its youthful "glow"—I can now clearly see my arm and leg veins, and I can make my neck cords pop out enough to scare the neighborhood kids off my lawn. Ahhhh—the golden years! Excuse me, I have to go peeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

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  53. Tweet: https://twitter.com/skkorman/status/373789110869045248

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

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  54. It has to be the pee problem and thinning of hair!
    mintstatesportswear(at)juno(dot)com

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  55. MY WIFE HAS THINNING HAIR AND METABOLISM SLOWED WAY DOWN
    gabbflabber at live.com

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  56. Saggy boobs. I breastfed for over three years between both of my girls and my boobs are paying for it. lol Thank you!
    crystalfaulkner2000 at yahoo dot com

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  57. I have huge boobs now. :o

    My grandmother, rest her soul, would tell me, "when you get pregnant, they get biggah." I miss her. (And she was right)

    tamarsweeps-at-gmail-dot-com

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  58. Technically, I haven't exited my childbearing years, (though I'm done bearing children) but just getting older has shocked me enough already! I developed diabetes, and that, alone, wrecks havoc on your body! SO many things break down! And, after reading these comments, it looks like I have a lot more to look forward too!! lol :)

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  59. I tweeted :) - https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/374407745950081024

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  60. i didn't expect my skin to get all crepey! scg00387 at yahoo dot com

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  61. https://twitter.com/scg00387/status/374538000383754241 scg00387 at yahoo dot com

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  62. I still can bare children although I am done! I now have droopy boobs and stretch marks! Come and gettum' boys, haha. My daughter is my world, so its okay!

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  63. How hard it would be to keep my metabolism going at a decent speed, is the most difficult.
    classy_mommie@yahoo.com

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  64. tweet: https://twitter.com/cancer_free_me/status/374592146780606465

    classy_mommie@yahoo.com

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  65. saggy belly skin :(
    stigay at Comcast.net

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  66. I hate the thinning of my hair. But at least I don't have to shave my legs as much!

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  67. https://twitter.com/smilekisses/status/375419193132212224
    dolniaks at consolidated dot net

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  68. I didn't expect my face to get so much dryer.
    And I was surprised that I has less and less body hair.
    Thank you.

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  69. Tweet
    https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/375423478163206144

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  70. There is leakage in one way and yet incredible dryness very nearby! (If you get my drift.)

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  71. When they said possible peeing mishaps I thought OK a trickle here and there. Nope full on loss of it all is so emberassing. colleenaw@hotmail.com

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  72. Night sweats!!

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

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  73. tweet--https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/375663880627703808

    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

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  74. I am now in the stages of menopause, and the hot flashes can be quite unbearable.

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  75. I have never had leakage thank goodness, and I am not in menopause. I do have a facial har patch thats annoying

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  76. After having my 2 kids, I found that is a lot harder to lose weight than it used to be. So I am 10-15 pounds heavier than I was pre-baby.
    kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

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  77. tweet
    https://twitter.com/kellydsaver/status/375814854746980352

    kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

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  78. My boobs are droopy thanks to childbearing and breastfeeding

    coupongator@hotmail.com

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  79. What physical change surprised me when my childbearing years were over? Well, I thought my body might have a chance to look like before I have kids...but nope...not a chance. I'm glad I don't look like I'm still pregnant and that's already a bonus! hahaha...

    Amy [at] utry [dot] it

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  80. tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/375861379409776641

    Amy [at] utry [dot] it

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  81. I did not expect to have night sweats.
    aleksnearing gmail com

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  82. I did not expect chin hairs lol
    smchester at gmail dot com

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  83. I can't stand that although I lost all my baby weight, my whole body (especially my stomach) are totally different. I can't wear the same clothes.

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  84. Washing my face and putting on scented lotions makes me feel fresh.

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  85. surprised by these 'skin tag' thingies that keep popping up all over, my mother says they're hereditary :(

    pryfamily5@gmail.com

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  86. i tweeted https://twitter.com/pryfamily5/status/376282000820158464

    pryfamily5@gmail.com

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  87. Horrible thinning hair, it looks like I'm a dude from the front sometimes. Nobody ever warned me about that!

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  88. I don't have to shave my legs as often. I also have developed skin tags on my neck.
    marcia.goss@gmail.com

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  89. https://twitter.com/mgoss123/status/376723383834009600
    marcia.goss@gmail.com

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  90. I was surprised at how quickly my menopausal symptoms would start to appear.

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  91. i am not at the age yet but i did notice recently that my ear use to be soft not it is much harder now

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  92. https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/376742499236061184

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  93. my hair became much coarser

    JEN GERSCH

    intime@myself.com

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  94. Wash my face and brush my teeth!
    Shiebs24[at]gmail[dot]com

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  95. I totally relate to this entire post. After 2, 10 pound babies, that have destroyed me ( I kid ). I cannot hold my pee to save my life, my belly skin sags and I still have some varicose veins as a reminder. :)

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  96. Night sweats, neck aches, forgetfulness, and belly tire after 4 kiddos!

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  97. I was naive enough to believe that my stomach would be flat immediately after my baby was born! I never had bladder issues... but I am stuck with empty boobies, stretched out stomach and vericose veins!
    onecheaplady@yahoo.com

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  98. I didn't think I would be losing my hair.
    MCantu1019 at aol dot com

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  99. After childbirth I definitely noticed I sweat more.
    Brittney House BBrittBrat1398@yahoo.com

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  100. I am hoping and praying my childbearing days arent yet over, but after I had my son a couple of years ago I was shocked that it really did take a very long time for my insides to feel like they settled back into their proper place.

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  101. The sprouting of chin hairs was totally unexpected!


    braaisjo at gmail dot com

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  102. https://twitter.com/tlcfromtn/status/377622565885587457

    braaisjo at gmail dot com

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  103. My thinning hair was a big surprise. I always had really thick hair and then gradually there was overall thinning and noticeable thinning at the temples.

    sylvieanddudes@yahoo.com

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  104. I really didn't expect leakage... thanks kmassman gmail

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  105. I didn't expect to not be able to control my bladder anymore for a few days after the birth of my last child

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  106. Thinning hair, facial skin balance changes (breaking out unexpectedly), more stray hairs on the face, and lower energy levels. Miki.baxter@hotmail.com

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  107. I wish I had the perky bubble butt I hated for all those years.

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  108. The late hours - my oldest was up all the time with bronchitis

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  109. I go to a cardio kickboxing class a few times a week. Our warm up is intense....I have had three kids and my bladder doesn't approve....what a horrible feeling when your feel as though when you jump you could pee all over yourself...uuurrrgghhh!!!!
    ky_grandma40@yahoo.com

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  110. I have not yet gone thru menopause, but, at 40, I am already seeing changes that suck. LOL The biggest one is my digestive system. I NEVER used to have issues with constipation, but suddenly it is an issue and a painful one if I am not careful what I eat! My mom, who is turning 70 this year, told me that change hit her hard too.
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

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  111. I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/377792165578944512
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

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  112. at 48 I did not see these night sweats that wake me up in the middle of the night it is awful :(

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  113. https://twitter.com/klp1965/status/377805300977266688

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  114. Hemorroids were the unwelcome surprise after my first pregnancy and they got worse with each other three...still with me today!

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  115. I tweeted your sweepstakes @sufferngal

    https://twitter.com/sufferngal/status/377809227009363968

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  116. Not only has the lbl set in but after exercise the sudden urge to pee can have disastrous results. I took my granddaughter to play tennis and when I couldn't get to the restroom fast enough I had a major leak event. She laughed hysterically while I was practically in tears, totally humiliated.

    willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

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  117. I was not prepared to deal with the sleep deprivation for the months following the birth of my daughter.

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  118. Peeing when I sneeze!

    andysavi.mom@gmail.com

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  119. I was not expecting to have to deals with leaking every time I laughed to hard or coughed!

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  120. I Tweeted; https://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/377890878389383168
    lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

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  121. I can still bear children, but I am done bearing children. I already have saggy boobs, have had the issue with peeing ever since I had my first child, and tons of stretch marks.

    brat52101 at yahoo dot com

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  122. I had light leakage after my child was born but everything is fine now.

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  123. boobs filling up with milk at the thought of a baby crying or any baby related anything. Stinging. I had 4 children and thankfully no peeing problem yet. skin elastisity is not what it used to be.

    wendym at cableone dot net

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  124. I didnt expect the bladder leakage. I am dealing with it for years now :( KairaWolfie@aol.com

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  125. I am just beginning menopause and having irregular periods and starting to see differences in my skin elasticity.

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  126. I never expected my boobs to feel like rocks a few days after I had my baby. I cried that they hurt so bad. Then they leaked like a river, every time she cried lol.

    winz135 at gmail.com

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  127. tweet

    https://twitter.com/itsjustme62613/status/378007102637109248

    winz135 at gmail.com

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  128. None of the changes really surprised me :)
    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dotcom

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  129. I am loving the temperature changes. I can go from freezing to ready to rip my clothes off in 2.5 seconds.
    furbywins@gmail.com

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  130. I was a bit surprised to have much less hair in my hairy places and more on my chinny, chin, chin.
    Thanks for the contest.

    slehan at juno dot com

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  131. https://twitter.com/slehan/status/378053384277745665

    slehan at juno dot com

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  132. muscle cramps, vericose veins, bladder leakage. It was all so much fun!!!

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  133. Tweet!

    https://twitter.com/kewa143/status/378093014674989056

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  134. I can't answer this because I'm a guy. I still want to be eligible for this drawing. Can I please?

    Tim Moss, yupbucket@hotmail.com

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  135. Hot flashes, excess facial hair, and yes, the leaking when I laugh, isn't menopause just grand!

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  136. Stretch marks and facial hair! :'(

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  137. Had the post baby problem ONE time. Was in the bathroom in the hospital and I sneezed. Pee'ed all over myself, the nurse just happened to walk in at that moment. I was so embarrassed. It was my first child and I had no idea...lol.

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  138. Have lots of places I no longer need to remove hair- like none grows at the bottom of my legs any more. :)
    discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com

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  139. Tweeted https://twitter.com/dddiva/status/378155846066110465
    discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com

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  140. Oh so many things!!! Which to choose.... Well, most things were expected and I have to agree with you on the one unexpected thing after giving birth to 4 children. That bladder doesn't hold up like it used to!!!

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  141. The one menopausal symptom I did not expect (neither my Mom or Grandma ever got it) was the night sweats. Let me tell you, stripping down naked, sitting in front of a wide open window in the middle of winter with a fan blowing directly on my hot bod, with SO yelling at me that he is freezing,not what I expected. The worst part, most nights, even all that did not help, I still ended up changing the sweat soaked sheets way too often.

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  142. Not being able to lose the weight


    pokergrl8 at gmail.com

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  143. https://twitter.com/aes529/status/378159135906205696

    pokergrl8 at gmail.com

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  144. I tweeted https://twitter.com/2BeFitBy50/status/378159351136940032

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  145. This would be a great gift for my moms birthday!

    baconmike93 at gmail dot come

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  146. i'm not old enough to yet have an answer to this question, though I'm sure someday I'll go through it!

    kolpin4680 at gmail dot com

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  147. tweeted
    https://twitter.com/kolpin4680/status/378184319929315330

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  148. For me I have has some leakage but more the thinning of my hair it is so fine now it is crazy.

    eaglesforjack @ gmail . com

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  149. https://twitter.com/eaglesforjack/status/378206932323946496

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  150. Menopause came early for me. The worse of it was during the winter when it was snowing and I had such bad hot flashes that I slept in the livingroom with the window open and my head as close to the window as possible just for relief! I'm glad those symptoms have calmed down.

    itssherryberry@gmail.com

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  151. What I SO did not expect when I hit menopause was not just the horrible heat flashes, but the ones that last forever and no more "perspiring"...now it's like "swetting like a pig", it's so embarrassing and the night sweats. One thing, I sure save money in the winter on heating. :)

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  152. Well I am a guy but I know my wife was upset because it was harder for her to lose weight after having kids.

    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

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  153. tweeted:https://twitter.com/greenhome1/status/378217855122042880 (greenhome1)

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  154. https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/378218780343545856

    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

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  155. I was surprised by the amount of sweat my body pours out when I am having a hot flash.
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

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  156. My metabolism changed and not able to eat like I did when I was younger and before children

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

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  157. tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/378238294842015744

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

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  158. Holy buckets! Reading this and some of the comments is making me dread menopause! I just turned 41 and just had my 4th child 6 months ago. I have noticed that my hair is falling out (post prgnancy issue?), more gray hair coming in and oh boy am I exhausted! sonyadmorris@gmail.com

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  159. https://twitter.com/catholicfanatic/status/378243689484529664
    tweeted sonyamorris@gmail.com

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  160. Those changes in life, adult acne with hormones post hysterectomy, funny post so loved it
    Kendra Gillilan

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  161. First I'd like to say is that I have never laughed this much in a long time and I am laughing because I know exactly how all of you feel. I can not cough, sneeze, laugh or clear my throat without peeing in my pants. Poise pads and I are the best of friends, other than that, I sweat like a pig and am as mean as a grizzly bear. These things make you feel like you have lost control of more than just your pee, it feels like you are losing your grasp on reality.

    vikki.billings@yahoo.com

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  162. Mine aren't over yet but as I age, I notice that I have to stick to a routine as far as when I eat, when I'm thirsty, etc..

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  163. I tweeted: https://twitter.com/VikkiBillings/status/378258078690324480

    (@VikkiBillings) vikki.billings@yahoo.com

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  164. The hot flashes! I can't stand waking up in the middle of the night dripping wet!

    amypugmire@live.com

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  165. tweet. amypugmire@live.com
    https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/378259707607003136

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  166. I did not expect so much back/side pain and leg pain to the point of not being able to lift my legs high enough to put on my pants. This is shortly after having number 7 so hopefully it'll get better!

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  167. I never expected to have accidents. It seems like even a small sneeze can bring on a trickle so I actually have to cross my legs when either I sneeze or even laugh a little too hard! It can be so embarrassing as I feel like I am a toddler who cannot control their bladder!
    Laurie Emerson
    lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com

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  168. tweet
    https://twitter.com/laurallee56/status/378290837710327808
    lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com

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  169. No peeing problem but forgetting things is happening

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  170. Well...ummmm...unfortunately, I didn't think that uhhhh hemorrhoids were going to be a fixture in my life. :(

    wowknk at gmail dot com

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  171. Tweet: https://twitter.com/kristinnw/status/378356873335820288

    wowknk at gmail dot com

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  172. I have been surprised by so many things. Post partum depression that has lasted years and years, inability to go to sleep or stay asleep, hot flashes (seriously, they are not flashes because they last much longer than a flash), a little LBL, thinning hair, and my straight as a board hair turning curly. Oh, and the gray hair...they invade the hair on my head, my eyebrows, eyelashes, and the private parts. How is a woman supposed to go through all of this gracefully?

    I love your post and appreciate your frankness.

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  173. https://twitter.com/pinklady705/status/378362036972818432

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  174. The biggest change I noticed was, with my last, my hips got wider and stayed that way!! Darn!!

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  175. https://twitter.com/aprilja/status/378377475119542273

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