Nobody's Elbows Should Ever Sweat!

by Diane Cook
(Baltimore, OH)

A couple of years ago, at the young age of 42, I had to submit myself to a life altering surgery and have all of my "parts that distinguish me as a woman" removed. Initially, it was devastating.

No longer was I going to have the opportunity to compete in the Oldest Child Bearing Contest or continue to have conversations with my sisters as to who was hormonal because of being pre-menopause.

I felt empty inside... barren... useless... That was until I discovered the "power of hot flashes". I could now clear a 10'x10' area of people with a single surge of energy! It would begin with an intense feeling of heat, radiating from deep within, followed by moisture being pushed to the surface in parts of my body that I didn't know had sweat glands.

Who knew that your elbows and the back of your knees just needed a little help to produce copious amounts of fluids? After a few frantic calls to my OB-GYN, I was able to get my synthetic hormones regulated enough that the "power surges" were fewer and further between.

My fiancée complained about my frequent, early morning hot flashes all summer long but I know he will once again, change his tune when those cold nights of winter begin and he is climbing into a bed with cold sheets.

The synthetic hormones have helped immensely with the hot flashes, but much of the aging process seems to be increasing. I always wanted to have soft skin, but now it is not only soft but feels like my grandma's!

The "twins" have decided they have had enough "good posture" and have let gravity win the battle.

Enough is enough already! Is there any help out there?