Kathleen Connolly Alfiero, age 53
Co-founder, Lighthearted Productions, LLC
South Portland, Maine

Sally Petersen, age 61, retired
Spring Branch, Texas

Jim Comer, age 58
Humorist and Writer
President, Comer Communications
Austin, Texas

Shari Siegel, age 43
Office Manager, Siegel Chiropractic Clinic
New York City, New York

Dear professional woman,

Watch out, the MenoMonsters™ are coming! That’s right, premenopause, and the dreaded menopause, are about to begin. If you’re over 35, you’re probably looking for a good place to hide. But where do you find information on what to expect? I don’t mean clinical information about hormone replacement therapy. I’m talking about relief from the symptoms with helpful but fun information.

Each symptom might be associated with premenopause or menopause. The symptoms could start as early as your mid 30’s and go through your late 60’s.

If you struggle with menopause symptoms, you may have a tendency to take yourself and your circumstances too seriously. Do you find it difficult, if not impossible, to “lighten up”? Discovering the lighter side of life is absolutely essential.

Learn to take it easy, read a fun book, go to the movies, walk in the park, or maybe even just do nothing for an afternoon. Health requires a sense of balance. Life can be so intense.

One afternoon while visiting with a few friends over a cup of coffee, the topic turned to menopause symptoms. What was always considered a hush-hush topic and something you “only” discussed with a doctor, was now the source
of laughter. I found incredible comfort and relief as we each shared our common experiences. I discovered that I’m not the only one dealing with symptoms like insomnia and fatigue. I went away that afternoon a changed woman, inspired by the lightened mood around this life passage.

I looked for a book about the “Joy of Menopause” © but found instead that over 55 million women are currently experiencing the journey of this mid-life change. I decided then and there that I wanted to help bring laughter (and comfort) to an issue that is rarely discussed outside of a clinical environment.

You may not have a choice when it comes to menopause, but you do have a choice when it comes to attitude. I know it’s difficult to remain positive when you’re dealing with hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings. But now you can laugh at yourself and poke fun at these frustrating and sometimes unbearable symptoms. After all, laughter is the best form of medicine.

Adventures In Menopause is a fun-filled book about surviving menopause. I take a humorous approach to this biological mid-life change by describing symptoms with a poem and comical name. Instead of “night sweats”, I call this wet symptom “Naggy Night Sweats”©. Instead of “unexplained fatigue”, I call it “Frazzly Fatigue”©. Instead of “leaky bladder”, I call it “Urgent Uri”©. I’ve also added colorful cartoon illustrations to the poems, word search puzzles, and Woman-to-Woman hints. Even if you’re just approaching your mid 30’s or you’ve already survived the menopause perils, Adventures In Menopause is perfect entertainment for when you need a good laugh.

Adventures In Menopause includes:

• 25 Poems that make you smile, forget the discomfort of symptoms and reframe the way you look at menopause.
• 25 Word Search puzzles that will give you a break and pleasantly distract you from your MenoMonsters™.
• 25 Woman-To-Woman Phrases, only a woman can say to another woman, that will make you smile or even laugh-out-loud.

Cyndi Smasal, age 34
Jump-Start Coach & Inspirational Speaker
Wimberley, Texas