It’s no great revelation that menopause is no fun for any woman. Your body is experiencing fluctuating hormones that can cause so many changes like those wonderful hot flashes that leave you soaked in sweat. You might suffer from insomnia, itchy skin, migraine headaches, the inability to concentrate-foggy brain. Then there is breast tenderness, low libido, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, and what I hear the most complaining about is the midlife weight gain as well as the mood swings where you can go from a raging lunatic to a puddle of tears all within a minute. 

According to Louann Brizendine, author of The Female Brain, she says this. "The mommy brain unplugs. Menopause means the end of the hormones that have boosted communication circuits, emotion circuits, the drive to tend and care, and the urge to avoid conflict at all costs." 

Talk about a severe marriage stressor! You have one here. But by taking some intentional action during this time, you and your husband can move through this.  

Don't try to go this alone. 

This is a difficult time and trying to manage it alone is overwhelming. I know I tend to try to appear superhuman-I've got this. I’m tough. I can handle it. I don't need anyone's help. This self-sufficiency is our ego. Going it alone is not how we humans are made. We need each other. 

We are usually pretty good about being transparent with our friends, but many of us fail to talk openly and honestly about what we are going through with our husbands. We have these messages in our heads like, he's a man. He won't understand. Or, he will just use it against me. No, he may not understand like another woman who is going through it can, but you can help him understand what is going on so he has a better idea and can be supportive. And if you are afraid he will use it against you, tell him that you have that fear and ask him to be sensitive to your struggle. 

I'll be honest. Talking to my husband about what I was going through was humbling. I felt a bit embarrassed. I shared all the changes I was going through and how I was feeling about it. I was specific and detailed. 

You know, Intimacy is about sharing openly and honestly with your husband. Don't expect your husband to get you when you don't share yourself fully. You must communicate about everything-the good, the bad, and the ugly.  

Don't let your irritability and anger damage your relationship.

For complete show notes to this episode visit http://reviveyourmidlifemarriage.com/34