How Menopausal Symptoms Sparked a National Movement Red Hot Mamas Founder Karen Giblin Shares Her Personal Journey

Until you experience it, menopause can seem like a scary brick wall or a hazy, far-off notion. For Karen Giblin, founder of the national menopause education network Red Hot Mamas, “the change” prompted her to connect, share and teach other women about menopausal symptoms. She talks about her journey and how together we can somehow make the process more bearable... Karen Giblin was 40 and a successful city politician in Ridgefield, Conn. when she was diagnosed with Von Willebrand’s disease, a disorder that caused abnormal uterine bleeding and pelvic pain. The only solution? An emergency hysterectomy, which launched Giblin into full-blown menopause. “The operation ended a lot of the abnormal uterine bleeding and put an end to pelvic pain,” she says. But the menopausal symptoms turned her world upside down. “I had the devilish duo – hot flashes and night sweats,” she says, which intensified her lack of sleep, one of the most common menopausal symptoms, and forgetfulness. “I was serving my third term as selectman for 21,000 people and I wasn’t even able to remember town ordinances,” she adds of her sleep-deprivation and memory loss. Then residents in her constituency began calling her, Giblin says. “At first, I thought they were calling to find out how my surgery went,” she recalls. “But they were calling for information about natural and surgical menopause. That’s when I knew I had to address women’s needs – as well as my own.” Giblin has accomplished much since starting RedHotMamas.org in 1991. She shares the answers she found in this exclusive Lifescript interview. It sounds as though it was difficult to find answers about menopausal symptoms once you’d entered the change. After surgery, I wasn’t armed with enough knowledge about treatment options to alleviate my menopausal symptoms. Menopause was really problematic. I felt lost in the Bermuda Triangle trying to find solutions. The typical 7-15 minutes you get in a[gynecologist’s] office doesn’t fully explore the needs of menopausal women. It really doesn’t provide enough information. How did you begin your research? I wanted women to get medically sound information, so I tapped into the resources of Danbury and Norwalk hospitals (in Connecticut). I called the program Red Hot Mamas because my daughter used to see me having these terrible hot flashes. She called me “red hot mama.” How did you first start the education program? I developed it through the district nursing association and started getting speakers, and – voila! – today Red Hot Mamas is the largest menopause education organization in the U.S. and Canada. We’ve worked in more than 200 hospitals and have care practices across the U.S. I had to leave politics because the programs got so large. You conducted a menopause survey in 2010. What were the results? There’s a lot of sleeplessness in Menopause City for perimenopause and menopausal women. Insomnia is one of the most significant menopausal symptoms. We did a survey of more than 927 women [in partnership with takebackyoursleep.com]. They ranged from 40-65 years of age. We found that menopausal women weren’t experiencing only sleep problems, but their lack of sleep negatively impacted their lives and those of their loved ones. They had intimacy issues with their husband or partner and their personal relationships were also affected. The findings were that insomnia really causes a lot of problems. What kinds of problems? For example, 76% of the 927 women surveyed said they were having daytime drowsiness. How does that affect mood? It causes irritability – 52% of women reported they became irritable. If you’re irritable and have a partner, sex and intimacy is put on the back burner. Thirty-four percent said it really affected intimacy with their spouse or partner. For women, their quality of life was moderately to highly affected because of insomnia. There was sleepiness, drowsiness during the day, irritability … they couldn’t even concentrate. Were doctors able to help? Another [surprising] key finding is that patients aren’t communicating sleep as a problem to their health-care practitioners. Communication is really important. [Doctors] can help with behavior modifications and treatment options. But women weren’t consulting their practitioners. Weren’t doctors asking about menopausal symptoms? Our survey also found that 92% had to bring up the subject of sleep with their health-care practitioners. The practitioners weren’t even addressing the issue. It’s an unrecognized and undertreated area when it comes to sleep. Menopause doesn’t just signify hot flashes or night sweats – it encompasses a lot of different areas and sleep is a big one. Women wake up and [can’t] fall asleep again. When they do fall back asleep, they jump around in bed like Mexican jumping beans. I always tell women that No. 1, they need to become informed, educated and ask the right questions. How can women help prepare themselves for a good night’s sleep? It’s important to keep the bedroom cool. Use light sheets and blankets and wear lighter clothes to bed. Keep feet out of the covers. Establish healthy habits during bedtime. I always have a soothing bedtime ritual – a good book, a comfortable pair of pajamas, clean bedding. For example, put on a relaxing CD. Don’t turn on the news and get stimulated before bed. It has to be soothing and you have to make sleep a priority. What about hormone therapy? That’s a personal decision like any medication. [You have] to communicate with your health-care practitioner and understand the risks and benefits of anything you take, whether non-hormonal products or hormone therapy. What did your survey reveal about vaginal atrophy? It’s pretty common. You might not even get a hot flash or a night sweat. You might only get the sleep and vaginal dryness issue. It’s not just our skin and face getting dry – other areas get dry too. It’s important women recognize that. Are there products that alleviate vaginal dryness? There are ways to abate the vaginal dryness issues. No. 1, don’t flat-line sex. You’ve heard the [phrase] “use it or lose it.” If you continue having sex during menopause, it actually creates lubrication. What’s the best way to deal with menopausal symptoms psychologically? I definitely had to have a sense of humor. Menopause isn’t bleak. It’s just another turning point in our lives. There are challenges and benefits. There are some funny aspects of it. One woman told me she has to write a Post-it note with her husband’s name on it to remember him. What are the benefits of menopause? You save money on tampons. You don’t have to make your husband put those embarrassing items in the cart. What recommendations do you have for women just beginning to experience menopausal symptoms? 1. Stay positive. I’m a very positive person and I have a sense of humor. Staying positive can really have an impact on your life. 2. Make time for yourself. A lot of us are dominated by stress. I think you have to take time, be mindful of each moment and eat right. 3. Exercise and social support is very important. I’ve learned that women really need each other. At this stage in our lives, friends are very important for sharing experience and wisdom. Social support is the key to health and living longer. 4. Become informed. It’s important to have resources available, become proactive and ask the right questions of your health-care provider. For more expert advice and information, visit our Menopause Health Center. Are You in Perimenopause? Do you suspect you might be in perimenopause, the period of time leading up to menopause? It can occur as early as your late 30s. But remember, you can still be years away from menopause even if you're experiencing the symptoms.