As August is Women’s month, we thought it fitting to write about womanhood, and what that means to be a woman in the year 2020.
A girl growing up, becoming a teenager, young adult, mature adult woman, then entering the later stages of life … This is a life lived, with decades of living through a plethora of hormonal changes, possible associated conditions and all the small things that have a huge impact.
There are things we wish our mothers would have told us sooner, because it was a taboo to speak about. Then there are things we wish our mothers did not tell us about so vividly, if only to spare us the graphic detail.
But, we as women, are born, and destined to go through all of the things that womanhood has to offer. Some of us have the privileges of getting more positives than negatives. Some are unfortunately experiencing more of the negative things. Basically, half our existence will be about whether or not we are fertile, how fertile we are and whether or not we wish to have that fertility at that moment.
One thing we should however have in common, is our support of one another, through “the good, the bad, and the ugly”. Another plus: it is 2020. We have a few decades of “modern medicine” under the belt and we are more equipped to handle everything than we were ever before.
Mopani Pharmacy is filled with women, this is something that affects all of us, and half our customers. So, we thought, we’d share with you, what to expect – this could be helpful to you, your daughter, sister or mother.
This is something unique to us, that we go through on a biological level, with so many insecurities, anxiety and other aspects that may be painful, or joyous.
When it starts, as a teen
We could argue that womanhood starts in the developmental phase of young children – but for the purposes of this article, we are going to start with when the big hormonal changes kick in: puberty.
When we reach puberty, so many things happen. You may or may not start menstruating, your body will start to develop, and your face might just decide to protest against you leaving the house. This will present as an acne covered skin.
This is one of the hardest phases of your life. You may develop faster or slower than your friends, have unexpected periods, or struggle to manage your skincare routine. Your hormones are everywhere during this time. Every fight with a friend will be devastating, and fights with your parents will seem like there is absolutely nothing that will salvage the relationship ever again – at least until everyone has calmed down and permission is needed to go to the movies.
Possible period problems and need for check ups
You are young, so getting medical check-ups on a regular basis may not be on the top of your priority list, when in fact, it should be. If anything goes wrong with your reproductive system, catching this early on can potentially save you from something serious later.
You may experience irregular periods at this time, but all and all that is not much to worry about. Your body is still developing and figuring out it’s rhythm – you just need to give it some time.
Remember, it is 2020! There is an app for that! Really, you can download an app, and log the day your period starts, and the day it finishes. After a few months, the app will have tracked your periods for long enough to give you a reasonable guestimate of when your next period is due.
Other issues however may need medical intervention.
Whether you have period issues, a face full of acne or a hormonal imbalance – in each of these cases, a doctor may prescribe you an oral contraceptive (The Pill).
Read more about Oral Contraceptives by clicking the link below this article.
Young woman – (aged 18 – 25)
By this time, you will probably know your body a bit better and know what to expect, in terms of when your menstruation cycle is due to start or what triggered your skin to break out. At this time you are most likely to be furthering your education or entering the workforce as a productive member of society. You may even experience your first serious relationship and start thinking about, “one day…”. This is an exciting time – where you are more independent and making some of the biggest decisions of your life.
It is also a time where motherhood becomes a real possibility, or at least, something you are thinking about. This does not mean that you are really planning on having children right away, but thinking about it. A routine check-up may reveal a condition that will make it harder to fall pregnant when you are ready – which can be stressful on its own.
PCOS and Endometriosis
Most women who suffer from Poly-cystic-ovary syndrome (PCOS) or Endometriosis, are diagnosed in young adulthood. Both of these conditions can severely impact a woman’s prospect of fertility.
Read more about PCOS and Endometriosis by clicking the link at the end of the article
Injectable contraceptives
If you may wish to delay the prospect of getting pregnant for a while anyway, or just looking to manage the side effects of menstruation, you may consider contraception.
Popping a pill every day can become a nuisance at some point. So, you start looking around again – and someone suggests a Depo Provera injection.
Read more about injectable contraceptives by clicking the link below this article
Old enough to be called “Tannie”, even if you dread it (aged 26– 39)
By this time, you might have some idea of where you are, fertility-wise. You may want more children, if you don’t have any already, or you might not. This is the age where we are responsible adults but we still long for when our worst problem was getting along with our mother during puberty. You will hear your mother’s voice, escape your mouth on more than one occasion too. This might give you pause, or just that moment where you stop and think – “oh my gosh, she was right.”
You won’t tell her about this moment. You dare not. Especially, if you have a child. “May your children be as naughty as you were, so you will know exactly what you put me through!” Yep. There it is.
Yet, she might be supportive of your career, because you might be able to have it all – whereas her life might have been different due to circumstance.
That voice in your ear though… “You should take better care of yourself, dear. Getting old is not easy.” She is right.
So, you go on to buy multivitamin chews for the children, and some supplements for yourself. A multivitamin like Centrum Active, to suit your busy lifestyle. Calcium and vitamin D for your bones, collagen and omega 3 for your skin and overall health.
“Yes Mom, I am using a moisturiser. Yes Mom, it has SPF 30 in it!”
It is called, Solal Face Cream SPF30, by the way.
Definitely a “Tannie” (aged 40 – 45)
At this point, your mother may be in one ear, and your children- should you have any – in the other.
You are applying sunscreen on your children like a second layer of skin, while worrying about the results on that mole you had zapped off last week. You get the results, it was benign. Thank goodness. You are relieved. Then you remember, your best friend is going through chemotherapy for breast cancer. No, you no longer feel relieved. You feel blessed. You add another layer of sunscreen, much to your son’s dismay.
It is time for the “birds and the bees talk” with your daughter. You are ready, you have read the books, and you have consulted many forums on the internet. You think it has gone down without a hitch but she avoids eye-contact for about a week. Eventually, everything is fine. We have sunscreen. And jerseys. Because of course, they need to dress warmer, when you get a chill. Oh dear. There is mom again!
Now, it may be time to up the ante. Supplements are not all that is needed anymore. So, you visit Mopani Pharmacy for a wellness screening. Blood pressure: check. Cholesterol: Check. Glucose: Uh oh.
We need to make some minor changes, but we are all right. Next up: mammogram.
The change is coming – Pre- to post Menopause (45+)
This is a scary point in your life for sure. The end of an era. You get nostalgic about your youth and you might feel the green-eyed-monster creep around when you see young girls living their best life. This might even be a point where you are talking to your own daughter about her impending fertility and the rest of her life to come – while yours is slowly drifting away, along with your ability to regulate your body temperature.
Menopause typically occurs in women late in their 40’s to early 50’s and is defined as having no menstrual period for one year. This is kind of a moot point once you’ve had your tubes tied or had a hysterectomy. Either way, the more prominent indicator will be the hot flushes and mood-swings.
It sounds awful really, and those of us who have not experienced it yet, cannot begin to imagine what this will mean for you.
But this can be a pivotal moment, accepting that everything that is young, will get older. That this is life. Your hair can turn grey, gracefully. The lines of laughter and sadness and life experience is etched in your face, even if we take our collagen supplements and use our wrinkle creams – the artwork that is you, will inevitably change, and you can be at peace with that.
Unfortunately, it does not matter how badly we want this to be, that Instagram motivational-quote-from-Meryl-Streep type of vibe, this part of life has some real challenges. We’ve seen our mothers, red in the face, hogging a fan in the middle of winter. A sudden wave of emotion overcome them at a special event. Getting angry at the any injustice presented on TV.
And then one day, Mother got her groove back. She makes jokes again, and life is good. Those topics that were taboo, are now discussed with enthusiasm – much to your own potential embarrassment.
She consulted a doctor, and he prescribed a treatment, along with a few supplements available at Mopani Pharmacy, and all was right as rain.
Remember that, when your own change is coming. It might be like your personal experience of five stages of grief, ending with acceptance, and embracing your silver years to come…
And then one day, explaining to your granddaughter (or any other young lady in your life) that her mother might be totally unfair right now, but that she is a woman, loved beyond measure, and not alone. Because that is what we as women do; we support each other through the good, the bad and the ugly.
Happy Women’s Month.
Xx
Mopani Pharmacy
What you need to know: Fertility issues and Contraception
We can deliver your toiletries, sanitary products and other Mopani online shopping, nationwide! More info: mopani.co.za | crossing@mopani.co.za | Tel: 013 755 5500 | WhatsApp: 066-192-1703
