I had a lovely sophisticated day of networking and lunch arranged yesterday. I chose my outfit carefully, applied the war paint and promised myself I would behave in front of the lovely PR folk and the celebrity they had invited to join us.
Now I don't know whether it was overexcitement about the event, the feeling of solidarity in a group of mothers or possible the very nice English sparkling wine I imbibed but once again I found myselfslightly completely oversharing.
Within minutes of arriving I had informed the very lovely celeb that I reckoned my pelvic floor was in worse shape than his, told the PR about my breast reduction in possibly too much detail and before long was regaling the table of younger mums about the importance of keeping that pelvic floor intact. I may have once again mentioned my now infamous prolapse.
Heading home on the train as the wine wore off I wondered if maybe I had overdone it, overshared and potentially ruined any further chance of invitations to posh blogger events.
But then the comments on my social media started trickling through from my lunch companions who luckily seemed to have found me vaguely amusing.
I hope they also found my chatter about my lady garden area informative because when I was their age no-one told me my love life could be severely curtailed by what was happening down below.
So now, stone cold sober I am urging any other women of a certain age who might have experienced unexpected and not altogether pleasant symptoms to share. Let's not let symptoms of menopause and ageing be like pregnancy, a big secret club with horror stories to be kept from those who have not passed through the club house doors.
Maybe fewer women would feel like failures if those who had terrible pregnancies, awful deliveries and a less than loving start with their babies shared the shit. And also shared the more positive outcomes that can ensue if we go public with our private life and seek help, advice or simple reassurance, even if that's just from friends and neighbours.
That goes for menopause too - I cannot tell you how many other women have admitted they too have vag issues, urinary incontinence and other issues which would not normally be discussed in public once I have brought the subject up.
When my insides first started seeking daylight I felt really alone, embarrassed and unsure what to do. I left it so long to seek help I was having panic attacks and not sleeping. I still frankly need to go back to my GP and demand further assistance but in the meantime I am going to be loud and proud about life post 40 in my experience.
It shouldn't be seen as offensive, it's just real life. I just hope my vaguely comedic anecdotes prove memorable enough for those who have endured them during meals/coffee mornings/schoolrun to recall them when they hit that stage of life and seek help.
I'm oversharing for the sake of you, sisters. Do me a favour and follow my lead.
Now I don't know whether it was overexcitement about the event, the feeling of solidarity in a group of mothers or possible the very nice English sparkling wine I imbibed but once again I found myself
Within minutes of arriving I had informed the very lovely celeb that I reckoned my pelvic floor was in worse shape than his, told the PR about my breast reduction in possibly too much detail and before long was regaling the table of younger mums about the importance of keeping that pelvic floor intact. I may have once again mentioned my now infamous prolapse.
Heading home on the train as the wine wore off I wondered if maybe I had overdone it, overshared and potentially ruined any further chance of invitations to posh blogger events.
But then the comments on my social media started trickling through from my lunch companions who luckily seemed to have found me vaguely amusing.
I hope they also found my chatter about my lady garden area informative because when I was their age no-one told me my love life could be severely curtailed by what was happening down below.
So now, stone cold sober I am urging any other women of a certain age who might have experienced unexpected and not altogether pleasant symptoms to share. Let's not let symptoms of menopause and ageing be like pregnancy, a big secret club with horror stories to be kept from those who have not passed through the club house doors.
Maybe fewer women would feel like failures if those who had terrible pregnancies, awful deliveries and a less than loving start with their babies shared the shit. And also shared the more positive outcomes that can ensue if we go public with our private life and seek help, advice or simple reassurance, even if that's just from friends and neighbours.
That goes for menopause too - I cannot tell you how many other women have admitted they too have vag issues, urinary incontinence and other issues which would not normally be discussed in public once I have brought the subject up.
When my insides first started seeking daylight I felt really alone, embarrassed and unsure what to do. I left it so long to seek help I was having panic attacks and not sleeping. I still frankly need to go back to my GP and demand further assistance but in the meantime I am going to be loud and proud about life post 40 in my experience.
It shouldn't be seen as offensive, it's just real life. I just hope my vaguely comedic anecdotes prove memorable enough for those who have endured them during meals/coffee mornings/schoolrun to recall them when they hit that stage of life and seek help.
I'm oversharing for the sake of you, sisters. Do me a favour and follow my lead.