I’m really flabbergasted by the continuing developments in my journey towards sterility. I have started taking HRT at the advice of my doctor. We started with progesterone and then added a transdermal estrogen patch when I continued to feel hideous. So far so good I thought.

I have had some positive effects. I am not having hot flashes at this point at all. That is a victory and I don’t have to change my sheets quite as often. I think my hair is starting to be fuller again and not just on my chin. I am starting to find my waist but I think that is due to neurotic exercising and finally embracing weight training after many years.

One effect I did not expect was having a period. Or maybe we don’t call it that. I don’t know. I do know that last week while visiting with my daughter I found myself feeling sorry for her as she was suffering from bloating and cramps. Little did I know when I returned to France, I would soon find myself bleeding and cramping and feeling that shitty headache that can only be associated with hormones.

I didn’t know this could happen but after a quick google search I learned that estrogen can cause bleeding sometimes. After I ransacked the cottage to find feminine hygiene products, and took a healthy dose of ibuprofen, I again thought about conversations with my husband on the unfairness of the female experience. He believes correctly I think that were we not in such a patriarchal society, there would be far greater advances in women’s medicine and remedies for all the crap we go through.

Well this fun ride continues… I can’t wait to see what comes next.