Menopause The Musical—Menopause the What?
by Jack Hayford
I was hanging with my buds, watching football, at a sports bar in Winter Park, Florida. At some point as the game became a blow-out, I found myself engaged in a conversation with a woman who had lived in Nashville, as do I.
We soon discovered that we knew some of the same people and had many of the same interests. We both knew hit songwriters Chuck Cannon and Kostas. She was a singer/songwriter herself (and still is) and worked with others I know in "NashVegas." The game stunk but suddenly the afternoon had gotten more interesting.
You may gather from this website that I am drawn to unusual and significant "Events-in-Music." My new friend had a fascinating story.
She is an understudy to one of the lead characters in an Off-Broadway stage production playing in 15-20 cities in nearly a dozen different countries. When the character she understudies can't make a show, or shows, she is flown to the performance city and fills in. Sometimes for a day or two, sometimes for weeks. She is a permanent member of the cast. To my thinking, this lady probably has the most interesting role of all, with all the city hopping. She says it's difficult to stay "on," not knowing when she'll perform next.
The show is called "Menopause The Musical." Menopause the what? That's what I said. I still don't get it (I'm a MAN, baby!) but my friend says she's sure I'll enjoy it. Although the crowds are mostly (menopausal?) women, men get a big hoot out of it too. (I guess you figured it is a comedy...duh.)
Anyway, I haven't seen the show yet. But recently I saw actress (Three's Company)/fitness entrepreneur ("The ThighMaster") Suzanne Somers on Larry King Live touting her new book, Ageless, which promotes a treatment for menopause called "bioidentical hormone therapy."
I don't understand it (I'm a MAN!) but BodyLogicMD.com says: "'Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones' is the newest and most comprehensive book yet about bioidentical hormones by Suzanne Somers. Following her successful 'The Sexy Years,' this book continues her extensive research with 16 leading physicians on bioidentical hormone therapy, including BodyLogicMD's Chief Medical Officer, explaining in terms that everyone can understand and enjoy the importance of Bioidentical Hormones, Fitness, Nutrition and Sleep. We highly recommend that you read this book cover to cover.
"Dr. Paul Savage is one of the 16 leading physicians that Suzanne Somers' writes about, as he discusses with her the importance of proper Nutrition and Hormones. In this interview, Dr. Savage describes to Suzanne his own life’s journey to better fitness, nutrition, stress-reduction and the need for bioidentical hormone replacement for both men and women. Read as he discusses with her the experiences he has encountered from nearly a thousand patients, and the specific cases that touched his heart the most, and of his efforts to expand his work to physicians throughout the country.
"Summary:
'Ageless' is jam-packed with new, updated information on bioidentical hormone replacement and anti-aging. A definite read."
On the Larry King Live program there was a panel of women experts (and one MAN doctor, not in the studio) "discussing" the subject. In preparing this article, I went to the Larry King Live website where they archive transcripts of past programs to get the names of the others on the show besides Suzanne Somers. I couldn't find it. I don't think there is one. I don't think it can be done. For the entire length of the show (was it "the full hour" or maybe an extended show?) EVERYONE talked over each other about this new hormone replacement therapy and the merits and short-comings of Suzanne's new book. The women ripped each other. All three women ripped the Doctor. Larry tried to maintain order, God bless him. Ultimately he just laughed and watched the hysteria unfold.
It is a controversial subject.
According to CNN, "The American Medical Association has stepped into the controversy over alternative hormone treatments for aging that actress-fitness guru Suzanne Somers advocates in a new book.
"The largest U.S. doctors' group voted this week to seek stricter Food and Drug Administration oversight and regulation of these so-called "bioidentical" hormone compounds.
"Some of the treatments are promoted as alternatives to estrogen and progestin supplements once widely used for hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. Somers' new book, 'Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones' on national best-seller lists, maintains that these treatments also can reverse the aging process and keep people mentally sharp, physically fit and sexually active.
"Some doctors who were quoted in 'Ageless' say the book overpromises anti-aging benefits from these products and wrote a letter of complaint last month to the book's publisher."
I watched the entire Larry King Live "hormone episode," but I don't feel any more informed about menopause, much less this new controversial treatment. If I want to get along optimally well with my mid-life lady friends (I'm 50+ myself), no doubt I should read Ageless and other books on the complicated, "hotly debated," subject. Forgive me, ladies, it's too much for my head. I'm just gonna go see the musical.
"Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, writer/producer Jeanie Linders created the show as a celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived The Change. Since its first performance, the show has evolved as a 'grassroots' movement of women who deal with life after 40 and all the challenges that result in the mental, physical and spiritual freedom of more than 38 million post WWII baby boomer females. Menopause The Musical® has evolved into to a women's movement that targets the interests, needs, and sensibilities of women over 40 through a free magazine, an art show – the visual celebration of women over 40, and a nonprofit charity, the Entertainment To Empowerment Foundation, which is underwritten by sales from the show's product and souvenir line.
"According to Linders, 'Most women know intuitively every other woman is experiencing the memory loss or night sweats or hot flashes. They talk about it with their friends and, on occasion, with their spouses. But, when they're in a theatre with hundreds of women all shouting 'that's me!' then they know what they are experiencing is normal. They aren't crazy; they call it a 'sisterhood.'"
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