MESSAGE TO MY 45 YEARS OLD SELF.
THE IRONY OF MENOPAUSE
Just when I have the chance to genuinely explore my natural, adventurous self, The virginal goes on strike! My uterus seems to be the center of my entire existence. My life starts to be safeguarded the moment my uterus starts to bleed. Once my uterus has bled for a certain number of years, my life will belong to someone else. My life is given to my children when my uterus is ready to conceive, and when I have reached my desired state, my uterus is ready to terminate. However, it doesn't end there. It doesn't simply vanish. When it shuts its door, it needs more than just some estrogen.It hovers while screaming, yelling, and shouting. When it bleeds, it is sorrowful; when it flushes, it is angry. But no matter how much it hurts, or how much it hurts, a woman doesn't need much to win. In any case.
There are differences this time. You know, I used to believe that everyone my uterus had given a home to, supported, and made a part of its family would one day return to repay it.to support the burden of what it means for a woman to age. to replace hormones that have served their purpose and need to be replaced. But on top of the hot flashes, heavy bleeding, missed periods, and mood swings, it's only now that I've come to the realization that everything may have been for nothing. I turn back, expecting to see an army of people I provisioned for following closely after me, but instead I discovered a dining table crowded with mouths waiting.
I spent decades giving, and at times I felt that showing love was my responsibility.Even when it was time for me to get care, somehow taking care of others came to be a part of my job description. So I'm left to clean up my flesh and blood at a time when I need my flesh and blood.I got a kick to my stomach, right in my uterus, all by myself.
Women don't require a lot. They should be given considerably more.
My post-menopause sexual life should be better since I won't have to worry about getting my period, becoming pregnant, or having my kids walk in on me. It can be beneficial, but I didn't anticipate it to be the same kind of sex I experienced in my 20s. Even though I may have freedom at home, this time of my life has seen a lot of changes that have affected my intimacy. "As the kids go off to college and my careers wind down, I am redefining my roles and my relationships," I am also changing physically.
In the years leading up to menopause, known as peri-menopause, and during it, my estrogen levels have plummeted. My sexual function has been significantly impacted by this adjustment. It has decreased my desire to engage in sexual activity and made it more difficult for me to excite. Additionally, it has dried out my virginal canal, which has made sex difficult. I frequently experience sexual challenges throughout this peri-menopausal and post-menopausal stage, ranging from a lack of enthusiasm for sex to issues attaining orgasm.
It appears that I'm more prone to have health issues at this age and stage. Chronic illnesses and injuries have sapped my energy and led to a physical shrinkage of my lower body. My sexual desire has been impacted by all of this.
About the Creator
Mirabel Abuba
Hi, Abuba Mirabel, the autor of four excellent books and a ceative writing director.I help raise public awareness of the damaging and prolonged effects of rape, and sexual abuse, domestic and family violence.
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Day 4 of Quitting
If this is how sobriety feels, maybe it’s better to go through life a little buzzed… this, along with other hits like, I want to kill myself, I wish I was dead, and I’m going to throw myself off a bridge have been the only thoughts on rotation these past few days. I promise myself that if, in a month, I still feel like this (‘this’ meaning despondent, full of rage, and simultaneously numb) I can go back to smoking. Until mid-February though? Nicotine is off the table.
By sleepy drafts22 days ago in Longevity
This 7,000-Year-Old Stone Wall Found off the Coast of France May Be the Work of Hunter-Gatherers—and It’s Tearing Archaeology in Two
A mysterious underwater structure challenges long-held beliefs about early human societies A remarkable discovery off the coast of France is forcing archaeologists to rethink what they know about early human history. Beneath shallow coastal waters lies a 7,000-year-old stone wall, carefully arranged and stretching across the seabed. What makes this find so controversial is not just its age, but who may have built it. Some researchers believe the wall was constructed by hunter-gatherers, a claim that challenges one of archaeology’s most established ideas: that large stone structures only appeared after humans adopted farming and permanent settlements. The debate has divided experts and opened a new chapter in understanding prehistoric societies. The Discovery Beneath the Sea The stone wall was discovered off the French coastline during underwater surveys conducted by marine archaeologists. Made of stacked stones arranged in a deliberate, linear pattern, the structure clearly shows signs of human design rather than natural formation. Radiocarbon dating of nearby organic material suggests the wall dates back around 7,000 years, a time when much of today’s coastline was dry land. Rising sea levels after the last Ice Age gradually submerged the area, preserving the structure underwater for thousands of years. What archaeologists found was not random debris. The stones were placed with care, forming a barrier that appears too organized to be accidental. Why the Wall Is So Controversial The controversy centers on one major question: Who built it? Traditional archaeological thinking holds that hunter-gatherers lived in small, mobile groups. They are believed to have left behind tools, campsites, and art—but not large-scale stone constructions. Monumental building has long been associated with farming societies, which had stable food supplies and permanent settlements. If hunter-gatherers built this wall, it would suggest they were: More organized than previously believed Capable of long-term planning Able to coordinate labor for large projects This challenges the idea that agriculture was required for complex construction. Arguments Supporting the Hunter-Gatherer Theory Some archaeologists argue that the evidence strongly supports hunter-gatherer involvement. Timing At the time the wall was built, farming had not yet fully spread to the region. This makes agricultural builders unlikely. Location The wall sits in what was once a coastal landscape, rich in marine life. Hunter-gatherers often lived near coastlines, relying on fishing and foraging. Purpose Researchers suggest the wall may have been used to trap fish, manage tidal flows, or mark territory. Such uses align well with hunter-gatherer lifestyles, especially coastal communities known for complex fishing techniques. Supporters argue that hunter-gatherers have long been underestimated, and this discovery may reveal a more sophisticated social structure than previously acknowledged. Skepticism Within the Archaeological Community Not all experts are convinced. Critics argue that labeling the wall as hunter-gatherer work may be premature. Some key objections include: The structure could be younger than estimated, built later by early farming groups Natural processes might have influenced the wall’s shape There is limited evidence of nearby settlements linked directly to the structure Skeptics warn against rewriting history based on a single find, urging further excavation and analysis before drawing major conclusions. Why This Debate Matters This discovery goes beyond a stone wall—it strikes at the heart of how archaeologists understand human development. If hunter-gatherers built the structure, it would mean: Social complexity existed earlier than thought Large cooperative projects did not depend on farming The transition from foraging to farming was more gradual and diverse It would also add to a growing list of discoveries worldwide suggesting that prehistoric societies were far more adaptable and innovative than once believed. Rising Seas and Lost Histories The find also highlights the importance of underwater archaeology. As sea levels rose after the Ice Age, many ancient coastal settlements were submerged and forgotten. Experts believe countless sites like this remain hidden beneath the oceans. These drowned landscapes could hold key evidence about early human life, migration, and innovation. Advances in sonar mapping and diving technology are now allowing researchers to explore these areas more thoroughly, potentially uncovering more discoveries that challenge existing narratives. What Comes Next Researchers plan to: Conduct deeper surveys around the wall Search for tools, campsites, or organic remains Use improved dating techniques to confirm the structure’s age Until more evidence is collected, the debate is likely to continue. Some archaeologists see the wall as proof of early human ingenuity, while others remain cautious. What is certain is that the discovery has already changed the conversation. Conclusion The 7,000-year-old stone wall off the coast of France is more than an underwater curiosity—it is a challenge to long-held assumptions about early human societies. Whether built by hunter-gatherers or early farmers, the structure reveals that prehistoric people were capable of greater planning and cooperation than once believed. As archaeology continues to move beyond land-based discoveries, finds like this remind us that history is not fixed. Sometimes, a single wall beneath the sea is enough to divide experts—and bring us closer to understanding our shared past.
By Fiaz Ahmed 4 days ago in Longevity
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