She is very vocal about her life. She believes speaking up about intimate details of her life can help others to heal from their own challenges. Radio personality and activist Criselda Kananda recently opened up about experiencing menopause.

REMOVING HER WOMB

In a lengthy post on social media, Criselda documents removing her womb and the first signs of menopause. "I don't believe in things just happening by chance in my life. I do believe it all happens for a reason, reading the stories shared by so many women, I realised that the M-word is a silent pain for most women/families. I was so excited to be starting a new phase in my life; children are all grown, couldn't wait for them to leave home so I can have time to myself after all the kindergarten, primary, and college fetch and drops, homework and so much more,' she says. "Finally, I'd have time to myself and time for her other interests. I was looking forward to traveling and taking dancing lessons. (Girl has two left feet) don't laugh. But recent health changes have been getting in the way of my plans. I had been having irregular menstrual periods for the past five years. Then came hot flashes which I termed private summer moments, even in winter followed by trouble sleeping.'

THE DIAGNOSES

The hot flashes, which caused her body and face to heat up quickly and uncomfortably, especially on-stage during talks or MCing were waking her up several times a night. "I became tired and irritable from lack of sleep. The hot flashes were becoming a nightmare for my make-up artist. I realised over time that this was not normal,' she says. Criselda needed medical attention to find some relief. "Doctors confirmed that I was experiencing the menopausal transition, a normal part of aging for women. I remember questioning the creator of life, Mara why? Why do we women have to experience Men-o-pause, Men-Struation, Men-tal health issues, etc. why? The answer was quite simply that I should chill and work with my body not against it by worrying.' Criselda says that menopause should not be seen as a disease or disorder. "This time in a woman's life is often full of other transitions in addition to physical ones. Women may be caring for aging parents or relatives, supporting their children as they move into adulthood, or taking on new responsibilities at work.

WORD OF ADVICE

Criselda says that some women don't have any trouble with menopausal symptoms and may even feel relieved when they no longer need to worry about painful periods or getting pregnant. "For other women, the menopausal transition can bring hot flushes, trouble sleeping, pain during sex, moodiness, irritability and depression,' she says. "Any of these symptoms as a sign of aging. Some choose to suffer in silence and some may decide to consult a health specialist about lifestyle changes to prepare for the next life phase.'