Hot flashes, hormone surges, heart palpitations, unwanted facial hair - sounds fun doesn't it? Well, prepare yourself ladies, as each is a symptom of that bloody (or should I say not so bloody), condition known as menopause.

Menopause - while the mere mention of the word literally makes some women squirm, one has to wonder what all the fuss is about and why one of life's most natural processes gets such a bad rap. The truth is, there are some actual benefits associated with menopause, benefits that just might put a smile on your face. Here are just a few:

No More Period

Ladies, toss your sanitary napkins and boxes of Tampax right out the window! After menopause you won't need them anymore. I know, just just when you thought you should have bought stock in Kotex! And remember too, no more cramps, bloating or other related pre-menstrual symptoms. Bummer, right?

More Sex, More of the Time

How many times have you told your husband, "I can't honey, my monthly visitor has just arrived"? And, no, you were not talking about your mother! Just think, now you can have sex with wild abandon at ANY time during the month. Believe me, your husband is going to eventually thank God for this.

No More Babies

How many times in the heat of the moment did your husband forget to cover Mr. Happy? Or how often did you forget to take your birth control pill during the month? With menopause, forget about worrying because you won't have to fear getting pregnant anymore. This means, both you and your lover will be able to relax more during sex. This is good news, ladies, so what are you waiting for? Grab that hubby of yours and go to town.

Coming of Age

Remember when you were young and sex was sometimes awkward? Well, ladies, doggie sytle has never looked better! Because women "come of age" much later in life than men, many say that after menopause, their sex lives improve. Take advantage of your sexuality now and make menopause a great time to let your hair down.

What About My Symptoms?

Even with all the good surrounding menopause, some women are still going to struggle with symptoms associated with decreased hormone levels. This is normal, but if they become bothersome and start to interfere with daily life, it is time to speak to your health care provider to see if you are a candidate for hormone replacement therapy.