I'm nervous and scared because I heard that a lot of women become crazy and unstable. And a lot of people get divorced because of menopause. I don't want to become unstable or scream and shout at people for no reason. Also, I heard that sexual desire disappears...

I heard that the libido drops... I'm also expecting the possibility of weak bones and osteoporosis.

It's another stage in life...in which your body changes again... I hope that this stage, for me, is going to be a positive experience... It's a stage that makes me feel as if I were born again, and a phase of my life where I can see the world and various situations in different ways.

Menopause is the end of fertility, but it is a natural cycle. I have mixed feelings, I can't wait for it to pass. I feel a bit sad not to be fertile anymore, but I think I'm accepting it and beginning to realize how great it can be... I can do healthy things like hiking and swimming. My kids are already grown now in any case... Certainly I feel lucky and optimistic. It's just a cycle of life.

As long as I can take care of myself I will be just fine. Of course, I'm also noticing how in the last three months my hair has become increasingly white. In the beginning, when all this white hair started appearing, I was going crazy. I understand very well that I'm going through a change. But now I just have to go buy a little hair dye!

I'm no longer attached to reproductive aspects. I've managed to give more focus to my inner self. For me, it was also a kind of spiritual growth... In reality it's actually very nice, very quiet, very serene.

I feel much stronger and less anxious... I'm very comfortable with myself and happy with what I'm doing and who I am. I eat fresh fruits and vegetables every day, breath clean air, drink clean water and live in a wonderful place. I enjoy my work [computer technician] and help people every day.

It's horrible! [Laughs] because I'm older. I no longer have the energy I had in the past. It's a pain to have all these hot flashes, I don't like them, but it's a part of life and you learn to live with these problems.

I'm angry because I understand that I'm changing and I like being who I am. I don't want to change, but I was not given the possibility of having a choice.

Now I'm getting grumpy and less tolerant with people.

Physically it's a good thing to be free from menstrual cycles. I think it gives you a different sense of yourself and you feel wiser.

Enough bleeding! It's like living a new femininity, as it was for the other periods that I lived through - giving birth, raising children, and now...it's time to celebrate wisdom.

My goodness, you don't even know how much money you save just on sanitary napkins! Who knows how much chocolate can I buy now [laughs]! It's great! And what's more, I no longer have those premenstrual mood swings. I'm happy with how it went.

I'm fine physically and mentally. I'm super-excited not to have any more menstrual cycles... and I don't feel any loss of femininity. As a matter of fact, I feel more mature and I like that...

It's so nice to no longer have periods! And I think [laughs]... I might be going through a sexual awakening. I'm more aware of who I am as a woman. After becoming a mother and then a grandmother, you know, it's almost like a blessing - a reward for all those years spent bringing up children and enduring men [laughs]. And I think that menopause makes you really get in tune with yourself.

I am always sweaty and I feel very insecure. I don't want anyone getting near me...

Unfortunately I get the feeling that society has power over women, to make it seem to them as if menopause were some kind of disease.