Women's Health

Hot Flash or Power Surge?

A woman going through menopause posted a message on a bulletin board that read, "I'm not having a hot flash. I'm having a POWER SURGE!" That was in 1992. Little did she know that phrase would lead her to build Power Surge, a Web site devoted to women in midlife.

Today, Alice Lotto Stamm -- known online as "Dearest" -- runs a virtual community made up of "wonderfully caring, savvy, inquisitive and witty gals." Power Surge not only focuses on hot flashes, insomnia, estrogen deficiency and depression but also offers a platform to discuss families, emotions, self-esteem, weight and myriad other major life changes.

Power Surge emphasizes that each menopausal experience is different; that there is no one treatment that helps everyone. Medical progress has brought new options to hormone-replacement therapy such as soy protein, herbs and vitamins.

Women approaching or going through this difficult time can seek relief with Power Surge's guest chats, 24-hour support polls, medical consultants, weekly "gab sessions," message boards and more. Ask experts about weight loss, intimacy and relationships or other menopausal issues.

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