Menopause symptoms no one has prepared you for

The commercials for menopause medications and hormone replacement are pretty terrifying. (Ok, so, I'll be experiencing hot flashes and night sweats…maybe some weight gain too, just for fun?) It sounds like our lives as we know them are going to end, and we'll never be the same. "Beyond hot flashes, women may experience night sweats, weight gain, skin and hair changes, mood changes, pain in their joints, decreased vaginal lubrication and elasticity leading to painful intercourse and more vaginal infections, and decreases in sexual desire," Advanced Practice pharmacist Sally Rafie  told me.

Fortunately for all of us, the experts I spoke with shared tips and inspiration for how to navigate the big change, as well as some other symptoms to be aware of. Ladies, let's do this.

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Crazy facts about kissing you never knew

The importance of kissing in relationships is well-documented. In fact, research shows that 59 percent of men and 66 percent of women have found themselves less attracted to a potential partner after a bad first kiss; further, Butler University's John Bohannon surveyed 500 people and found that most people can remember up to 90 percent of the details of a first romantic kiss. That's a lot of pressure during the early days of courtship, no?

Whether you refer to it as smooching, snogging, tonsil hockey, or making out, here are some crazy facts about kissing you likely never knew, from the surprising health benefits of locking lips to details on the first-ever kiss in film history.

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