Her family was concerned for her safety and reputation. After 30 years of marriage, they knew, that Lena was very vulnerable. What did she know about dating and strangers or date rape and sexually transmitted diseases? Lena knew one thing for certain: love does not have a best-before date. Evidently there was another unspoken concern: who would cook Sunday dinners, watch grandkids and walk dogs if mom or grandma was dating. Lena was not about to let these chores hold her back.

Lena is one of many fiery over 50 dames with lots of love and life. The idea of dating put a sparkle into her eyes. After a few “let’s meet for coffee” dates, that didn’t amount to anything, Lena struck gold! Ryan, whom she met in her doctor’s waiting room, was everything she hoped for. They exchanged phone numbers, leaving Lena’s doctor worried about her elevated heart rate. A widower without children, Ryan was like a breath of fresh air. Easy-going, fun, responsible, smart and loving, he put romance and zest into her life. They fell madly in love and lived happily ever after.

This is a dating dream come true for most older, single women. Today, dating over 50 is just as common as dating at a younger age. However, there are profound differences in life circumstances and experiences. While Lena’s 24-year old son is still a person in making, much of her personality is carved in stone.

Unfortunately, not all dating adventures of older singles have happy endings. More often than not, dating at a mature age comes with baggage. Ex wives, stepchildren, step-grandchildren, in-laws or out-laws just to name a few. Divorces, followed by revolving-door relationships, health problems, commitments and inflexible lifestyles can be added to list. This baggage prevents many singles from creating close relationships. With an increase of singles over 50, are we gearing up for a new generation of senior singles, even though most consider living alone undesirable? Here is good news for all mature singles, who have not found their “one and only”. Whether they use Internet, dating agencies, single events or their doctor’s waiting room, precaution and safety rules apply equally.

As a mature person you have gained qualities such compassion, integrity, wisdom and patience, all of which nurture rewarding relationships. Unlike your children, you are most likely much better equipped for a loving relationship. Use exactly those qualities to find love and keep love. Avoid falling victim of clever-minded dating strategies in modern world of romance. Youth isn’t only thing that guarantees dating success.

Successful relationships are based on three principles: mutual respect, moral responsibility and authenticity. These are also common-sense principles while dating and here is what they mean:

1.Mutual Respect: Others are just as valuable as you

Women often demand much of their bodies. Stress exists in many forms for an active, involved woman today. Women have demanding and stressful careers. Women have family responsibilities. The relationship with spouse or partner may not be best. Aging parents can add to burden. These and other responsibilities add up in toll they take on body, health and well-being of a woman.

And at same time, womans body may not be getting support it needs to function as it was designed. Obesity, lack of exercise, poor nutrition, excess caffeine and alcohol add to problem instead of helping body cope with what is demanded of it. This stressful lifestyle, coinciding with inadequate support given to body, contributes to experiencing many of early menopause symptoms.

Common first symptoms of menopause for women are:

• Irregular menstrual cycles • Light or heavy menstrual flow • Lumpy or tender breasts • Fibroid tumors • Endometriosis • Mood swings • Water retention and bloating • Sleep problems • "Foggy, fuzzy" thinking and memory lapses • Anxiety and depression • Inability to handle stress • PMS • Hot flashes and night sweats • Vaginal dryness • Weight gain

Then there are hormones, menstrual cycle and hormone production in body. In normal menstrual cycle and a healthy woman, estrogen is dominant hormone that is produced for first 10-12 days following previous menstrual flow. Ovulation then signals female body to produce progesterone, which happens for next 12 days or so. If there is no pregnancy, progesterone and estrogen levels will drop at around day 28, allowing menstruation to begin.