5 Common Fears About Menopause

I remember as a young girl being told in hushed tones that my foster mother was going through the "change" and that we needed to be sensitive and just wait for this mysterious change to wreak it's havoc. It was as though we were taught as young girls that for a part of your life you were a woman and then all that "changed" and you would become old and worn out. I remember being shocked and frightened at the thought of this horrible "change" that would someday destroy me also.

Fast forward 4 years into the future and here I am, "changed" and functioning quite nicely. Were the facts I feared true or just myths that had the power to frighten all of us as women? And what is this terrible "change" or menopause that we have been taught to fear? Does is destroy us or perhaps free us?

For most women, menopause means that her menstrual cycle ceases which signifies an end to her child bearing days. The thought that this menopause is the beginning of the end, however, is truly a myth! For many of us, it's the beginning of the beginning of a wonderful time in our lives. We are free from the fear of unwanted pregnancy and the responsibilities of constant motherhood. And we're free from all the inconveniences of that monthly period.

Centuries ago, 50 years of life was an average age for many women. But today's women will live 1/3 to even ½ of her adult life after she goes through menopause. That's a lot of living, so why are we still so frightened about menopause.

Depression and menopause

We have been taught that going through menopause will cause us to be moody and depressed, crying at the slightest hurt, screaming and yelling as the hormonal changes of menopause turn us into ...well...you know the term! But the facts according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that it's just not true. All women experience these times of hormonal shifts and women who are dealing proactively with their menopause will not experience any more episodes than that of women at any age. It is true that we can do some things to ease that transition, but we don't have to become screaming weeping lunatics.

Weight Gain and loss of health

It is a common belief that women will get fat and thick during menopause, and while it's true that as we age and begin to slow down physically, we may need to adjust our diets to compensate. But, women throughout the world do not typically become fat during menopause unless they predisposed to be heavier their entire adult life. Proper diet and exercise will allow the menopausal woman to maintain their weight quite nicely. But we have fooled ourselves into saying.."I'm getting older and it's natural to gain weight.", instead of continuing our previous diet and exercise habits, we get lazy and lax.

Hot flashes and night sweats

The most common myth surrounding menopause is those unpleasant hot flashes, mood swing and night sweats. In fact, for many women, these symptoms are quite mild and for some negligible or absent altogether. In many surveys, women say yes, they had a few, but not enough to make life unbearable or intolerable. There are foods that can be eaten, like soy products that reduce or end these symptoms altogether. During my menopausal period of change, I drank a daily soy milk shake packed with other helpful vitamins. Never had one episode of hot flashes. And if these symptoms are present, they generally only last a few months. It's not the end of the world as you know it! Physical exercise can alleviate these symptoms also. Go for a vigorous walk or run and you'll sweat for sure!

Hormone Replacement therapy is necessary for menopausal women

During my mother's menopausal times, taking a hormone like Premarin was considered the thing to do and considered the cure all of menopause. But new evidence has shown that HRT has increased the risk of heart disease, stroke, breast cancer and blood clots in many women.

Most doctors today are very careful about using HRT because of these side effects. If used at all, it's recommended that a very low dose be given, especially in women at risk for the above diseases. There are more natural methods to relieve menopause symptoms like hot flashes, osteoporosis and vaginal dryness.

Your sex life is over

This is another common fear; that women just stop having sex after menopause. But this one is a myth of our own making. The fact is that sex after menopause can be a very important part of our lives. We're free of the worry of pregnancy. Often we've more time and so instead of blaming menopause for a lack of interest in sexual activity, perhaps we need to consider other causes. Perhaps the fear is that we are no longer as sexually attractive to our mate as we once were when we were young and vibrant. The fact is that many women enjoy sex more after they go through menopause. Don't be afraid to have an active sex life. It's really up to you!

Last fear: It's just time to slow down and watch your life pass away

This has to be the worst myth of all related to life after menopause. The fact is that women after menopause are still capable of everything they did before. Careers, volunteer service, travel, time with children and grandchildren, are all parts of an active post menopausal life, as long as women continue to take good care of their bodies and minds. In fact, all of those things are easier to balance after age 50 than before, because for most of us, our children are grown and we have more time to pursue the things we choose to do.

Ways to decrease menopausal symptoms

The fact is that women's lives can improve dramatically after menopause. The stresses and strain of that monthly menstrual cycle can drain women of energy. Freed from that monthly cycle, women can embrace an active, strong life. The good news is that you can take many steps to reduce your symptoms without taking hormones:

Limit caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods or monitor their intake, experiment to see what levels help you feel better.

Dress lighter or in layers to deal with alternating periods of hot flashes

Eat soy based foods! Drink soy milk, or add soy sauce to your vegetables.

Exercise and get plenty of it. Take up a new physical hobby, play tennis, or golf

Perform Kegel exercises to strengthen vaginal and bladder muscles

Remain sexually active and look for ways to enrich your sexual experiences and life

Experiment with various lubricants to ease vaginal dryness during sexual intercourse, keep them handy for when the moment arises!

Learn natural relaxation techniques, try meditation or yoga

Seek out new hobbies and interests, spend time with family and friends you enjoy, and find a new challenge! Enjoy this last 1/3 of your life fully. Live it, love it and stop being old before your time.

Of course the best advice on surviving and conquering menopause won't replace the medical expertise of your doctor. Do consult and keep regular checkup visits with your gynecologist or family doctor. Maintaining health into old age requires good healthcare.

Resources:

Personal experience of Betty Malone

http://www.webmd.com/menopause/

https://www.google.com/health/ref/Menopause