The shroud surrounding the topic of menopause has resulted in many myths, half-truths, and old wife’s tales. Many are still believed and will continue to be so until we change the narrative and start speaking openly to educate and bring awareness on what Menopause is. Simply put, menopause, “refers to that time in every woman’s life when her periods stop, and her ovaries lose their reproductive function. Usually, this occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, but in a few exceptional cases women may become menopausal in their 30s, or even younger.” (Women’s health concern.org)
Below are some of the menopause myths that I have identified:
Myth 1. You can only tell you are in menopause when your periods stop
I believed this too but in fact, you can have periods and experience menopausal symptoms – such as brain fog, low mood, hot flushes in perimenopause, the stage before menopause.
Myth 2. Menopause automatically starts at age 50
Menopause is not predictable and will not hit at precisely 50 years! Every woman will experience menopause differently. Most will start to experience symptoms before 50 years, some as early as in their 30s and continue to do so well into their 60s. 52 is the average age that the actual menopause begins.
Myth 3. Hot flushes are the only symptom of menopause
Women experience many other symptoms besides hot flushes, e.g., loss of libido, night sweats, forgetfulness, low self-esteem, tiredness, irritability, vaginal dryness, aches, and pains and many more.
Myth 4. Menopause isn’t that bad! You’re overacting
The culture of silence around menopause has caused women to grin and bear their experience hence perpetuating the belief that menopause cannot be that bad. But the fact is that women undergo physical, emotional, and psychological changes, some which can be quite traumatic. Some of these experiences have led to suicide and divorce.10% of women end up leaving the workforce due to the seriousness of their symptoms.
Myth 5. Sex life will disappear after menopause.
Women may experience loss of or low libido during the menopause as a sign of the hormone imbalance, but there are solutions to address this to ensure that your sex life doesn’t disappear forever. On the other hand, some women experience an increased libido during this time.
Myth 6. If I have surgical menopause, I won’t have any menopause symptoms.
In the case of surgical menopause, it sets in quite rapidly because of the sudden shift in the hormonal balance that the body was not ready for. Natural menopause sets in a bit slower than the surgical one.
Myth 7. Being in menopause means I’m old.
This is not necessarily true; it simply is a time of transition requiring a few adjustments to your lifestyle. Your attitude here matters – you could view it as a liberating season of your life.
Myth 8. Menopause can be cured with HRT
HRT is used to reduce/bring relief of symptoms of menopause. It replaces the hormones that are no longer working in the woman’s body that cause the symptoms. It is not a cure for Menopause.
Myth 9. The menopause only lasts a few years
This varies depending on the women. Some experience a shorter season while for most the symptoms may go on for 10 years. “Menopause symptoms last, on average, for between 4 – 8 years, but for a small percentage of women they may continue for longer.” Diane Danzebrink,(psychotherapist, menopause expert, wellbeing consultant). In fact, most women spend one-third of their life postmenopausal.
Myth 10. You can’t get pregnant
Women need to understand that for as long as they are menstruating, however little, they can get pregnant and hence must stay on contraceptives until such a time where they have not experienced a period for 12 months. It is then that they reach menopause.
Coming from a background that does not openly talk about menopause, I was surprised by most of the myths I read. I believed that at fifty I’d automatically be in menopause and my period would stop. I was not aware of the perimenopausal stage, nor of the many symptoms associated with it. I also believed that hot flushes defined menopause. Understanding what was happening in my body not only brought peace of mind but empowered me to seek more knowledge and the right solutions for me. Knowledge is power. The lack of information around menopause has caused many false whispers and taboos that have generated half-truths and myths. In some cultures, these myths remain as gospel truth because nothing has challenged these myths.
Ignorance is not bliss where menopause is concerned. The way to debunk the myths is to educate the women and those around them. Armed with the facts, they will let go of the old myths. “When it comes to managing your menopause symptoms it is important to have factual, evidence-based advice upon which to make an informed decision. In November 2015, NICE produced menopause guidelines for clinicians but they are available for everyone to read,”- Diane Danzebrink. Talking about menopause openly will help women prepare for this season of their lives and probably make for an easier transition – forewarned is forearmed.
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