9 Myths And Truths About Menopause
For many women, going through menopause may be a time with more questions than answers. Each woman manages ‘the change’ in different ways and experiences different types of symptoms.
There’s also a tremendous amount of misinformation out there, which can be confusing. We’ve compiled a list of the most common misconceptions about menopause with the correct factual information to help you navigate this time in your life more easily.
30-Second Summary
- There’s so much conflicting information about menopause floating around, and it can be difficult to know which facts to trust.
- Many of these misconceptions stem from the general taboo about menopause that exists in society, which may prevent the correct details from being disseminated.
- Other misinformation occurs because different women experience menopause differently. They have different symptoms, and some experience none at all.
- One common myth is that menopause can’t be treated, which is incorrect. There is hormone therapy, as well as non-hormonal therapy like hypnosis, mindfulness, or yoga.
- Several women require medical intervention, while others manage their symptoms on their own or with the use of top-rated menopause supplements.
Common Misconceptions And Corrections About Menopause
Misconception 1: Hot Flashes are the Primary Menopause Symptom
Hot flashes get a lot of attention because they are particularly unpleasant and difficult to deal with.
If they happen in public, they may also be more visible than some other related issues. Furthermore, they are discussed more frequently in the media than other symptoms.
However, according to the Mayo Clinic[1], there are several other potential symptoms such as weight gain, mood changes, sleep difficulties, night sweats, chills, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, loss of breast fullness, thinning hair, and dry skin. Women may experience some or all of these issues at different levels of severity, or even not at all, depending on the individual.
Misconception 2: Once Your Period Stops, You Can’t Get Pregnant
The conventional wisdom is that you should use birth control until your periods have stopped for a year – for women over 50. For women under 50, it’s best to wait until 2 years have passed. However, this is only a guideline.
In reality, women have gotten their periods after 2 years, and it still could be possible to get pregnant, albeit probably unlikely. If you are uncertain, keep using birth control or have a medical procedure to prevent conception.
You may also ask your physician to check some of the biochemical markers associated with menopause to see where you stand.
Misconception 3: You Don’t Need Medical Care During Menopause
Menopause is not an illness, so you don’t necessarily require medical treatment if your symptoms are not severe. However, many women do experience serious difficulties during this time that require medical intervention.
This may mean hormone replacement therapy for some, or medications to treat medical issues like depression or high blood pressure. Also, there is non-hormonal therapy available.
A review in the Journal of Evidence-Based and Integrative Medicine[2] discussed complementary and alternative therapies for menopause like hypnosis, cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and relaxation training.
There is also an array of organic supplements and other products, which help ease menopausal symptoms using plant-based estrogens that balance hormone levels.
Estroven is a brand that offers a range of menopause care supplements for symptoms like stress, weight gain, sleep disturbances, and others. The Estroven review postings online had positive things to say about this product.
Misconception 4: It Destroys Your Sex Life
It’s true that during menopause you may experience a decrease in sexual desire and possibly some vaginal dryness. In some women, this does not occur, and even if it does, it’s hardly the end of your sex life.
According to a study in the Journal of Health Psychology[4], interpersonal factors also play a huge role in the quality of sex after menopause, like your relationship with your partner.
There are medical treatments, like hormone therapy, that can help bring you back into balance. There are also some top-rated menopause supplements like Estroven that could have a big impact on your libido.
Misconception 5: Weight Always Increases During Menopause
Women often gain some weight during menopause, especially in the belly area, as a result of the decreases in estrogen levels.
However, much of the extra weight you put on at this time is not due to menopause itself but rather connected to normal changes we go through as we age.
As we get older, the metabolism slows down while fat mass increases. Whatever the reason, you can help combat this extra fat with a healthy diet and exercise.
Misconception 6: Your Period Will End Very Abruptly
Although some women experience an abrupt end to their periods, this is quite rare. The majority of the time there is a buildup over years where your periods become more and more irregular and sometimes lighter or shorter.
Towards the end of menopause, some women may get their period only every few months or longer.
Misconception 7: Menopause Begins at 50
The average age is close to that. According to an article in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, the average age is between 50-53 with some differences for culture and socioeconomic status.
That said, the age varies from woman to woman, depending on lifestyle factors and genes. Some start earlier than others and this is perfectly natural.
Misconception 8: The Bone Loss You Experience During Menopause is Permanent
While it’s true that some bone loss does occur during menopause, there are also steps you can take to strengthen your bones and help prevent further loss.
Taking vitamin D and calcium as a supplement can do a lot to support the strength of your bones and muscles.
You should also include foods in your diet with these nutrients, such as leafy green vegetables, almonds, oranges, and sardines.
Moreover, exercise is an important part of keeping the bones strong. Choose an activity that supports bone strength like walking, dancing, running, or weight lifting and do it regularly.
Misconception 9: There’s No Treatment for Mood Swings During Menopause
This is FALSE. There are many treatments to help with changes in mood during menopause, from anti-depressant medications to lifestyle modifications like changes in nutrition and exercise.
You can seek therapy, and there are some alternative methods like cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and hypnosis that can have a big impact. An article in the American Journal of Medicine[4] explored the diagnosis and management of mood disorders during menopause.
The Final Word
Women living with menopause often have the difficult task of slogging through all of the information out there to figure out what is correct.
Ideally, this guide to common misconceptions and myths about the change of life will have cleared up some of those questions.
The bottom line is that menopause is not the end of your life, it’s a new stage, and there are many ways to deal with the uncomfortable symptoms.
This includes medical solutions like hormone replacement therapy or prescriptions to treat depression and other symptoms. It can also involve alternative treatments like mindfulness or cognitive behavioral therapy.
Moreover, there are also some excellent organic supplements on the market, which balance the hormones and ease symptoms, like Estroven. The Estroven review posts online indicated that women found this product somewhat helpful at eliminating hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, and other symptoms.
Menopause doesn’t have to be a difficult time in your life, as there’s a lot of help to get you through it more easily. Consider it a novel, exciting stage with different experiences and new things to learn as a woman.
References:
[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6419242/
[3] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1359105310368187
[4] https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(05)00901-0/fulltext
