In this blog post, we’re venturing into the world of menopause facts and myths.
It’s like the fairy tales of adulthood, except some of these tales are more Grimm than Disney.
Whether you’ve been through it, are going through it, or it’s on the distant horizon, one thing’s for sure – menopause is a topic wrapped in whispers and sometimes, misunderstandings.
So let’s take a look and see what we can do to bust some menopause facts and myths.
Menopause Common Myths!
#1 Menopause starts after 50
As I said above, the start of menopause is as unique as the amazing women experiencing it, typically making its grand entrance anywhere between 45 and 55 years of age, though it can surprise some of us earlier or linger in the wings for others a bit longer.
This myth often leads to a chorus of “too young for this” or “surely, not yet,” echoing through the minds of many women who begin noticing changes earlier than expected.
And let’s be honest, doctors have the same thoughts which is why getting help is so hard!
If you feel like you have perimenopausal symptoms, please go and speak to a GP. There is help out there.
#2 Menopause is a ‘natural' transition for all women
Menopause is a natural process for women but not all women have natural menopause.
Surgical menopause and medical menopause need to be discussed.
Surgical menopause refers to the onset of menopause that occurs immediately after a woman undergoes surgery to remove her ovaries (oophorectomy), with or without the removal of the uterus (total hysterectomy).
This procedure causes a sudden drop in hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, which can lead to more severe menopausal symptoms than those experienced during natural menopause.
For many women, the transition into surgical menopause can be challenging both physically and emotionally.
#3 Your symptoms are just menopause and not serious
Saying that you are going through “just menopause and not serious” is like saying the Grand Canyon is “just a hole in the ground” – it’s a massive underestimation.
Symptoms can range from mildly annoying to seriously impactful, affecting both physical and mental well-being.
It’s crucial to recognize and validate these experiences. Dismissing them can mean missing out on the opportunity for support, treatment, and understanding from those around us.
Remember, all menopause symptoms and every experience are valid, deserving of attention, and most importantly, support.
Loss of sex drive can cause issues in a marriage, irregular periods can make planning anything a real concern, vaginal dryness messes up your sex life, and difficulty sleeping causes a world of problems.
#4 The first sign of menopause is hot flashes/flushes
Ah myth #5 – it’s time to take you off the stage because the spotlight has found a more truthful star.
Throwing hot flashes the title of “first sign of menopause” is like giving a single chocolate chip the credit for an entire cookie.
The truth is, that the menopause journey can start with many other symptoms.
For me, it was this weird fear of driving at night and feeling like everyone hated me. Suddenly I found myself not wanting to interact with anyone, wanted to hide and did not want to be driving at night.
Women assume that they will know when the menopause symptoms arrive, but remember that a hot flush (hot flash for my USA friends) may not be it.
#5 You will gain weight during menopause
Not every woman gains weight during menopause. Yep, you heard that right! While it’s common to see some shifts in weight due to hormonal changes, it’s not a universal rule.
Every woman is different and each of us has our unique blend of moderate symptoms, severe symptoms and no symptoms at all.
A healthy weight is something we all strive for but when you are stressed, anxious, have brain fog and feel completely overwhelmed, it’s OK to reach for a cookie now and then, give yourself a break!
But everything should be in moderation.
I didn’t really gain weight but I got menopause belly. I looked 6 months pregnant. Luckily with the right HRT and a bit of food adjustment, I am back to my normal self.
#6 Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is dangerous
Navigating the world of hormone therapy can sometimes feel like trying to find your way through a dense, misinformed jungle. But there is good news…
The old tales of terror surrounding hormone therapy have been revisited and revised with a fresh and more accurate perspective.
Today, we know that when tailored to your unique needs and under the watchful eye of a knowledgeable healthcare provider, hormone replacement therapy can ease the symptoms of menopause.
I remember all the scare stories about breast cancer and how HRT was bad for women’s health. Well, I considered all my treatment options and my HRT combination has worked wonders for me.
Not everyone can take HRT so please do speak to a health professional if you are thinking about it.
#7 Menopause only causes physical symptoms
Physical symptoms often grab the spotlight but it’s the silent whisperings of the mental and emotional shifts that truly test our resilience.
These changes, range from mood swings to brain fog to social anxiety to severe depression. They’re not just footnotes in the grand scheme of menopause; they’re headline material that demands attention and care.
Most women experience mood changes throughout the month of their period but this is something else.
You really do not feel like yourself and if you don’t have a safe outlet to share your worries, it just get’s worse.
There are lots of resources out there to help if you are struggling and I have listed a few that helped me:
#8 Women know what to expect
Surprisingly, many of us reach this stage armed with little more than hearsay and myths.
And here’s the kicker – our schools, those bastions of learning, seem to tiptoe around it, leaving us woefully unprepared for the wild ride of weird and wonderful symptoms.
Hot flashes? Sure, we’ve heard of those. But sore teeth, brain fog, itchy skin, hair loss… not so much.
There is a lot of information out there but we seem to think the outdated stuff we were taught at school would be enough. It’s not.
The only reason I was finally taken seriously and diagnosed is that I mentioned my family history and that my mother started menopause at age 41.
The doctor I was talking to pricked up her ears and got me tested.
Know that the timeline and how menopause shows up is not what we were taught in school!
Summary:
Whatever age you find yourself feeling like this new time of your life has arrived, arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible.
There are medications out there to help your menopausal transition. There will be a healthcare team to take care of your mental well-being and you now know that there are a LOT of menopause myths.
I have only covered a small portion of the common menopause myths but I hope that you will educate yourself as much as possible. Here is a great place to start.
Perimenopause and menopause bring about lifestyle changes that we might not be ready for but if we understand them we can try to handle them with gentle care.
PS. As a bonus myths about menopause, not everyone has a loss of sex drive, for some it goes the other way!!!!
Kathryn x
Kathryn
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, herbal or physical therapist, and I am not educated in the menopause space. All opinions expressed on this blog are my own and should not be taken as medical advice. This blog is intended to share my personal experiences and insights, and should not be used as a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified medical professional, herbal or physical therapist for any health-related concerns. Additionally, I strive to keep things light and entertaining, but please keep in mind that the topics discussed on this blog may be sensitive or triggering for some readers.
