Menopause is a natural process that affects every woman and some quite dramatically. Although it may be part of life, it does not have to mean it is easy as some experience changes with vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings, problems sleeping weight gain, and more.
It is no wonder some menopausal women are not themselves. Added to that physical stress is that some women find it hard to talk about menopause. But being able to speak up about this natural part of a woman's life can be helpful and empowering.
What Is Menopause?
According to an article in Drop Bio Health, menopause refers to the first 12 months after a woman's last period. The menopausal transition is called perimenopause in which women would have irregular periods with vasomotor symptoms that vary dramatically from person to person.
Perimenopause could last from months up to 14 years, but most frequently it lasts about seven years. On rare occasions, some women could skip perimenopause and instantly reach menopause. The transition period could depend on the lifestyle, age, and ethnicity of the woman.
During this time, the production of female hormones estrogen and progesterone starts to fluctuate which may cause a few symptoms. Estrogen is responsible for female growth, reproduction, brain function optimization, and mood regulation.
Meanwhile, progesterone helps plays an important role in sexual development and reproduction, maintaining fat tissue, stimulating weight gain and appetite, regulating behavior, and maintaining bone health.
Knowing how these hormones play in the body makes it easier to understand how they affect women as they go through menopause. Drop Bio Health conducted a survey with 200 women in menopause to identify the common symptoms they experience.
The top five common symptoms were hot flashes, weight fluctuations, low energy, low libido, and muscle and joint pain. Other symptoms also include insomnia, brain fog, anxiety, irritability, changes in skin texture, urine leaks, quick heartbeat, vaginal discomfort, and digestion issues.
Why It's Important To Talk About Menopause
Even though menopause is a natural process and some women think that it is simply what they suffer through, it is important to talk about it. Some may still view menopause negatively and as a topic that should not be discussed due to being embarrassed to talk about its symptoms, not knowing certain symptoms, and expecting their healthcare will bring the subject up.
But not talking about menopause will only lead to suffering instead of getting help from a healthcare provider, per an article on Pfizer's website. That means women who suffer from the symptoms may experience symptoms that disrupt their daily life and negatively affect their quality of life.
Addressing menopausal symptoms could help them get back to normal quickly and avoid them feeling the need to leave their jobs. A Wellbeing of Women survey in 2016 found that one in four menopausal women consider quitting their job because of their symptoms.
Talking openly about menopause symptoms helps women accept this new phase of their lives and the more they talk about their experience, the more likely it will be seen as a milestone in a woman's life.
RELATED ARTICLE: Menopause Benefits: Nearly Three-Quarters of Women Gain More Confidence, Feel Liberated When Period Stops [STUDY]
Check out more news and information on Menopause in Science Times.
