New decade, new beginnings, and new opportunity to learn more about yourself as you go through menopause. Here’s my top 10 things I’ve learned.
1. It’s a word, not a sentence! Menopause doesn’t last forever. It begins before you notice it because your estrogen levels start declining long before your menstrual cycle stops. Yes, the symptoms are annoying, but it helps to remember they don’t last forever.
2. Don’t believe everything you hear. I’ve noticed that the women who have the hardest time during menopause will share their experiences as if it’ll be hard for all women. If you feel yourself slipping into a fearful mode about what’s potentially down the road, stop listening! It just might be an easier transition than you’re anticipating. You may or may NOT have hot flashes, trouble sleeping, mood swings or any of the other symptoms. Fewer than half of menopausal women say they are bothered by hot flashes and night sweats. Everyone is different, so keep this in mind!
3. DO engage the support of others. Women who have been there and done that can be a valuable resource. However, stay away from what might feel like support but is actually an opportunity to complain. You’re looking for opportunities to feel your best and make menopause as smooth a transition as possible.
4. Laugh every chance you get. We all know that laughter is the best medicine! Seek opportunities each and every day to laugh. Laughter may not “cure” you, but it sure will make this stage of your life more fun!
5. Take time for self reflection. Menopause represents letting go of one phase of your life as you enter the next phase. It’s often during the years 45-55 that you go through menopause and statistically this also represents the middle years of your life span. It’s a good time to take stock and reflect on where you’ve been and where you’re heading, and to ask yourself what you want out of life. Self reflection, (whether by writing, reading, or talking) can also help you weather the storm that a challenging menopause can create. Often during menopause we feel out of control. Reflecting and planning for the future helps you feel better about yourself, more at peace with who you are, and helps you feel empowered so you can move along through this time of life with greater ease. Try it!
6. Pay attention to your overall health. If you haven’t been doing this all along, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and osteoporosis can be exacerbated during menopause. Pay attention to your general health. If it’s time for a checkup, seek out the appropriate health care provider and handle all of your concerns.
7. Your sex life will likely be different. You may experience a decreased interest in sex. You may also experience pain because estrogen levels decrease and the lining of the vagina begins to atrophy. Having a fulfilling sex life is a wonderful part of being a woman, so communicating with your partner is essential. You may also find it helps to talk to your health care provider.
8. Menopause has its own language. All of a sudden words like perimenopause, post menopause, estrogen, and testosterone come into play. Educate yourself and you’ll feel more empowered while going through menopause.
9. Is weight gain inevitable? It’s a question I’m asked over and over again. Women say, “I don’t eat any more than I used to and I’ve put on weight.” They’ve tried every diet out there and still they gain or can’t lose the weight they’ve gained. Proper nutrition is so important during this stage of life, as is exercise. They go hand in hand in order for you to optimize your weight and health during menopause.
10. Understand the role hormones play. You’ve been having hormonal fluctuations your entire life. Remember when you first got your period or when you were pregnant? Menopause, too, causes huge changes in your hormone levels, affecting every organ system in your body. The decrease in estrogen is the one we hear about the most. These fluctuating hormonal levels leave you feeling angry, forgetting things, crying for no apparent reason, experiencing depression, and feeling like you’re not yourself.
You are not alone. Hopefully it will be of some comfort to you to remember that all women go through menopause. It’s part of our life cycle. Read through these 10 points again, put them to good use, and have the best transition through menopause you can!
shelli
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