“There is no greater power in the world than the enthusiasm of a postmenopausal woman.” This quote from anthropologist and writer Margaret Mead reflects just how empowering menopause can be for women. It is a universal experience of entering the next chapter of life shared by all women throughout history. However, society too often focuses on the difficulties of menopause, rather than focusing on it as a milestone that brings a new phase of confidence and leadership in many cultures around the world.
The result is the persistence of many myths and misconceptions about menopause, leading women and the people around them to take on the task of separating fact from fiction to understand this life transition. Here are five of the most persistent myths surrounding menopause, with facts to see the real version.
Myth No. 1: Menopause begins when a woman stops having her menstrual period
Menopause is the permanent end of menstrual periods and, therefore, of fertility. Menopause is diagnosed when a woman has not had menstrual periods for a year. Many of the symptoms people often associate with menopause actually occur during perimenopause (also called menopausal transition), which refers to several years before and one year after the last menstrual period. The number of perimenopausal years preceding the last menstrual period varies greatly. During perimenopause, estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate widely. These fluctuations are thought to cause the menopausal symptoms that many women experience in their fourth decade of life. After the menopausal transition, which lasts four years on average, women enter the postmenopausal phase, which refers to the time after the last menstrual period.
In the United States, the average age of menopause is about 50 to 51 years old. However, it is not unusual for menopause to occur in women aged 45 or 55 and older. Menopause is considered premature when it occurs before age 40. Premature menopause is also called premature ovarian failure or primary ovarian failure.
Myth No. 2: Hot flashes are the only symptom of menopause
Most symptoms occur during perimenopause and in the early postmenopausal phases, and about 75% of women experience hot flashes; Some women like to refer to them as “energy overload.” During a hot flash, the brain’s temperature-regulating center does not function properly, causing blood vessels near the skin’s surface to dilate, increasing blood flow. The result is that women will be hot, and they may sweat a lot. Another common symptom is difficulty sleeping, which can occur when a hot flash causes women to wake up during the night. Women can also experience sleep problems even when they don’t have a hot flash. Other symptoms include mood changes or feelings of forgetfulness. For many women, it can be helpful to look at the experiences their mother and sisters had to better understand what to expect as they approach perimenopause. Some women may notice vaginal dryness or pain during sex.
Myth No. 3: Menopause causes decreased sex drive
Many women experience a decrease in libido as they age, but it is complex to define what a normal sexual desire is and what factors have the greatest impact on sexual desire. The research has not provided definitive conclusions about whether age or hormonal changes are the most important contributors. In addition, other symptoms of menopause, such as mood swings, sleep disturbances, or vaginal dryness, can affect sexual function. For many women, when these problems are treated, sexual function also improves.
Myth No. 4: Can’t be treated
Despite how it is usually described or commented, menopause is not a disease, but a natural process. However, there are steps women can take to alleviate some of the symptoms of menopause, starting with maintaining healthy sleep practices, adapting clothing and room temperature to stay cooler, and managing stress. In addition to lifestyle changes, there are non-hormonal therapies and temperature-lowering devices that can help. For vaginal dryness, lubricants and vaginal moisturizers are very helpful. Medications can also provide relief for common menopausal symptoms. Hormone therapy can be an effective way to treat symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, if non-hormonal methods have not been successful.
As women approach age 45 or begin to experience menstrual irregularities or menopausal symptoms, it’s important to have a conversation with a healthcare professional about what to expect and how to treat symptoms. Primary care doctors and gynecologists with knowledge about menopause are the best place to start. If symptoms are severe and difficult to treat, or if there are other medical concerns such as diabetes, a family history of breast cancer, or migraine headaches, a woman may need a doctor who specializes in menopause.
Myth No. 5: It has no benefits
As Margaret Mead points out, postmenopausal living has important advantages. Many women feel liberated by not having to think about pregnancy prevention and the end of menstrual periods. Many women also find that premenstrual symptoms such as bloating, migraine headaches, and premenstrual mood changes are significantly reduced once they reach postmenopause.
