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Let's talk about menopause


About Joanne

An advocate for women's health, strength and knowledge, I write about the issues people don't talk about, as well as the ones they do.


Menopause, why is it still talked about in hushed tones like it's taboo? Share your stories here, as we lift the lid on everything you need to know.

It’s a natural bodily process that affects half the world’s population. Everyone is aware of it, but no one wants to speak out about it.

Let's get women talking about menopause.

Let's get women talking about menopause. Picture: Shutterstock

We know menopause signifies the end of a woman’s reproductive years. We know that menopause  sets in between the ages of 45 and 55. We know it causes mood swings, hot flushes and tiredness.

But what does menopause actually do to your body?

Have you been through the menopause, or are you going through it now? Share your advice, tips and anecdotes with other women on YsPeople.

Perimenopause is a process that begins as the ovaries start slowing down the release of oestrogen and progesterone. This usually happens in your 40s.

Read more on women's health: Would you know if you were having a heart attack? 

Your hormone levels may fluctuate during this time, which is the catalyst for all the symptoms. When these levels fall to the point where the ovaries stop releasing eggs and your periods cease altogether, menopause is considered reached. You’ll know you’ve hit this point when you’ve had no periods for 12 months.

A common misconception is that once menopause begins, your periods stop immediately.

As the body releases less hormones, your periods will become irregular for a while, before stopping altogether. Perimenopause may last anywhere from a few months to four years on average, and each woman is different, so this process could either be quick or last a while.

So how do you know if you’re going through menopause?

Symptoms

There are a wide range of symptoms you can experience:

  • Irregular periods
  • Low libido
  • Night sweats
  • Bloating
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Sleep disorders
  • Dizziness
  • Anxiety
  • Hot flashes
  • Fatigue
  • Heart palpitations
  • Irritability
  • Headaches
  • Memory loss
  • Mood swings
  • Incontinence
  • Lack of concentration
  • Hair loss
  • Itchy skin
  • Digestive problems
  • Joint pain
  • Panic disorder
  • Burning tongue
  • Osteoporosis
  • Depression
  • Tingling extremities
  • Muscle tension
  • Lack of self-esteem
  • Changes in odour
  • Allergies
  • Discomfort with sexual intercourse
  • Digestive problems
  • Breast pain and tenderness
  • The most common and widely reported symptoms are irregular periods, night sweats, hot flashes, low libido and vaginal dryness.

    If you’re unsure whether you’re heading into menopause, you can always book an appointment with your GP for a blood test.

    Post-menopausal health issues

    The “change of life” certainly creates a lot of change in your body, and as a result, the risk of developing some health issues is increased due to the drop in hormone levels.

    These include:

  • Heart disease and heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Osteoporosis
  • High blood pressure
  • Greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease
  • Poor muscle power and tone
  • Poorly working bladder and bowel
  • Weakened vision.
  • Treatment

    There are many lifestyle changes you can implement to help reduce the effect of unpleasant symptoms:

  • Adhere to a balanced and nutritious diet – eat lots of vegetables and fruits, lean meats, wholegrains and low-fat dairy
  • Exercise regularly – aim for 30-60 minutes at least three times a week
  • Quit smoking
  • Reduce alcohol consumption to no more than one standard drink per day
  • Limit intake of spicy foods and caffeine – these can disrupt sleep and trigger hot flashes
  • Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night and try to stick to a regular schedule
  • Reduce your stress and look after your mental health – conscious breathing, meditation, yoga and stretching are great for this.
  • Sex

    Menopause can drastically affect your sex life. While some women report a higher drive and enjoyment post-menopause, it’s more common to experience a decline in libido.

    Many women even find discomfort and pain with intercourse. The decrease in hormones is what causes a lower sex drive and can make vaginal tissue drier and thinner, causing pain during sex.

    There are a few things you can do to help engage interest and lessen any vaginal pain:

  • Use a water-based lubricant when you have sex and an over-the-counter vaginal moisturiser every few days
  • Don’t skip the foreplay! Allowing time to become aroused creates moisture which will help lessen discomfort
  • Increase your physical activity. Exercise can improve your mood, energy levels and body-image, which all contribute to sexual interest
  • Talk to your partner – what do you like? What feels comfortable? When do you feel relaxed?
  • Don’t be fooled though, while pregnancy is rare after 45, it is still possible to become pregnant during perimenopause. You should continue using regular contraception until you’ve had one year period-free if you’re over 50, or two years period-free if you’re under 50.

    It’s important to bear in mind that in the grand scheme of things, menopause is only a short period in your life.

    Implementing as many of the above lifestyle changes as you can will help manage a lot of the symptoms, but if you’re really struggling, your GP will be able to suggest other methods to ease the effect.

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