Menopause Myths Hitting Me Like a Slap in the Face

This week the stigma of menopause hit me like a slap in the face. A good friend shared her recent experiences, and I suggested that some of her symptoms could be peri-menopause. I was stunned when she responded with apparent anxiety, lamenting, "Not yet, not yet." Another friend, a male ob/gyn, also expressed fear when I hinted that his wife might be experiencing peri-menopause, saying, "It's too early. It's not time. Please, not yet." What the heck do you mean by "not yet?" What's so freaking scary and terrible? It's not like she's dying or becoming sexless or worthless.

It's shocking to hear that even today, the stigma surrounding menopause is still strong and pervasive. Many women feel fear and shame when discussing the topic, and this can prevent them from seeking the help and support they need. In this post, we'll debunk the top 5 myths of menopause so that women can face this transitional time educated and empowered.

Myth #1: Menopause is a Sign of Aging and Irrelevance

One of the biggest myths surrounding menopause is that it signifies aging and irrelevance. Menopause isn't a judgment, and it certainly isn't a sign of irrelevance. It is simply a natural process that impacts all women (if we are lucky enough to get that age) that marks the end of menstruation and fertility. Menopause is often portrayed negatively, but the truth is that it can be a positive experience for many women. It's a time when we can reflect on our lives, embrace new opportunities, and feel empowered by our strength and resilience. Menopause doesn't have to be a negative experience – it can be a time of growth and self-discovery. For once, we can stop worrying about and being judged on our fertility and focus on what is important to us.

Myth #2: Menopause is the End of Sex

Many women (and men!) believe menopause means the end of their sex life, but this is far from the truth. Many women experience a re-igniting of their libido as they reclaim their identities and liberate themselves from periods and birth control. For some women, though, hormonal changes can lower your sex drive and/or cause vaginal dryness and discomfort, although many treatments are available to alleviate these symptoms. You can talk with your doctor about prescription medications to help make sex more comfortable. There are many modalities to help us maintain healthy, vigorous sex lives as we age. Let's not automatically subscribe to society's misinformed judgment that midlife women are sexless and ragged.

Myth #3: Menopause is a Medical Condition

Menopause is often thought of as a medical condition that needs to be treated. While some women may benefit from hormone therapy or other treatments, menopause is not a disease. It's simply a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. This is a time that we can focus on becoming the healthiest we can be to try to decrease some of the health risks that come with menopause - namely cardiovascular disease and dementia/Alzheimer's.

Myth #4: Menopause is the Same for Every Woman

Just like every woman's menstrual cycle is unique, every woman's experience with menopause is also unique. Some women may experience severe hot flashes and other physical signs, while others may have little to no symptoms. It's important for women to listen to their bodies and seek help if they're experiencing discomfort or distress. By creating a community, we can start talking about our symptoms and normalizing these changes. We can gain tips and tricks, and hacks from each other. We can also learn which doctors and providers in the area are most comfortable treating menopausal and peri-menopausal women.

Myth 5: Only Severe Menopause Symptoms Require Treatment

There are no menopause police out there that say how severe your symptoms must be before you can receive treatment. Treating even mild or moderate menopause symptoms can be life-changing. Seeking advice from a menopause practitioner, even understanding the changes happening in your body, can be wise. For most women, hormone therapy can be safe and effective, including prescription pills or patches, progesterone with estrogen for women with a uterus, and low-dose vaginal estrogen. If you're within 10 years of menopause and healthy and don't have any contraindications for hormone therapy, such as having a history of a blood clot, stroke, or a known or suspected history of breast cancer, the benefits of hormone therapy will very likely outweigh the risks for women with menopause symptoms.

Menopause is a natural and normal process that every woman will experience in her own way. Women should feel empowered to discuss menopause openly and seek the help and support they need to navigate this transitional time. By debunking these common myths, we can start to understand and embrace menopause for what it really is – a new chapter in our lives filled with opportunities for growth and self-discovery.