It is estimated that 46 million women in the United States are currently peri or menopausal (1). So, you are not alone if you have or have had insomnia or fatigue, hot flashes and night sweats, pain during sex, dry skin, anxiety or depression, brain fog, joint pain, weight gain, irritability, or abdominal pain. These varied and intrusive symptoms are all a natural part of menopause for 85% of women (2).
This biologically natural but tumultuous transition leading up to a woman’s last period is perimenopause. It lasts, on average, four years but can continue as long as thirty, and typically starts when women reach their mid to late 40s. Menopause begins one year after a woman’s final menstrual period, which can be hard to pin down for many women with some going for months or years without a period, only to have it return, unexpectedly, sometimes much heavier, or lighter than before. Try to be patient with yourself and your remarkable body because you are in a temporary state of adjustment, even reinvention.
The symptoms of menopause affect every aspect of women’s lives: our ability to sleep or play, work, or listen to our loved ones or colleagues with any hope of emotional intelligence. In the workforce, people experiencing menopause are the fastest growing demographic (3). Despite this, many women don’t want to disclose issues related to menopause to their manager, particularly if the manager is younger than them, male, or both (4). During this difficult and confusing transition, women can lose confidence, take early retirement and even quit their jobs. A recent study found that 1 out of 10 women has left or is planning on leaving their job due to menopause symptoms (5). Yet, despite the prevalence of this wellness crisis, 73% of women don’t treat their menopause symptoms (6).
Why? Women say they’re ashamed and worry they’ll be belittled. And it’s no small wonder, because less than one in five obstetrics and gynecology residents report receiving any formal training on how best to help women cope with menopausal symptoms (7). Our doctors and gynecologists consistently tell us that the sufferings of menopause are a natural part of aging. What this really reflects is the research that shines a spotlight on our cultures high tolerance for women’s suffering. It’s simply not regarded as important. Menopause should represent a time when women feel maximum control of our bodies. And yet for many women, menopause presents not only a new stage of life but also a new state of confusion. At a time when we could be coasting in neutral, we have to learn our bodies all over again, becoming medical detectives in charge of solving problems that very few people are equipped to talk about. The distressing symptoms of Menopause may be natural, but they are not necessary; and they do not have to be endured.
We at Respect Wellness are here to talk about menopause, offer Menopause relief and support, and share our own stories of Menopause anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, night sweats and brain fog.
Sources
1. https://menopause-info.org/articles/statistics-menopausal/
3. https://www.miracare.com/menopause/
4. https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/TUC_menopause_0.pdf
5. https://www.miracare.com/menopause
6. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0011/8590/6751/files/Bonafide_State_of_Menopause.pdf?v=1624280664
