Menopause Taboo

Let's be Real . . . Just about every woman goes thru Menopause. And, each woman's menopause experience is different. Many of us just do not get enough information to properly prepare ourselves. Jokes aside. . . this can become an illness or a nuisance depending on your genetics.  As you age, your body gradually slows its production of estrogen. Menopause, whether natural or induced, is called premature when it  happens at age 40 or younger. This occurs in about 1% of women in the USA.  Induced menopause refers to menstrual periods which stop after surgical removal of the ovaries, chemotherapy or radiation damage to the ovaries, or from the use of other medications in the treatment of certain diseases. Women who have induced menopause experience the same symptoms of menopause, but without the gradual onset of a natural menopause. Seek out a certified menopause practitioner for help finding the many options available in regard to induced menopause. Many women experience very mild symptoms that are easily treated by lifestyle changes, and some don’t require any treatment at all. Other symptoms can be more problematic.  The most common change you might notice at midlife is the change in your period. Your periods may no longer be regular. They may be shorter or last longer. These are all normal changes, but to make sure there isn’t a problem, walk yourself into your Doctor's office and get answers!

The gradual transition between the reproductive years and menopause (the cessation of menstrual periods) is called perimenopause (literally meaning “around menopause”). It is generally a transition that is many years long and can be associated with shorter menstrual intervals.  Because the levels of hormones produced by the ovaries (estrogen and progesterone) decline slowly over time, pregnancy is still possible. So, protect yourself.  The severity and duration of symptoms vary widely among individuals:

Symptoms Include:

Changes in menstrual Cycle.
Hot Flashes & Night Sweats.
Muscle & joint Pain
Weight Gain.
Mood Swings
Vaginal Dryness & Pain during Intercourse
Insomnia or problems Sleeping
Frequent urination or urinary problems.
Decreased Libido
Vaginal Atrophy
[ More details on symptoms/treatments Here, Here & here.  Consult your Doctor for specifics!]

What is the average age of Menopause?  It is impossible to predict when menopause will occur. According to what I've read, some women who smoke have menopause earlier than others, because smoking narrows the arteries that supply blood to the ovaries.  Genes can influence the timing, too, and if your mother had early – or late – menopause, then you have an above average chance of similar timing, too.

Birth control masks menopause symptoms:-  Birth control pills are a form of hormonal contraception. In addition to preventing pregnancy, birth control pills help regulate your body’s hormone levels. As you approach menopause, your body’s natural estrogen levels will start to decrease - but the pill’s synthetic hormones can prevent your body from recognizing this decline. While all these symptoms are somewhat normal, you should not suffer thru them.  Although, some can last for months or years depending on the person. Schedule regular appointments with your Doctor so they can monitor your health and answer any questions you may have about menopause.

It is not the end of life in the bedroom either. Sexual desire decreases with age in both sexes, and low desire is common in women in their 40s and 50s, but not universal.  Some of us are sexier in our senior years than our thirties. So, if lack of interest is related to discomfort with intercourse, estrogen may help. What’s important to remember is, there is a full range of psychological, cultural, personal, interpersonal and biological factors that can contribute to declining sexual interest. And, you should talk to your healthcare provider. A clinical evaluation can identify any underlying medical or psychological causes of low sexual desire, which then can be treated as appropriate.  Bring your sexy back and Get Yours.

** Thanks for Visiting. This post is FYE.  I am not a Medical Practitioner, Physician or Counselor and not giving any advice. I'm just a woman on this life journey.  If  you like it, please leave a comment & Share, Share, Share. Don’t forget to follow me on Bloglovin  for new post updates, and on Pinterest. **