Staying Positive Through The Menopause!

16th, Oct 2020

World Menopause Day aims to raise awareness around the natural stage of a woman’s life when her hormone levels decline and periods cease.

As women, we will all go through it, and it’s a hot topic we should be speaking more about!

"Peri-menopause and menopause should be treated as the rites of passage that they are. If not celebrated, then at least accepted and acknowledged and honoured." Gillian Anderson - Actress

"I will not be able to have any more children, and I expect some physical changes. But I feel at ease with whatever will come, not because I am strong but because this is a part of life. It is nothing to be feared." Angelina Jolie - Actress

So, what are the symptoms of Menopause?

The menopause normally occurs between 45 to 55, however in around 1% of women in the UK, this can happen before the age of 40. This is called the menopausal transition, or perimenopause.

Symptoms include:

Hot flushes
Anxiety
Night sweats,
Reduced sex drive
Low moods
Poor concentration and memory
Vaginal dryness

Although the menopause transition can be a difficult experiences to go through, there are plenty of reasons to stay positive and plenty of things you can do to help make the transition a little easier. These include:

Practising mindfulness by watching your thoughts daily and incorporating relaxation techniques into your day.
Making time for yourself and paying attention to what your body is telling you.
Staying connected with family and friends.
Maintaining a good sleeping pattern.
Exercising regularly to release endorphins.
Pursuing new hobbies.
Making those dietary changes you’ve been meaning to implement and enjoying a healthy nutritious diet.

And lastly don’t forget to laugh! Laughter brings us closer to people, moves us into more positive mind-sets, can stimulate our immune system, enhance our learning and memory, and help us cope better with the stressors in our lives. Laughter is a great menopause help.

What treatments are available?

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about menopause and the treatment options available, however it is vital women are given accurate information to help them make an informed choice as to how best to manage their symptoms and improve their general health and wellbeing.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

HRT is a treatment which replaces hormones that are at a lower level as you approach the menopause. It provides symptom relief alongside heart and bone protection and aims to outweigh menopausal symptoms helping you get back on track and feeling like your normal self. Woman under the age of 40 are also recommended to take HRT even if asymptomatic for heart and bone protection.

Speak to a GP if you're interested in starting HRT. There are a range of HRT options available to suit you!

You can usually begin HRT as soon as you start experiencing menopausal symptoms.

There is a small risk of breast cancer with some HRT preparations however the risk is lower than being overweight or drinking alcohol regularly. For the majority of women, the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks.

For further information on our Women’s Health services, please click here

Sources:
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/celebrity-women-menopause-quotes_uk_
https://kingsbridgeprivatehospital.com/Blog/Menopause,-A-Hot-Topic!
https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/make-your-menopause-a-positive-experience