Myths of Menopause
Myths surround menopause on pretty much every level. From what age it begins, to what a horrible life event it is, there are no shortage of myths surrounding the physical, emotional, hormonal, and mental changes women go through in our middle years as menopause starts to happen.
[tweetthis]Menopause myths abound. Here’s the truth about menopause. Part 2 of series. [/tweetthis]
The Myths and the Facts of Menopause
It seems that every woman you talk to has a story about what to expect when menopause hits. You’ll feel horrible. You won’t feel bad at all. It starts in your 50s. It starts sooner. You’ll gain a lot of weight, or you won’t. I remember my own mother going through menopause and I also recall the myths even back then. I especially recall the ones about hot flashes. The scuttlebutt even then was that everyone knew someone whose hot flashes were so extreme that they remembered the day she couldn’t handle them anymore and she ran outside with summer clothing on when it was snowing, essentially hurling herself into a snowbank just to cool off. I’ve had some hot flashes and I have never done that. For those of you who recall and who have been here for a while reading this blog, you know that I had a hysterectomy in my 30s because of cysts and Crohn’s and scar tissue. Anyways, the myths abound. Let’s cut through some of the baloney and get to the truth.
[tweetthis]Pretty much every woman you talk to has a story about menopause. Here’s some factual info for you instead. [/tweetthis]
Here’s some menopausal truth for all of us.
Menopause Begins in Your 50’s
While the average woman rolls into menopause at around 52, women can being the transition to menopause as early as their 30’s to as late as their 60’s. I say transition because technically, menopause is simply a 12 month period with no menstrual cycle. Women can feel symptoms while still having periods. In fact, the period known as perimenopause can last from a few months to upwards of 13 years before true menopause occurs.
MYTH: Your Weight Will Balloon During Menopause
One of the biggest menopause myths isn’t a myth per se, but it doesn’t have to be your reality. Women do become more prone to weight gain during perimenopause and menopause due to hormonal imbalances as our bodies move out of their childbearing years.
It’s actually the body’s way of helping regulate hormones. Fat helps to produce more estrogen, which helps a woman’s body level out its hormones. However, estrogen also helps to store fat. It’s a vicious cycle, but with a minor reduction in calories and increase in physical activity, it can be controlled. During menopause and after retirement my Mom developed a regular fitness routine heading to the gym three times a week. Her routine was much better than it ever was during her 30s or 40s when she worked and single parented two children. I know she was physically her healthiest after menopause. She put me to shame and she stayed fit and active. She never gained weight only muscle. I hope to follow that pattern and am trying hard to do this as well.
Myth: Menopause is Menopause
One of the myths I’ve heard off and on over the years is that menopause due to total or partial hysterectomies is just like regular menopause only faster. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The difference between natural menopause and surgically induced menopause is like the difference between walking down a flight of stairs and jumping down the stair well. There is no adjustment period for the body. It’s literally an overnight jump directly into menopause with any of the bodies months or years of natural preparation. I had surgically induced menopause in my 30s. I controlled some symptoms with hormones, exercise etc. If you want to learn more about controlling symptoms of menopause you can read this article about menopause.
Hot Flashes Are the First Sign of Menopause
Not true. By the time you’re having hot flashes, you’re more than likely well into perimenopause. The actual first signs of menopause are fatigue, irregular periods, irritability, mood swings, depression, weight gain, hair loss, forgetfulness, fuzzy thinking, and low libido.
[tweetthis]The actual first signs of menopause are fatigue, irregular periods, irritability, mood swings, depression, weight gain, hair loss, forgetfulness, fuzzy thinking, and low libido.[/tweetthis]
Myths of Menopause Exposed
I know it sounds a little like a tabloid title, but that’s basically what this article was all about. There is no end to the amount of misinformation and myths surrounding menopause, and this article only covers some of those that I have heard over the years.
Perimenopause and menopause are major changes in our lives, but they don’t have to be scary. In fact, when you get beyond the myths, menopause isn’t so scary. It’s a naturally occurring phenomenon that should be dealt with and acknowledged in the same manner we handle getting our periods. Your body changes. Women are strong and we can handle the changes that are happening with awareness and education. Menopause can be just another phase in your life.
See Part 1 of the series here: Perimenopause.
Stay tuned for Part 3. The final part of this series.
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20 Comments
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
These are good to know. I am not quite there yet, but I know I will go through the change someday!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
This was such a great read. I learned so much from this article. I had no idea that menopause was just a time period free of a cycle.
Dogvills
I used to be scared about this when I was younger. But when I started feeling the signs, I realized, they are not so bad after all. This is great information.
Jeanette
I am hoping I am not close to menopause but I am gaining weight for no good reason. I am going to the exercising more and watching what I eat better just like you advise here and I hope that will help.
Sarah Bailey
This is really interesting, it is good to know the true facts about things otherwise we just believe the myths. x
Rose Cottrill
I am 42 now and I am experiencing irregular period. I am not sure if that is a menopausal sign or what?
Paula
It could be. I’d check with your doctor actually. 42 seems early and you wouldn’t want to miss something else that might be causing an irregular cycle.
Liz Mays
This is an awesome post. I wish information about menopause was more consistent. Misinformation is really unhelpful when you’re trying to prepare yourself.
alexandria
This was interesting to read. I obviously dont know that much about menopause. My mom is 55 and still hasnt gone through it.
Mary from YourDesignerDog
There is definitely a lot of misinformation on this subject. Your post series is great about getting to the real facts. Thanks for sharing some great information.
lisa
This is great information. There are a ton of myths that have been around forever regarding menopause. It’s nice to know the real facts!
Ann Bacciaglia
I have learned so much about Menopause with your posts. I did not realize that hot flashes could start so young.
Kathy
It’s great to hear about all these myths. I’m not ready for menopause at all! I think my mother was going through this last year. I’m 27 right now, so hopefully I won’t have to go through this for a while yet. I’ll be ready when it does come though.
Crystal Lopez
These are times that no woman looks forward to at all…or at least I am not. Greats facts and myths!
Tiffany Snedaker
There are a lot of things I had no idea about when it comes to menopause, especially the first signs. You just always hear about women having hot flashes and knowing they are into menopause and I thought that was one of the first signs. Very informative!
Anne
Thank you so much for shedding light on this subject. I am only in my mid-30’s but i still have heard so much about it. Thanks for the insightful post
Bonnie @wemake7
Thanks for sharing this series. My mom started menopause in her late 30’s and I hope I don’t follow suit!
Tiffany
Thank you for this! I turn 30 this month, but I have PCOS so I’m always concerned about menopause and other issues of the sort.
Terri Beavers
I’m going through menopause right now. I didn’t realize that’s what was wrong with my until the hotflashes started. I had an emergency hysterectomy in my 30’s so I haven’t had a visit from Aunt Flo since then but they kept my ovaries so I’d go through menopause later in life. Later is here.
Chelsea L.
Sadly i heard a lot of complains from the people I know about the nightmare of menopause stage. By reading this article it kinda enlighten my mind that you don’t have to worry so much about it. As long as you enjoy your youthful days and you maintain your healthy lifestyle we all should be facing this stage with flying colors.