Top ten Myths of Menopause
Menopause is inevitable. No woman on planet earth is invincible to entering this phase of her life. So instead of plotting an escape route past menopause, let’s dig into exactly what we are fearing. And trust me when I tell you, you are not alone in this change.
More than half of the world is trying to stay afloat in the same menopause boat as you. So before you go bonkers over what you think will happen, lets review a list of menopause myths that I am sure will ease the minds of many who are rapidly approaching this phase.
Myth #10: Mothers and Daughters and similar in more ways than one
Your family genes can be a good (or bad) sign of when you may start seeing signs of menopause. If your mother and grandmother didn’t start experiencing menopause till they were 60, well congratulations, because you will most likely follow suit. Also, the age you got your first period could be noteworthy. If you started young, you may not hit menopause till later, pending you don’t smoke. Which leads me to the next menopause myth.
Myth #9: Smokers beware
Your mother may not have hit menopause till she was 60, which is good for you, but if you smoke, you are digging yourself an early menopause grave. Unfortunately, smokers are more likely to start seeing signs of menopause earlier to some extent. If you are younger than middle age, you might want to consider dropping the habit. If not in fear of menopause, at least for your own health!
Myth #8 – Say goodbye to your sex life
False. Unless you are not interested in the idea of sex, this myth proves untrue. It is actually just the opposite for a lot of women. Although women go through a lot of hormonal changes that can sway there emotions, sex is more liberating than ever before because women no longer fear the possibility of pregnancy.
Myth #7 - “Menopause caused me to slip into depression”
Menopause doesn’t create depression, you do. The faster you come to terms with the idea of growing old, the better off you are. Some women experience “empty nest” syndrome. Some get frustrated with all the vitamins you have to start taking, and your metabolism hits an all time low.
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Samara,
I've got to take issue with your Myth #7 - “Menopause caused me to slip into depression.” You write as though depression is simply something that is caused by and can be prevented by will or emotion when, in fact, the shift in hormonal balance in perimenopause can cause a depression before a woman even knows she's IN perimenopause. Yes, embracing all stages of life is vital, but mental health is affected by chemical and hormonal imbalances that often need attention from medical health professionals. Therapy and/or medication can help immensely.
Here is the Cleveland Clinic's page on perimenopause, menopause and depression:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/Menopause/hic_Perimenopause_Meno...
Here's an American Psychiatric Association article on how Perimenopausal Depression is often overlooked or undertreated:
http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/41/10/32
A USA Today report on a 2004 landmark APA study of 591 women and how often they developed depression in perimenopause:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-05-05-perimenopause-usat_x.htm
Women suffering from a depression would love to feel better. Depression isn't a choice, it's a condition with biological and chemical factors. You are right when you say that healthful eating, exercise and a chaos-free home can all help with a depression. But for many, even those activities are too much at first. And diminishing the very real causes of depression in your article won't help them take that first step.
September 15, 2009 - 8:56amThis Comment