Sharing the Top Five Menopause Myths
Sharing the Top Five Menopause Myths
During a recent workshop at Woodloch Lodge for Women's Wellness Week, we dispelled a lot of misinformation.
A chorus of “really??”
A surprised exclamation of “I never knew that!!”
An echo of “That’s really eye-opening.”
These came from the women who recently attended two workshops on menopause that I tag-teamed with Anne Fulenwider at the beautiful and tranquil Lodge at Woodloch.
Anne and I first “met”(virtually) when she hired me to write for her fantastic website, Alloy Women’s Health. (Among offering menopause-trained docs to help you with the annoying symptoms of menopause, it also provides so much helpful info about other things, like disrupted sleep, low libido, weight gain…and the list goes on.)
And since I love educating women on what can often be a consistently confusing time of life mired in misinformation, you can imagine how happy I was with the assignments. (Not to mention I knew I was in great hands; Anne is the former editor-in-chief of Marie Claire Magazine.)
Two years and many articles later, Anne and I decided to collaborate in person (imagine that! IRL!!) and lead two workshops on menopause at The Lodge at Woodloch during Women’s Wellness Week.
Here’s a brief synopsis of what made women sigh and celebrate, feel motivated, informed and empowered:
Menopause Myth #1: I’m not getting hot flashes; therefore, it can’t be menopause.
Menopause Truth: Yes, hot flashes are the hallmark symptoms of menopause, and up to 80% of women will get them. BUT…there are those who do go through menopause with nary a hot flash. There are actually about 34 symptoms of menopause; some as unusual as a metallic taste in your mouth, brain fog, joint pain, dizziness, and heart palpitations. So, if you’re not getting hot flashes, chances are you are getting something else.
Menopause Myth #2: I’m only in my 40s; too young to go through menopause.
Menopause Truth: While the average age of menopause is 51, there are women whose ovaries stop producing hormones and experience it prematurely (before age 40) or early (before age 45), either naturally, surgically, as a result of chemotherapy or radiation, or due to a family history of menopause before age 11.
Menopause Myth #3: Hormone therapy is dangerous.
Menopause Truth: Hormone therapy was once the gold standard for treating menopause. That is until a 2002 study known as the Women’s Health Initiative reported an increase in breast cancer. Women and their doctors panicked, tossing their hormones in droves. But to make a very long story short, the study was severely flawed.
Fast forward to today. There is strong evidence for the safety and effectiveness for hormone therapy (HT) for healthy women with moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats, genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), and bone loss and fracture prevention. Postmenopausal symptoms that can be treated with MHT include hot flashes and night sweats), sleep disturbances, and sexual dysfunction. Also, hormone therapy may improve bone health among women after menopause, especially those with osteopenia or an elevated risk of fracture.
Menopause Myth #4: I should stick w/my regular gynecologist as I’m going through menopause.
Menopause Truth: Menopause is very low on the educational priority list. Typically, medical schools do not focus – or spend any time at all – on menopause, giving most obstetric and gynecology residents scant knowledge. (Crazy, right?? This makes me nuts, especially considering that nearly 90 million US. women will be postmenopausal by 2060.) Given this, it may be in your best interest to seek out a gynecologist whose focus is on menopause, or at least who offers menopause guidance to his or her patients.
Menopause Myth #5: Weight gain is inevitable during menopause, and I am doomed to get fat. Might as well give in.
Menopause Truth: The hormonal changes of menopause do tend to make it more likely that you will gain weight around your middle, rather than your hips and thighs. But hormonal changes alone don't necessarily cause weight gain. Instead, it's also related to aging, lifestyle, and genetic factors.
For example, muscle mass typically declines with age, while fat increases. Losing muscle mass slows the rate at which your body burns calories (metabolism). This process can make it more difficult to stay at a healthy weight. (One excellent reason to incorporate weight and resistance training into your fitness routine!)
Genetic factors can also play a role in weight gain around menopause; if your mother or other close relative carries extra weight around their abdomen, you might, too.
Keep this in mind…it’s true and important: If you continue to eat as you always have and don't do more physical activity, you're more likely to gain weight.
For a Pause…
Denise Austin looks pretty awesome, don’t you agree? Here, she shares some helpful tips on tackling the dreaded menopot.
Before menopause, there is PERIMENOPAUSE. What, you thought you woke up one day and that was it? Nope. Perimenopause is the lead-up to the big day (when you are officially in menopause; (when you are without a period for 12 consecutive months.)
What’s happening to your skin during menopause? One look in the mirror will tell you it’s changing.
If you want to cover up and still look stylish,
try a caftan. I’ve become a big fan; they keep you cool and they can look rather elegant.