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3 Reasons Why Menopause Should Be Openly Discussed: A New Perspective on a Taboo Topic

3 Reasons Why Menopause Should Be Openly Discussed: A New Perspective on a Taboo Topic
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MedHealth 360 Editorial

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There’s a big taboo around the topic of menopause. It’s often seen as a dirty word that women should be ashamed of. But why? After all, menopause is a natural process occurring in every woman. On the contrary, there are many reasons why we should be openly discussing menopause, and this article will bring to light the three reasons why menopause shouldn’t be left in the shadows of taboo or shame!

What is Menopause?

As we get started, let’s first define what menopause is in order to give some context to this blog post. The Webster dictionary definition of the word ‘menopause’ is “the time of a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop permanently; the end of the reproductive period.”

This natural step in any woman’s life comes with certain health risks, such as an increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, which often remain undisclosed due to the taboo nature of the subject. However, the more these risks remain secret, the bigger the chances of them turning into reality, which is why women need to discuss these risks with their healthcare providers.

What are the Signs of Menopause and What Causes It?

As mentioned before, hormonal changes are responsible for most menopausal symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. These changes can occur gradually or suddenly and last for a few years or even decades.

Some women also experience other symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, joint pain, and weight gain. And while these symptoms can be frustrating and uncomfortable, there are treatments available to help manage each one, one of the most helpful treatments being hormone replacement therapy!

When Does Menopause Happen?

Menopause is an important life stage in any woman’s life, marking the moment when a woman’s menstrual periods permanently stop. It usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55 but can happen earlier or later. Amanda Lewis, a famous case of premature menopause in the UK, went through the transition as young as 13!

Why Do We Need to Talk about Menopause?

Menopause is a natural occurrence for every woman, which is why we should be able to talk about it comfortably. It can often be a difficult transition period for women, which is why opening a dialogue creates a conducive environment for women to navigate themselves comfortably during this pivotal moment in their lives. Here are three reasons to discuss menopause more openly:

1: Menopause and the Workplace

One reason we should discuss menopause more openly is that it can impact the workplace. For example, hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause, and they can occur at any time, day or night. They can make working in a hot environment very difficult and interfere with concentration and focus.

Furthermore, the mood swings associated with menopause can make a woman feel on edge. For that reason, having an open conversation about the challenges of experiencing menopause in the workplace can bring understanding and support at a time when women need it most.

Here are a few facts surrounding menopause and the workforce:

  • The workforce is becoming increasingly female, so as this demographic ages, more and more women experience menopause while at the height of their careers. In fact, according to a study, 8 out of 10 women going through menopause are employed.
  • 3 out of 4 women experience symptoms, and 1 in 4 often experience serious symptoms.
  • Not listening to women or providing healthcare support for them when they need it most can open legal concerns for companies and impact their core workforce.

Creating a healthy work environment means raising awareness around help and support for women going through menopause. Having a menopause support program as part of a corporate wellness initiative is a fantastic idea for any company to entertain!

2: Menopausal Women Need Community Too

Another reason we should discuss menopause more openly is that it can be a very isolating time. You might not feel like you can relate to your friends and family who haven’t gone through menopause yet, so you might feel like no one understands what you’re going through. This feeling of isolation can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety, already common symptoms of menopause.

That’s why building a community of women who go through or have gone through menopause is imperative! Such a community can provide support, understanding, and friendship during a time when you might need it the most. At a corporate level, companies can include talks around menopause as part of their corporate wellness offerings and generally encourage in-person and virtual support groups where women can share their feelings.

One open practicum encouraged women to wrestle with the following questions and share what has helped them on their journey. We think these questions are great places to start in building your own menopausal women support groups:

  • What helps you?
  • What hinders you?
  • What could we do to support you?
  • What one thing could your company and community do for you that would make a positive difference?
  • How can you feel empowered in your work and community even when you don’t feel like facing a new day?

3: How to Navigate Yourself Through Menopause

Last but not least, another reason we should discuss menopause more openly is so that women can learn how to navigate themselves through this time. Just like any other time in our lives, there will be good days and bad days, but it’s important to remember that menopause is a natural process every woman goes through.

There are different treatments for menopause. Some people might take medication to help with the symptoms. Others might change their diet or try to exercise more. Some people might use natural treatments like acupuncture and herbs. Thanks to advancements in medical science, many options are available today to help with menopausal symptoms. However, the most cutting-edge solution that science now offers today is hormonal replacement therapy, commonly known as HRT.

Here at MedHealth 360, we see almost miraculous results for women dealing with menopausal hormone imbalances!

How Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Help during Menopause?

Hormone replacement therapy introduces estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progesterone into the body to help alleviate menopausal symptoms.

A recent study shows that HRT can also help improve brain function during menopause. The study found that women who took HRT had better verbal memory, processing speed, and executive function than women who did not take HRT.

HRT can also help with hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and other menopausal symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we encourage you to talk to your doctor about HRT as a possible treatment option.

Talk to MedHealth 360 About Your Personalized Treatment!

If you are looking for a qualified and experienced hormone therapy provider, look no further than MedHealth 360! We offer a wide range of hormone therapy treatments, including bioidentical progesterone replacement therapy.

Our team of experts, led by Board-Certified Dr. Phillip Chang, is dedicated to helping you achieve your health goals. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you feel your best! Our blog is also here to provide you with information about various health topics, and we invite you to check back often for new posts.

We offer complimentary consultations at our MedHealth360 wellness clinic in Leesburg, VA, and would be happy to help you navigate the challenges of both male and female menopause. Call 7037295553 or open a live chat with us on our website to get started today!

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