Loads of myths surrounding menopause are doing rounds in the society. For example the myths about the age of the woman, the hormones, depression etc etc. Mentioned below are some of the common myths associated with menopause.
Menopause starts at around 50 years of age.The most common myth associated with menopause is that it starts only when a women approaches the age of 50 years. Also, medication is very important for treating the uncomfortable symptoms which accompany menopause. But, the fact is that there is no such thing like average age for beginning menopause. Some doctors and practitioners claim that 48 to 55 years is the age range within which menopause occurs. However, studies have also shown that this range can even stretch from the age of 40 to 60 years. Also, it is not necessary to undergo a course of medication for treating this condition. In fact, some women don’t even experience any of the symptoms associated with menopause.Depression is common in women going through menopause.As far as depression is concerned, women are at an increased risk of experiencing it when compared to men, but it has nothing to do with menopause. Although, some studies have shown that there may be a possible link between hormonal changes and some of the symptoms associated with depression such as mood swings. But, these symptoms are nothing in comparison to true psychological stress. Another popular misconception linked with menopause is that it causes a women to become angry and cranky. This opinion cannot be claimed to be completely false. The hormonal changes that affect the brain and cause mood swings can also affect the anger triggering part of the brain. However, you need to understand that all these mood swings are just temporary and are not going to last forever. In fact, some women may not face any such mood swings at all.Most women need to take hormone replacement therapy after menopause.
In the 1960s, when hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was first introduced, it was thought that it could be a cure for all menopausal symptoms. Premarin, which is an estrogen replacement drug, became the most widely prescribed drug in the US in the 1990s. However, hormone replacement therapy is not compulsory for every women, especially because some researches have shown that HRT can increase the risk of stroke, blood clots, breast cancer and heart diseases for some women.
In fact, the potential side effects of hormone replacement therapy has made doctors take extra precautions before prescribing it to any patient. Even when this therapy is prescribed, it is recommended to have the smallest dose possible for the shortest amount of time. Consult your doctor about alternative medications to relieve menopause symptoms, especially when you are already at high risk for the medical conditions which can be triggered by hormone replacement therapy.
Women gain a lot of weight after menopause begins.Menopause is associated with weight gain because many women between the ages 35 and 55 years gain weight. Also, some studies have shown that middle aged women who are in their menopausal stage gain more weight. However, women of the same age who were still in their pre-menopausal stage also show the tendency to gain weight. There are several factors which contribute to weight gain in the middle years, menopause can not alone be held responsible for this. You can prevent weight gain during the middle years if you follow a good exercise routine and watch your diet.Women stop having sex with the onset of menopause.This one is certainly the most popular myths of all time. Most people are of the opinion that women lack interest in sex after menopause begins. But the fact is that sex can actually be more fulfilling and better after menopause because then you don’t have to worry about getting pregnant. In fact, some of the women also said that they gained greater level of self confidence and a better mental outlook which came with maturity. You cannot blame menopause for lack of interest or lesser enjoyment in sex. The latter might be a side effect of any medications you may be taking or some other chronic illness. One of the symptoms of menopause is vaginal dryness which can lead to the lack of sexual desire, but overcoming it is not a big issue. Look for lubrication aids which can make intimate contact more comfortable if vaginal dryness is keeping you away from sex. You can find a number of vaginal creams in the market which are very effective in soothing the dryness. Other than these vaginal creams, vitamin E pills can also do the trick.You can get pregnant even after menopause.This can be considered to be true only during the beginning stages of menopause i.e., you can get pregnant when you’re still having an occasional period. You must consult with your gynecologist for the right birth control measures during this stage. Your menopausal stage will be over once 12 consecutive months have passed without a menstrual period. You don’t have to worry about getting pregnant anymore after menopause. The cases which you may have heard that fueled this rumor must be certainly related to the beginning stages of menopause.All women experience unpleasant symptoms during menopause.Symptoms like night sweats, hot flashes and mood swings are very common and most women experiences them, but how these symptoms affect every women is a different matter. Also, it is not essential that each women must experience these symptoms. These symptoms can be disturbing for some of them, for some, the symptoms may be mild and some won’t experience anything at all. For those who don’t experience any of the normally associated symptoms, the only obvious symptom is the absence of regular periods.