Menopause

Although most women will experience the menopause at some point, this does not mean that it is necessarily easy.
 
The added challenges of peri-menopause (when the ovaries gradually begin to make less oestrogen) and early menopause (between the ages of 41-45) are very often under-estimated and the loss of fertility can be devastating if a woman had planned to have children and menopause occurs before they were able.
 
Symptoms – and the impact of these- can vary greatly between people with many experiencing debilitating symptoms, whilst others seem to sail through with little or not issue.
 
This sometimes rather brutal reminder of ageing can be a difficult time, and it is not always easy to talk about with anybody.
 
There are many different symptoms, too many to list here, but these are a few of the most commonly experienced:

• Hot flushes
• Night sweats
• Difficulty sleeping
• Low mood or anxiety
• Memory and concentration difficulties
• Dis-ordered eating

 
Menopause can bring about emotional symptoms as well as physical; and anxiety and depression are two that are commonly felt. Although most women will probably know to expect menopause, nevertheless it can still upset the balance of life. Menopause is commonly known as “the change” and is arguably one of the most significant changes in that it signifies the end of a part of life that is attached to the idea of youth. Ageing, although a normal, natural part of life can cause unhappiness as women compare themselves to younger people.
 
Although some women do suffer during menopause, there are also lots of women who are quite happy with it and see it as the start of the next stage of their lives which can be a positive stage where we have gained from life experience, have greater wisdom and freedom from the constraints of young children.
 
Whatever your feelings and emotions during this time, talking through them can help to accept and come to terms with the changes in life, which although may be difficult and distressing will pass and life will become easier.