Millennials are approaching menopause, and they’re not looking to “just deal with it” as the answer to difficult symptoms. But there aren’t always clear answers about the best treatments for hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal changes and more. In fact, social media is awash with conflicting messages, as are the opinions people get from different types of doctors. Some people have little information and can only try DIY treatments.
A 2022 UK survey of 3,150 women (947 of whom identified as perimenopausal) found that more than 60% of women felt they did not have enough information about menopause or perimenopausal phenomena. Perimenopausal women also said that before the age of 40, more than 60% of women believed they did not understand this change at all.
The survey further revealed that 31% of women are afraid of going through menopause. It is understandable that—— Of the 900 perimenopausal women surveyed, 68.9% reported experiencing mood swings, 68.3% experienced brain fog, 66.8% experienced fatigue, and 66.6% experienced irregular periods. The mood for the next few years is not optimistic.
opportunity for change
“I think we can all agree that this is no It’s OK to profit from a woman’s discomfort or pain, but that’s exactly what I see happening to women in midlife, especially during hormonal and perimenopausal periods,” says family physician, women’s health advocate and Author Dr. Mikala Albertson said. like Perimenopause is becoming a major concern. Women’s health needs more research and attention so that every woman can feel empowered to make decisions based on her body’s unique needs.
The trouble with calling yourself an “expert”
Most of us have seen influencers on Instagram or TikTok—or even just regular people—swearing that a certain product can solve all your problems. Albertson warns menopausal women to be aware of this.
“What am I No Love it, many marketers, scammers, and pseudo-experts try to exploit women’s pain points, offering false promises to solve their so-called “illness” through extreme diet plans, holistic plans, off-label use of drugs, and all-natural remedies. . “These products promise to ‘balance’ our hormones or provide support for our ovaries,” she says. The conflicting advice that bombards us via social media, documentaries, billboards and podcasts has left many women more confused than ever.
a series of questions
Albertsons most often sees women asking the following types of questions:
- “But when? I Starting perimenopause? How do I know?
- What’s going on with these hot flashes? And so much bloodshed?
- I don’t remember anything, is it just my brain?
- Why is it so hard to lose weight?
- is there anything i can do Do About my symptoms? Is hormone replacement therapy safe?
- if i cannot Am I doomed to develop dementia and heart disease by taking estrogen?
Just like the rest of your life, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. “The good news is that there are a variety of FDA-approved, personalized treatment options that can reduce or even relieve your specific symptoms, so you don’t have to suffer alone,” she says.
Dr. Maria Uloko, a board-certified urologist and founder of VULVAi and MUMD Sexual Medicine, said the questions she receives most often fall into three categories: “Confusion, fear, or frustration.” These include:
- “Is what I’m doing normal?” She explains that many women are caught off guard by the range of symptoms that come with menopause, from hot flashes and mood swings to brain fog and painful intercourse.
- “Am I ever going to feel like myself again?” The emotional and physical changes can feel like an identity crisis, she adds, leaving women wondering whether they’ll ever regain their energy, confidence or sexual desire.
- “Why is no one prepared for this?” She believes this is the result of a lack of education about menopause. “Many women enter this stage with little idea of what’s about to happen, leading to a sense of betrayal and isolation,” she says.
Craving a support system
Women need more than just medical advice. Journalist, menopause advocate, filmmaker and documentary co-producer Tamsen Fadal says they need a support system M Factor: Breaking the silence about menopause.
“Whether you’re in perimenopause or menopause, support is important. 88% of women believe that having a strong support network makes your experience more manageable. But there’s a disconnect: only Thirteen percent of people actually have access to a drug,” Fadal said. “Whether you’re battling symptoms or just looking for an infected person, finding your community is key. Let’s not forget the workplace. Women going through perimenopause or menopause should also have access to a support system. Now is the time for us to think about ways to help It’s time for a menopause policy.
Ultimately, Fadal said, we must ask the medical community: “There are huge gaps in medical education around menopause, and there are disparities in treatment.”
