Menopause

If you have someone you know going through menopause or will in the future, you probably have many concerns and questions. You may not know much about menopause or menopausal changes except for what you've heard from others. The best you can do for your loved one is to be supportive and find out all you can about what she is going through.

Menopause is a natural part of a women's life. Formerly known as "the change of life", it is when the ovaries stop producing estrogen, a hormone needed by the body for numerous functions. Menopause is usually a gradual thing unless induced by surgical removal of the ovaries. When the menopause is a result of surgery, the symptoms are the same, but they come on instantly rather then gradual. There are many symptoms and discomforts associated with menopause, but the most obvious that may affect the family and loved ones are:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Lack of sex drive
• Vaginal dryness

Try to have understanding of what she is going through. Find some literature and educate yourself. There may come a time when she is going through hot flashes and night sweats and she will want a cooler temperature in the home. Understand that this is something she can't help. You may want to dress a little warmer during these times to avoid discomfort. Another excellent idea is getting her a small fan that will help her but not affect you.

It may seem, at times, that nothing you do will please her and everything you do is wrong. This, too, is something beyond her control. Depression and mood swings are major symptoms of menopause. Many women feel a low sense of worth now that they can no longer have children. For years, women have been "taught" that going through menopause means they are old. Always be available to talk with your loved one going through this period and allow her to express her feelings. Let her know that she is the same attractive and loving person she has always been. For the married couple, menopause should be something that they both deal with….together.

Another symptom of menopause, lack of sex drive, may stem from the vaginal dryness making sex uncomfortable. Or it may be from her own feeling of now being "old" and unattractive. Let her know that she is still the same woman she has always been. There are many aids on the market to help with the dryness and make sex more comfortable. You will probably find that after this is all over, your sex life will be as it was before or perhaps better. Many women experience a stronger sex drive after they've gone through menopause.

If you are a child of someone going through menopause, the advice is the same. Be loving and understanding of her moods and feelings. This may seem very foreign to you at this stage of your life, but remember one day this may be you or possibly your wife going through this. The love and support you give now will be returned triple fold someday.

Menopause Help |