Menopause: Bringing the Heat and Many Other Symptoms

When you think of menopause, what crosses your mind? You are probably thinking of those sitcom TV shows that portray menopause as a month-long hot flash that disrupts a woman’s everyday life. She might be sweating buckets with a bright red face to accompany it. Now, having hot flashes is a sign of menopause, but it’s not the only thing that women go through. These portrayals are not an accurate representation of this phase and can steer women in the wrong direction on their health. There are so many different symptoms associated with menopause, besides hot flashes. The more women know, the better they can manage and take control of their health. 

Now these TV representations can bring a little comedy to the topic of menopause, but it really shows the lack of education surrounding women’s health, especially when it comes to menopause. Survey results show that 90% of women were not even taught about menopause in school, while 60% of them did not feel informed about this phase before their bodies started to change. These numbers highlight just how much women’s health is put on the backburner, and how society is playing into this narrative. The fact that TV shows and media constantly attribute hot flashes as the major sign of menopause shows just how lacking accurate information is. 

“One common misconception about menopause is the belief that hot flashes are always the first symptom to signal the transition. In truth, it is more often a change in your menstrual cycle – whether it's missed periods, heavier or lighter flows, or erratic timing – that tend to be the earliest indication that menopause is nearing,” shares Amy Beckley, Ph.D and CEO at Proov.

This sentiment creates issues on multiple levels for women entering menopause. For example, women most times don’t feel prepared for this phase of their lives. They don’t know which symptoms to really look out for, and this can put them behind on symptom management. 

Education is a crucial part of understanding their bodies, and when misinformation is out there it can lead women astray. Every woman is different and so are their bodies. One woman might have hot flashes, while others don’t, so it’s important to understand how menopause can affect your body in multiple ways. Once you feel informed about how menopause affects your body, you can make a gameplan to find ways to alleviate the discomfort. 

“Every woman is different and thus, menopause affects everyone differently. Hot flashes and night sweats are still symptoms of menopause that many women endure. Some other initial signs may be trouble sleeping, difficulty focusing, anxiety and agitation, weight changes, and overall exhaustion. These signs are common for a lot of issues, including regular stress; which means a lot of women may dismiss these feelings. But, it is important to pay attention to our bodies and what they are telling us,” Beckley says. 

However, no matter what symptoms you might experience, relief is on the horizon. Practicing more holistic health methods can help you take control over menopause, and not the other way around. Instead of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on medicines and procedures, things like exercising, dieting, getting enough sleep, or even taking supplements can help your body get back on track. These at-home remedies are easy to do, and can give you the space to feel comfortable in your own skin. 

As previously mentioned, every woman is different. They will experience different symptoms, on a different timeline, which means different remedies are necessary. Menopause can be uncomfortable and annoying, but it doesn’t have to be. Because education surrounding women’s health is so lacking, it’s important to do your own research so you can set your health up for success. Menopause can bring the heat, but it can also bring other painful symptoms. The more you know about menopause the more confident you will feel to tackle it head on.