Menopause!!! No one likes to talk about it, but it happens whether we talk about it or not. We whisper about the \u201cM\u201d word and only feel comfortable when we are around another woman having a hot flash. Then we exhale, let our guard down and bond over our shared misery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u201cperi\u201d aspect of menopause sucks and can be a long, drawn out, crazy, topsy-turvy time of hormonal fluctuations with physical, mental and emotional health manifestations many of which impinge on your quality of life. It\u2019s like puberty (hello pimples, irregular periods, mood swings and hair in weird places ) all over again except you have a mortgage, a job and a whole lot of responsibilities. Unfortunately , the \u201cmoody\u201d menopausal woman doesn\u2019t have the luxury of brooding in her room. For many women in their late forties and fifties this is a time of full career commitments while sandwiched between raising children and caring for aging parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Menopause was early for me (like it was for my mother) and fortunately the \u201cperi\u201d lasted less than 2 years. My biggest symptoms were drenching night sweats, horrid hot flashes worse with coffee and wine (my favorites) and insomnia, which may have made me a tad irritable at home and at work. I have many memories of horrid\u201d flash sweats\u201d during morning rounds precipitated by having my mask on in negative pressure rooms (the bane of inpatient ID rounds). For many women, symptoms are more severe and the mental health impact goes beyond mood swings. Depression and anxiety can occur. These are serious and should be discussed with a professional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Years later I can talk about the menopause transition, laugh at myself and even offer advice to friends going through menopause. I have read the Steve Covey book\u201dThe 7 habits of highly effective people\u201d a few times and try to apply the habits in my daily life. As a confident post-menopausal woman, here is my take on The \u201cCovey 7 \u201cand menopause. These 7 habits are broken into personal victories (habits 1-3), public victories (habits 4-6) and renewal\/sharpening the saw. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Be proactive:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since we know menopause is inevitable you can start planning. The median age at menopause is 52 years but maternal history matters. If you have access to your moms age at menopause that is helpful. Menopause usually doesn\u2019t happen suddenly in the absence of surgical or other therapy induced menopause. You have time to research symptoms of perimenopause, best management options, what to expect. Research natural ways to manage symptoms. Talk to friends who have gone through menopause. Talk to your health care provider or gynecologist about what to expect and the best ways to manage your symptoms. Talk to your spouse or partner about what may happen as the process begins. They deserve a heads up about fluctuating thermostat settings, a libido that may be cool and damp sheets that require getting out of bed at 2am!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Begin with the end in mind:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The perimenopause- menopause period ( pun intended) however short or long it seems will be done soon enough. The drenching night sweats, hot flashes and mood swings will stop. Your concentration and libido will return though you may emerge a few pounds heavier. Soon enough you\u2019ll be able to talk about it, laugh about it and drink wine or coffee without breaking into a sweat. You will be able to travel without tampons or pads, no more PMS and you never have to worry about unintentionally getting pregnant. *ID doc alert- still need condoms to protect against STIs and consider PrEP for HIV prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Put First things first:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is about YOU. Yes, millions of women go through menopause each year but they are not you. Focus on yourself. Are you healthy? Are your symptoms just menopause or is something else going on. How is your mental health? Make sure your health screenings are up to date. Routine health exams, know your BMI, get your Colonoscopy. mammograms, gynecological and bone health are especially important if considering hormone replacement therapy. This is a time to prioritize your self care and what you need to make yourself comfortable. if you need special expensive sheets- get them. If massages help -then treat yourself guilt-free. Your mental health is important too- if you need therapy, get it. Eating healthy and exercising helps to attenuate the weight gain. This is about YOU. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Think win win:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When this is done you will be post- Menopausal. This is a new stage for you and the start of the next phase. Benefits – no periods , no possibility of pregnancy, save so much on tampons. A time of maturity and growth. A time to pursue hobbies and interests with renewed vigor. Embrace this as becoming older and wiser with so much to offer the younger generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Seek first to understand then be understood:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a tough one to do. Realizing that people who have not gone through menopause may not understand. Some women who had little or no symptoms may think you are overreacting and not be as empathetic. People only see the outward manifestations. They react to your irritability, mood swings without understanding what\u2019s going on. For close people like spouses, partners or grown up children, a heads up or talk could help. Many times once they know what\u2019s going on, they are more likely to want to \u201cget\u201d how you feel. My daughters teased me about the hot flashes but that just brought levity to the situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Synergize :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bond with other women in the perimenopause or menopause stage and unite forces. Share tips on things that helped you as you transitioned to this new phase. Share recommendations and resources knowing that it\u2019s not a one- size fits all. Stop whispering about menopause, it\u2019s a natural part of living and aging.. No shame or stigma. Take all the hugs you can get<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Renewal :<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is emerging from the transition as a confident, older and wiser woman who is now post- menopausal. This is you taking care of yourself . Reflecting, renewing, refreshing , restarting, resetting as you embrace this new stage in life. You are amazing and have so much to conquer and accomplish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Change is hard EVEN when it is inevitable. The transition can be rough but you\u2019ve got this sis !\ud83d\udcaa\ud83c\udfff Toyin Falusi Nwafor, MD is an infectious disease physician, author podcaster and wellness coach.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Menopause!!! No one likes to talk about it, but it happens whether we talk about it or not. We whisper about the \u201cM\u201d word and only feel comfortable when we are around another woman having a hot flash. Then we exhale, let our guard down and bond over our shared misery. The \u201cperi\u201d aspect of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-791","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"\n\n