Myths About Menopause
Myths, misinformation, and misconceptions about menopause abound. The most
common is that menopause is "the beginning of the end." Yet the opposite myth
is almost as common-- that it just isn't a big deal. Some women face menopause
with the attitude of longing saying, "I wish I could get out of having my periods!"
Yet menopause is about much more than losing your periods. For many women, the
end of fertility may be welcome, but in some women, the end of fertility represents
a major loss. The good news is that just because you've "lost" your fertility
doesn't mean you're losing your sexuality.
With menopause, many women struggle with the emotional burden of suddenly feeling
"old". The numerous physical and emotional symptoms can be overwhelming and
confusing, especially in the perimenopausal years preceding menopause.
Another
myth is that menopause is associated with "empty nest syndrome" and causes depression.
Research has shown that depression in women actually peaks in the 30's; many
women in their 50's experience what Margaret Mead termed "postmenopausal zest".
Menopause is a risk factor for depression in some women: women who have
had a previous history of depression (including postpartum depression), women
with any other psychiatric illness, women with a family history of depression,
and women with a history of premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMS.
The most harmful myth is that because menopause is "natural", it doesn't have
any serious consequences or need to be treated. This may apply to some women,
but not to the majority. Losing estrogen puts menopausal women at increased
risk for osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, Alzheimer's disease, tooth
loss, impaired vision, vaginal and urethral atrophy, Parkinson's disease, and
diabetes. The longer women go without the protection of their own estrogen,
the greater their risk for the health consequences from these conditions. Likewise,
just because menopause is "natural" doesn't mean there aren't interventions
that improve quality of life- many of the consequences of menopause can be successfully
treated and managed. The good news about menopause is that with prompt intervention
and proper management, many of the long-term consequences can be prevented,
reduced in frequency, or delayed.
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Created: 3/8/2001  - Donnica Moore, M.D.