You might notice the changes before anyone else—a shift in mood, tenderness in the breasts, irregular cycles. Perimenopause can come on slowly, and it can be difficult to explain what’s happening in your body as you adjust to the shifts. Just as it may be hard for you to understand what’s happening in your body, it can also be challenging for a partner and family to understand what this shift means. Being open with any symptoms, as well as any needs you have, is one of the best ways to move forward into this next cycle of life.
Remove the Menopause Stigma
Menopause, like menstruation, is a powerful shift in the body of a woman or person with biologically female organs. Genetics have shown correlation between the onset of menopause in women—whenever your mother began menopause can be viewed as a rough blueprint for your own transition cycle. As you begin approaching that time frame, ranging from the late thirties through mid-fifties, pay attention to your cycles to see what is happening and if any symptoms are present. Some of the common early symptoms of perimenopause, that initial phase of menopause that can last up to five years or so, are breast tenderness, lower sex drive, irregular cycles, and worsening PMS symptoms. These shifts can affect not only your relationship with your body, but your relationship with your loved ones. Begin by talking about any symptoms as they appear.
Conversation with Family
Destigmatizing menopause happens in small, important conversations. Just like talking about the phases of menstruation—the follicular, ovulatory, luteal and menstruating parts of that monthly cycle– talking about menopause and a decrease in estrogen is important, not just for daughters or other women in the family, but for all people. Perhaps you notice more irritability at moments in your cycle. It’s ok, and encouraged, to talk about those emotional highs and lows. You might notice you have less energy to begin or finish projects during your menstruation and just before. This, too, is important to discuss. Just as a woman’s cycle can affect her daily interactions, menopause also can affect the small moments of daily life. It takes courage to talk about how a female body is transformed by the process of menstruation and menopause.
Conversation with Partners
When it comes to conversations with an intimate partner, the topic can be direct and compassionate. Some of the commonly-reported symptoms of menopause are vaginal tightness and dryness, responses to your body’s lack of estrogen production. This can also lead to vaginal atrophy, a thinning of the vaginal dry. These changes can inevitably affect intimate relations with a partner. Rather than feeling shame around this transition, embrace it, and learn to discuss it. You can note if certain foods, exercises, times of the month correlate with a heightened libido. As you’re learning about this new phase of your body, experiment with new practices, like Kegel exercises to tighten the muscles of the pelvic floor. You can also explore other types of intimacy with a partner.
Changes due to menopause are natural, and while supplements like Effisoy can assist with minimizing those symptoms, there are communication components that must happen regardless. It is a new stage, a new cycle, and with that comes beautiful opportunities as well as new challenges.
Let’s talk about menopause today without getting a further delay in discussion with your life partner because its important to discuss menopause and find the best possible and natural menopause relief solution.