Have you ever considered the various ups and downs women experience besides just menstruation and pregnancy? Menopause is one such experience that affects many women.
More simply, menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycle. It’s not simple as just the end. It’s a time were women may feel emotional, lonely, and moody in non-explainable conditions. It’s hard!
During menopause, women go through a vulnerable and emotional phase that requires proper care and support from those around them. However, many individuals lack the knowledge and understanding of how to provide the necessary care, comfort, and attention. Menopause brings about significant physical and emotional changes that can transform a woman’s life. As friends, partners, and loved ones, it is crucial for us to comprehend and support women during this journey.
So, let’s dive in and learn how to become the support system these incredible women deserve!
What is Menopause?
When a woman permanently stops having menstrual periods, she has reached the stage of life called menopause. Menopause occurs when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55.
Women are born with all of their eggs, which are stored in their ovaries. Their ovaries also make the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which control their period (menstruation) and the release of eggs (ovulation). Menopause happens when the ovaries no longer release an egg every month, and menstruation stops.
The first sign of menopause is usually a change in the normal pattern of your periods. You may start having either unusually light or heavy periods. All women experience menopause differently, but some common symptoms are helpful to look out for are:
- Vaginal Dryness
- Mood swings
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Hot Flashes
- Emotional changes (irritability, mood swings, or mild depression)
- Hair loss/ thinning
- Sore Breasts
- Dry skin, mouth, eyes
- Headache
- Weight gain
How to be with them during this hard time?
Menopause is a transformative journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected waves. As we say, the experience may be different during menopause, one of the hardest phases of life of women; their experience also might be dissimilar.
- Communication is the Key: Communication is essential during menopause. Take the time to ask them how they feel and truly listen to their thoughts and concerns. Engage in frequent conversations about both big and small things to create a sense of comfort and empathy.
- Encourage them by lifting their mood: Lift their mood and provide encouragement when feeling low or disturbed. Menopausal mood swings can be unpredictable, so offering support and positivity can make a significant difference.
- Don’t make them feel alone: Make sure they never feel alone. Despite our presence, menopausal individuals may experience feelings of loneliness and devastation. Be there for them consistently and try to pamper and support them.
- Provide them with empathetic support: Offer empathetic support rather than mere sympathy. Show understanding and compassion at every stage of their menopausal journey. While they may be strong, our support and empathy matter greatly.
- Be patient- Listen! Listen and listen again: Practice patience and be a good listener. Menopause can bring about emotional outbursts, childish behaviour, and even inappropriate remarks. Remember that it’s the hormonal changes playing a role, so remain patient and provide a listening ear.
- Reassure that they are still loved: Reassure them that they are still loved. Feeling loved is vital for them during this time. Ensure they are reminded of their worth and receive love in various ways.
- Ensure that she eats right and is physically active: Encourage healthy eating habits and physical activity. Proper nutrition and staying physically active are crucial during menopause. Help them maintain a balanced diet, provide nutritious meals, and motivate them to engage in exercises, yoga, dance, or other activities they enjoy.
- Celebrate her menopause like a milestone: Embrace and celebrate their transition into menopause as a milestone. Menopause marks the end of one phase of life and the beginning of another. Celebrate this journey and acknowledge the significance of this transformative period for a woman.
Women’s bodies are extraordinary, filled with an abundance of changes and inherent powers. One of the most significant transitions they experience is menopause—a phase that marks the end of a reproductive era and the beginning of a new chapter. Let’s all be with them on this new journey!
