Menopause myths and facts

What are common signs of menopause? Is it begins with hot flashes or weight gain? Menopause brings in a challenging phase in life of a woman. It becomes increasingly difficult to decide what is going on. Anxiety and depression creep in. It is essential that you should aware of all the myths and facts about menopause to avoid unnecessary anxiety and depression. Don’t pay attention to baseless negative stories which are told.

Here we are listing some commonly known myths about menopause and what are facts of these myths.

Myth- Menopause starts at 50

Fact-On average woman begins experiencing signs of menopause at 52. There is no set age limit however for the symptoms to appear. These symptoms can appear anytime between 30 to 60 years of age. There is a perimenopause phase where signs begin to appear but menstrual cycle is still active. There is fluctuation in sex hormones, progesterone, testosterone and estrogen that causes different level of symptoms in different women.

Myth-Weight gain cannot be avoided in menopause

Fact-Yes it is true that there is weight gain in menopause but it is not necessary that you allow it to happen. Hormonal imbalance can cause your body to gain weight but with proper exercising and routine checkup you can avoid weight gain. Mostly there is fat accumulation around waist, hips, and thighs. This is because body tries to protect itself from hormonal changes.

Myth-Natural menopause and surgical menopause is same

Fact-The two are significantly different. With surgical hysterectomy there is an overnight hormonal change in the body as oppose to gradual slow change during natural menopause. Women who get their uterus and cervix removed along with ovaries and fallopian tubes can face challenges like low sexual desire and lower testosterone levels. However in natural menopause these symptoms are not present.

Myth- There is decrease in sex drive menopause

Fact-There is no medical proof that menopause causes drop in sex levels. However aging does affects libido in women because of hormonal imbalance. Lower sex can also because of emotional stress a woman go through when she has menopause.

Myth-Hot Flash is first sign of menopause

Fact-It is a common misconception among women that hot flash is the very first sign of menopause. However it is wrong there can be any sign of menopause including:

• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Irregular periods
• Irritability
• Cravings
• Mood swings
• Weight gain
• Hair loss
• Low libido
• Loss of sexuality
• Fuzzy thinking
• Forgetfulness
• Heavy menses

You can never be sure of what can be actual symptoms of menopause. So stop making any guesses.

Myth-Menstruating period is proportional to menopause period

Fact-It is not true. You may start menstruating later than the usual age but it do not signifies that you will have a later menopause period. There are many factors which affect the age at which one faces menopause. These factors include:

• Genetic history of menopause
• Are you a regular smoker or drinker?
• How many times you have being pregnant?

All of these factors along with quality of life affect the menopause age.

These are some myths which you should know about menopause.

Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women's Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including abortions, physical examinations, family planning and counseling. Late Term Abortion Clinic.

Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women's Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women. http://www.womenscenter.com/