7 ‘Rules’ About MENOPAUSE Meant To Be Broken Now
Menopause usually occurs in women between 45 and 55 years of age, although roughly 1 in 100 women reaches menopause before their 40s. Despite the inevitability, there are several misconceptions surrounding menopause and aging women.
The First Rule of Menopause is We Don’t Talk About Menopause
“[Menopause is] something we keep hidden and as a result, no one really knows what to expect,” says Jenny Hislop, Senior Qualitative Researcher in the Health Experiences Research Group (HERG) at the University of Oxford.
There’s no shame in not knowing what to expect when you hit menopause - even if you’re already there - because today’s society has made the topic taboo. But it doesn’t have to be.
Over 50 is the New Under 30
Your 50s should be about you - you’ve done the career and providing for your family. You’re not fumbling through life anymore, and you can still do everything you wanted to do when you were 30 - start a new business, travel, learn a new hobby - all with the knowledge and experience you’ve gained in the last 50 years.
By the time you reach your 50s, you’re above trying to please others and caring about their opinions, you get to do whatever you want. Take the time to discover the new you - it’s very freeing.
Grey Hair? Don’t Care.
Many women have taken the opportunity to ditch the dye during COVID. And what have they discovered?
Grey hair is empowering. Not only will it save you a good deal of money, but rocking your natural grey allows you to wear colors that may have previously been off-limits.
But you know what? It’s your hair. So if you want to dye it, go for it - just try to avoid the permanent dyes. Semi-permanent dyes and root concealers are much less damaging to your already weakened hair.
Older Women Should Only Have Short Hair
Keeping your long locks after you hit 50 isn’t just for hippies anymore - it can be a strong statement of power and femininity. While it’s true that your hair will naturally become finer and weaker with age, there are a myriad of products and supplements you can add to your hair-care routine to increase strength and volume. Looking to eliminate the brassiness and yellowing tint to your luscious grey hair? Take a look at purple shampoo and other purple products for an added bonus.
So make some “you” time, apply a hair mask, and relax with a cup of tea or a glass of wine.
Stay Away From Menopausal Women - They’re Scary
I can think of exactly zero women who look forward to being in a constant state of PMS.
Zero.
No one wants their mood to erratically fluctuate from bad to worse, with an occasional good mood thrown into the mix. So what can you do about it? Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one option, but there are many natural and physical remedies you can try first if medication isn’t your first choice.
Exercise, explore different activities, check your sleep, and let go of the stress - and if none of that works, have a chat with your doctor.
Menopause = Weight Gain
Have you been struggling to lose weight, but no matter what you do, the scale just keeps creeping up? Guess what - it’s probably not you. For once, you can place the blame squarely on your hormone’s metaphorical shoulders.
Thanks to your fluctuating hormones, your body has different dietary and physical needs now. Whether you’re loving your new curves or not, it may be a good idea to take a look at your routine and consider adapting your nutrition and physical activity to your body’s new needs.
When looking at your workout schedule, know that cardio isn’t everything. Incorporating strength-building exercises is highly recommended as women naturally begin to lose muscle mass during menopause. Experimenting with circuit-style workouts is one easy way to add weights to your exercise regimen.
Your Sex Life Is Over
Although menopause can mean a lower sex drive and painful sex due to a decrease in estrogen and testosterone, there’s no reason sex should have to stop once you reach menopause - and there’s a number of things you can do to improve it.
Mindfulness, yoga, and other mind-body activities can positively impact desire and sexual intimacy. Other methods to increase sexual desire and decrease painfulness during sex include changing your sexual routine, focusing on foreplay, incorporating sex toys, lubricants, and vibrators, pelvic exercises, couples counseling, sex therapy, and herbal supplements.
Medical intervention isn’t the right answer for everyone - but there’s also no shame in using medications if that’s what you decide is right for you. HRT comes in many forms, including pills, patches, and creams.
Strive to be Better Not Younger. Your life, your body, and your hair, inevitably change with age - but that doesn’t mean your life stops there. Your greatest years are right in front of you - every day is an opportunity to be better and try something new.