Our health is far too important to jeopardise by entertaining false information. Yet, when it comes to the general understanding of menopause, a plethora of common misconceptions only serve to compound the complexities of this phase. For women who are at the start of their menopause journey (or years into it), access to the highest-quality, accurate information is crucial to making informed decisions about their ongoing healthcare and personalised treatment strategies.
Rather than allowing you to waste your time wading through rumours and myths on the internet, we’ve gathered some of the most common misconceptions about menopause, debunking them and looking to the truth instead.
Misconception: Menopause occurs ‘all of a sudden’
Have you ever experienced confusion about whether or not menopause is a sudden event? Too many women still lack clarity around when and how menopause begins, looking for a clear before and after as to when menopause has occurred. In reality, menopause is a gradual process, beginning with perimenopause as its first phase. This transitional period fluctuates in length from woman to woman, with perimenopause ending and menopause marked as officially having taken place at the point when a woman hasn’t experienced a period for 12 consecutive months. During perimenopause, all kinds of hormonal fluctuations will lead to irregular periods and the introduction of menopause symptoms – but this is certainly not a sudden, singular event.
Find the truth you need and the resources that make all the difference for your menopause journey at the Australian Menopause Centre.
Misconception: Menopause always begins in a woman’s late 40s
While it would be nice to have some certainty around when menopause is going to officially begin, this just isn’t the case. Menopause most commonly begins for women in their late 40s and early 50s, but early menopause is experienced by a significant number of women as a result of varying factors. Premature menopause is defined as occurring before age 40, with early menopause defined as occurring between the ages of 40 and 45. For some women experiencing specific medical treatments like chemotherapy or battling with an autoimmune disease, this can contribute to an increased risk of early menopause.
Misconception: Women can’t get pregnant during menopause
Once menopause has officially been marked, a woman is no longer able to get pregnant, yes – but during perimenopause, pregnancy is still possible. It’s not until a woman has gone 12 months in a row without a period that menopause is truly marked, and before this time, it’s important to keep using contraception if you’re not looking to get pregnant. This can be a surprise for women who believe perimenopause marks the point where they’re no longer fertile, so be careful in discussing your contraception needs with your healthcare practitioner – or you may be in for a surprise!
Misconception: Menopause is a similar experience for all women
If only this misconception were true, managing menopause would be significantly easier for us all. In reality, each of our individual experiences with menopause will be highly unique. This can be a result of differing genetic factors, lifestyles, health history, or cultural implications. Some women may experience extremely mild symptoms, while others will experience symptoms so intense, they disrupt their entire lives. There’s also a high degree of variability in the kind of health considerations that need to be at the forefront throughout this time, making it top priority for each of us to find the right personalised support for our individual menopause journeys. Don’t punish yourself if you feel like you need more support during menopause than your friends or your sister – in reality, your experience is entirely your own, and you deserve access to the resources and tools necessary to make it as smooth as possible.
Misconception: Menopause causes depression
While hormonal changes throughout menopause can have an impact on our mental health, this doesn’t mean menopause is always the culprit behind depression. Mood swings and increased irritability are common for menopausal women thanks to these fluctuations, but there are a range of other factors that can also contribute to worsening mental health throughout this period. For women who have a history of depression or anxiety, this can be a particularly vulnerable time. Rather than chalking depression up to menopause, it’s time to seek the highest quality of mental health support if depression becomes a part of your menopause experience.
Misconception: Menopause equals automatic weight gain
As women, we’re often trained by all kinds of messages to carry fear around when it comes to weight gain, and this can be especially prevalent during menopause. Unfortunately, too many companies are looking to monetise the increased risk of weight gain throughout menopause by sending extreme messages about the weight gain that’s ‘automatic’ throughout menopause. In reality, while many women are likely to experience weight gain during menopause, it’s not entirely because of hormonal changes. They’re a contributing factor – but they’re not the only ones. What’s important to remember is that by maintaining a healthy diet and keeping up a regular exercise routine, you can minimise changes to your weight throughout your menopausal years.
Misconception: Menopause means the end of sexual desire
Hormonal changes can make sex during menopause more difficult, but it certainly doesn’t mark the end of sexual desire automatically. A wide range of treatments, including lubricants and hormone therapy, can help to protect your sexual desire and sexual enjoyment throughout menopause. For some women, the absence of pregnancy concerns once menopause has officially taken place can also lead to an increased interest in sex! As with every other aspect of menopause, this is a highly personal area. If you’re experiencing a decrease in sexual desire, you can find a treatment option that helps you to take this energy back and experience pleasure in your personal intimacy.
Conclusion
Don’t let fear around menopause keep you from accessing the quality of information you need to navigate with confidence and clarity. Find support for your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing throughout menopause at the Australian Menopause Centre. No misconceptions here – just warm, supportive, and expert-led personal care that makes a world of difference for your menopause experience.
About The Author - AMC Team
Our team consists of doctors, nurses, program assistants, naturopaths and nutritionists that join their wealth of knowledge to offer our patients and website visitors interesting and insightful articles to assist you understand the symptoms you are experiencing and how to relieve them.