Menopause Myths

Myths about menopause are born from drug ads and diet books, to unenlightened doctors and well-wishers. There is so much written about menopause and women’s health that it is becoming difficult to decipher the truth from the ad copy meant to sell another drug.

This article attempts to introduce you to some of the most common myths.

The first myth is that natural hormones are better than traditional hormone therapy. Advocates of well-being products and organic supplements parade this myth before the population. At this point there has not been enough research to prove, or disprove, this theory.

Women loosing it when they have menopause is the second most common myth. In truth, only a small number of women suffer the common hot flashes, memory loss, and depression of menopause. Even those who do suffer rarely suffer long time problems. Finally, there is no proof at all that supports the myth that women are doomed to ‘loose it’ and fall into a depression.

Good news is that women will not loose interest in sex during menopause. Sexual desire fluctuates through our entire lives, in both men and women. Many medications will interrupt the body’s natural functions, including the reproductive cycles.

A few women will experience vaginal dryness, irritation and pain with penetration during and after the menopause transition. This discomfort is easily dealt with by using a vaginal moisturize or lubricant.

If the lack of sex is disturbing to the woman and her partner, then local estrogen (in cream, vaginal tablets or a ring) may help. However, because of the known harmful effects, estrogen is only recommended at the lowest dose needed, for the shortest time needed.

One dangerous myth is that breast cancer is only hereditary. Approximately 70 per cent of all women who develop breast cancer have no family history.

Common sense is replaced by hysteria as heart disease looses its gender basis. The statistics prove that heart disease is as common in women as it is in men. This has lead to a myth that women with high-cholesterol, but no heart disease, should still take cholesterol-lowering drugs.

These drugs are popular, but there is currently no randomized, controlled trial that proves these drugs help women who do not show symptoms of heart disease. However, there are reports that prove women can reduce their risk of heart disease by exercising regularly, eating a Mediterranean-style diet, and quitting smoking.
More and more is known about diet and women’s health. A woman’s health is no longer bound to the years she has lived, but by her body’s health. This means that there are many women in their fifties who are at less risk for heart disease than many women who are still in their twenties.

This goes hand in hand with societies push toward using medication to solve all our problems. Women are falling into a mindset that drugs will solve all our problems. In reality, most drugs are designed to alleviate the symptoms, not cure the disease.
A cholesterol-lowering drug can reduce cholesterol, but eating right will accomplish the same objective in many cases.

Menopause is a life stage that all women must face. They need to take responsibility for their own health, and look to supplements, lifestyle changes, and medical help that will work for them.
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4. Bone density predicts whether a woman will fracture a hip.
Bone density is a factor in fracture risk, but not the only one. Age, medications, and individual and family history of fractures are also factors. You can reduce your risk of fracturing a hip by getting enough calcium and vitamin D, exercising regularly, not smoking, having your vision checked and clearing your environment of fall hazards, such as scatter rugs.
6. Unexpected pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections are concerns only for younger women.
Those of us over 40 have far fewer pregnancies than younger women. But many of our pregnancies – some experts estimate more than half – are unexpected. Even when birth control is no longer an issue, it’s vital to protect ourselves from sexually transmitted infections. This is particularly important for those of us who have new or multiple partners, but those of us who are in long-term relationships also may benefit from taking precautions, because we may not know the risks to which our partners are exposing us.

7. Gaining weight and losing strength and energy are inevitable as we get older.
Such changes are common, but not always inevitable. For many women, the main causes are decreased physical activity and poor eating habits. The solutions? Introduce more healthy foods and snacks into your routine and find ways to get yourself moving, whether it’s using the stairs instead of the elevator or taking a dance class with a friend. While you may need to modify your activities as you grow older, studies have shown that strength can be maintained and perhaps increased at any age. If you exercise regularly, you will likely have more energy and sleep better, too.
9. If a doctor recommends a hysterectomy, it’s probably necessary.

About one third of all American women have had a hysterectomy (the surgical removal of the uterus) by the age of 60. While hysterectomies have saved lives and restored health for some women, studies have concluded that many of the operations are not needed and pose unnecessary risks. New, less invasive treatments are available.