Menopause will happen to every woman. While it is natural, suffering from menopausal symptoms is not necessary. Oprah was recently joined by celebrities including Halle Berry, Maria Shriver, and Naomi Watts on her menopause special. The women used their platform to highlight the confusing and difficult experience of navigating menopause and personal stories of when they were ignored or misdiagnosed by their doctors. This week on Fox17, Dr. Bitner, like Oprah, brings awareness to the menopause experience because knowledge is power, and knowing what is happening in your body is the first step to aging well.
Fact #1
Menopause has a significant impact on all women, and typically occurs naturally around age 51. For some women, it can start earlier after surgery to remove the ovaries, or after cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy. Common menopause symptoms are:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Brain fog
- Weight gain
- Changes in libido
- Poor sleep
- Low energy
- Bladder issues
- Mood changes
- Joint pain
- Heart palpitations
Fact #2
Symptoms look different for every woman. Some women may experience a subtle progression of symptoms that lead to questions like, “Why don’t I feel like myself?” and “Why am I gaining weight and still doing all the same things?” Others may feel overwhelmed with sudden changes, like irritability or the onset of anxiety or depression. Symptoms affect all areas of a woman’s life, from work performance to relationships with family and friends and self-confidence. Menopause can also cause chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. It’s important that women continue to share their experiences to raise awareness and bring light to these common challenges. You aren’t alone in your experience. The transition to menopause doesn’t have to be so scary when you begin to understand why your body feels the way it does.
Fact #3
The right treatment for one woman might not be right for another. Menopause is not like other health conditions where a set plan follows a diagnosis. It is important to talk with a healthcare provider who is trained and knows all the options. Treatment for menopause is a combination of lifestyle habits and FDA-approved medications based on your personal experience.
Patient Story:
Jane, 47, was experiencing anxiety, had trouble focusing at work and staying asleep at night, and her periods were getting more spaced out. She shared these symptoms with her doctor and how she was always irritable. Jane’s doctor knew her history of postpartum depression and her high risk for anxiety and depression in perimenopause. Her doctor explained that anxiety can increase in perimenopause due to the drop in estrogen and progesterone, making the brain chemicals levels drop as well. After visiting her doctor, Jane felt seen and more equipped to navigate her perimenopausal symptoms.
Jane prioritized meeting with her therapist and getting to bed on time while also beginning an FDA-approved menopause hormone therapy called Bijuva. Jane was grateful her doctor gave her the resources she needed not to feel scared about the changes her body was undergoing, and Jane felt empowered that she could handle it with the right support.
Takeaway Tip:
Tune into Oprah’s menopause special and recommend it to friends and family to spread awareness. Remember that you are not alone in navigating menopause. All women have to walk through it, and there are options and knowledgeable providers available. You just need to advocate for yourself! The first step to aging well starts with speaking up!
