Hot Flashes & Cool Insights: Menopause Survival Guide

Ah, menopause! The moment when Mother Nature decides to switch things up for women – the grand transition from the reproductive stage to the non-reproductive stage. It's like life's way of saying, “Let's keep things interesting, shall we?”

However, it turns out that many women suffer through this pivotal phase, largely due to a lack of information and a reluctance to seek help. So, ladies, it's time to demystify the magical world of menopause, with the help of Dr. José Cruz Rivas Herrera, the academic wizard from the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza (FESZ).

Dr. Herrera, the master's and doctorate tutor at the UNAM's Graduate School of Nursing, has a straightforward message: Don't just soldier through those menopausal symptoms. Seek a specialist's guidance! But first, let's get a grip on the basics.

Menopause isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. Your hormonal pattern and the grand finale of your menstrual cycles are as unique as your personality. However, it typically makes its grand entrance somewhere between the ages of 45 and 55. This, ladies and gents, marks the beginning of a new chapter – a phase of life where changes, both physical and mental, are the name of the game.

Now, according to the First Data Observatory on Climacteric and Menopause in Latin America, a staggering 77 percent of women (as per a 2020-2021 survey) didn't know that menopause is as much of a one-day wonder as your high school prom. Additionally, 63 percent were in the dark about what in the world “climacteric” means – which, by the way, encompasses the transition period that encompasses everything before, during, and after menopause.

40 percent of the time, those pesky symptoms aren't even playing nice with hormonal changes. So, what's really happening behind the scenes?

What's Really Going On?

Menopause is like your ovaries taking an early retirement. They clock out, stop releasing eggs for fertilization, and let your estrogen levels nosedive. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes this as a gradual phenomenon, beginning with changes in your menstrual cycle. You might've heard of the term “perimenopause,” which is the stage from your first symptom to a full year after your last menstrual period. This phase can last for several years and wreak havoc on your physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being.

To put things in perspective, the Population and Housing Census 2020 in Mexico showed that there are approximately 14.8 million women aged 50 and over. Life expectancy in Mexico? A cool 78.1 years. However, the symptoms of menopause are far from a one-size-fits-all deal. Think hot flashes, night sweats, decreased libido, weight gain, character changes, insomnia, muscle pain, bone fractures, depression, and anguish.

It's like a rollercoaster with a broken safety bar, and nobody wants that. The key here, according to Dr. Herrera, is to tackle menopause head-on from the moment those periods start playing hooky – not after they've ghosted you completely. It's all about personalized, closely monitored medical treatment. But be warned, “traditionalist” ideas can be the roadblock on your journey to optimal health during menopause.

The Menopause Survival Guide

Hormone replacement isn't a universal panacea. There are cases where it's a no-go, like if you're dealing with hormone-related tumors such as ovarian cancer. In such instances, it's all about balance and vigilance.

Here are some tips for weathering the menopause storm: Prevent osteoporosis by boosting your vitamin D intake, prioritize good sleep, maintain a healthy diet, and stay physically active. But remember, there's no one-size-fits-all answer, so always consult a specialist.

Early menopause might sound like a cruel twist of fate, but it's usually due to hormonal disorders, fibroids, or irregular menstruation – and fortunately, it's not common. On the flip side, irregular menstrual cycles in younger women are becoming more prevalent and a potential risk factor for early menopause.

In closing, World Menopause Day (mark it on your calendars, folks – it's October 18) isn't just another day; it's an opportunity to celebrate women's transitions, aging, and maturation. The best gift you can give? Support, understanding, and that all-important check-up with a medical professional. Embrace this new chapter of life and make it your own. After all, menopause is just another adventure in the wild ride called womanhood!