Menopause Myths Debunked: What’s Really Happening too Your body
Paris,France – As millions of women navigate the changes of menopause,a wave of misinformation frequently enough accompanies the physical and emotional shifts. A recent interview wiht gynecologist Thelma Linet clarifies common concerns surrounding symptoms like hot flashes, libido, and weight gain, offering a fact-based look at what to expect – and what isn’t necessarily inevitable.
While frequently enough portrayed as a singular event, menopause is a transition lasting roughly ten years, encompassing the period three to four years before the cessation of menstruation and approximately seven years after the last period. Though, for over 25% of women, this period can extend to a full twenty-five years, according to Linet.
Libido & Menopause: It’s Complicated
The idea that libido automatically plummets with menopause is a misconception. Linet explains that hormone deficiencies can impact desire, as can accompanying symptoms like vaginal dryness and general exhaustion. ”When you’re exhausted, you don’t want to anymore. menopause dose not reduce libido as such, but it is all the little symptoms put together,” she states.beyond the physiological,Linet emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying relationship dynamics and societal perceptions of female desire,which she notes are “poorly evaluated and often negative in popular imagery.”
Weight Gain: A Shift in Distribution, Not Just Quantity
Fears about weight gain are common, but Linet clarifies that the period of greatest weight gain for many women actually occurs in their thirties. Menopause can contribute to weight gain, but it often manifests differently. “It will appear in areas where we are not used to seeing it, on the abdomen and thorax. We really have this impression of gaining belly and breasts,” she explains, noting this can alter a woman’s silhouette and contribute to feelings of aging. Linet also cautioned against fatphobia and the tendency to blame or shame women for weight changes, highlighting the “psychological impact” these changes can have on self-esteem.
Managing Symptoms: Options Exist
despite the possibly lengthy duration of menopausal symptoms, Linet stresses that there are effective tools available. ”We have lots of tools, with lots of studies on them, which work on these different symptoms which can occur when we are deficient in hormones,” she says, pointing to hormonal supplementation as a potential option to discuss with a healthcare provider.
Ultimately, Linet advocates for informed self-advocacy. Understanding the realities of menopause – and separating fact from fiction – is crucial for women to navigate this life stage and make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Her book,”Menopause,if I want” (Albin Michel),offers further insight into the topic.
