Let's talk about MENOPAUSE

In my family, menopause, if it was mentioned at all, was referred to as THE CHANGE.  It was spoken of in hushed and shameful tones. I even found myself, not so long ago, apologizing to a man for saying the word out loud in his presence. He did, in fact, look scandalized! This is a mentality that pervades our conversations about and treatment of the most universal challenge to women’s health and well-being across our lifespan. Every woman, if she lives long enough, will go through menopause.  

I am going on record to say that I’m not having it any more. Women across the US are showing up in their doctors’ offices reporting mild to debilitating symptoms of menopause and perimenopause which are absolutely treatable.  Not only are they treatable, but treating them is preventative of all kinds of diseases and decline not so far down the line.  Instead of being offered these treatments, they are being told that this is just a normal part of life and just go ahead and accept it. 

Dr. Mary Claire Haver, Board Certified OB GYN, social media sensation, and author of the new NYT #1 best seller, The New Menopause, says that the extent of her menopause training (in her advanced clinical education for treating women for all the things) was just a few hours of lecture.  Doctors are not receiving the training necessary to adequately address the health issues related to this phase of life. She is advocating for and creating a new model of care for women experiencing hormonal changes.

Add to these hormonal shifts the complexity and stress of balancing career and being “sandwiched” between caring for children and elderly parents, and women are suffering far worse health outcomes than men.  But wait, you say, don’t women live longer? While that may be true (and the margin may be closing), we spend more of our lives in poor health as compared to men (25% of our lives as opposed to 10% for men).  

Let’s shout it from the rooftop, sisters!  Don’t give up on us! We deserve better! Let’s make it happen.

If you have physical symptoms such as weight gain/body composition changes, muscle/joint pain, sleep disturbances, genitourinary issues, skin changes, decreased energy/focus/libido or other health challenges related to stress, let me help to guide you through the gauntlet to a healthier, happier, more youthful you on the other side of this. I’d love to hear about your experience and support you to thrive through the challenges of menopause, career and caregiving.  Schedule a call here.