Information and resources about the journey from peri-menopause to menopause and the physiological and emotional changes a woman can experience during this time.
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According to the National Institute on Aging, “Menopause is a point in time 12 months after a woman's last period. The years leading up to that point, when women may have changes in their monthly cycles, hot flashes, or other symptoms, are called the menopausal transition, or perimenopause. The menopausal transition most often begins between ages 45 and 55.” 1
While the old discomforts of speaking about menopause openly have changed, what has not changed is its impact on many women’s physical and emotional daily lives. Back in the day, menopause was often treated as a pathology. Books and journal articles were written about the disturbing changes women go through and menopause was often given a diagnosis identifying it as a related mental or emotional pathology. The famous Phyllis Chesler's book, "Women and Madness"2 is such an example.
Much emphasis was placed upon the physical changes of menopause as just part of what a woman can experience during this time. Medicine didn't have much to offer women who were suffering through this transition. The emotional changes of a woman during menopause were often referred to as “hysteria”, depression or melancholy. This labeling suggests a pathological quality to any woman who experienced those symptoms during menopause and the treatment was usually a popular tranquilizer or sedative.
Some of us do not necessarily welcome the signals of the ending of our reproductive years. For many women, it can impact not only physical body changes but also their sexual drive and experience. Many of us fear this transition because of hormonal shifts that take place and produce unwanted effects such as hot flashes, night sweats, or insomnia.
Other issues like facial hair growth, thinning of hair, weight gain and fatigue can also accompany the hormonal changes that take place during menopause. *While menopause is a natural, inevitable, and even healthy part of our reproductive experience, there are many women who do not have an easy time with it. On the other hand, some women have little to no discomfort at all.
I have taught the subject of reproductive health for many years. Thankfully, the options, treatments, and our ability to have control over the resulting symptoms have changed significantly. Yet, we are not given information about this process that could greatly reduce our concern about the symptoms that happen during this time. Many of us did not necessarily have all the information we needed to make the experience
easier in those years of transition.
As many of us are aware of but don’t necessarily connect with, the physical symptoms that can accompany menopause until they are in the process themselves. Some of the changes that can be difficult to deal with are:
Irregular periods
lady partsl dryness
Hot flashes
Chills
Night sweats
Sleep problems
Mood changes
Weight gain and slowed metabolism
The National Institute of Whole Health (NIWH), an accredited Whole Health education organization since 1976, has made available a free video course titled Journey through Menopause that is entertaining and informative. This course can give you a different perspective and understanding of menopause. It also provides 4 ANCC-approved contact hours.
The video offers you new insights and tools to make your own Journey through Menopause less challenging and easier to move through. Understanding the 5 Aspects of Whole Health™ * can help an individual reduce or greatly control the symptoms of the menopause process.
The course video addresses the accompanying aging issues women experience as well as common physical and emotional challenges that can accompany them. The course is filled with evidence-based information on the subject, yet is fun and engaging. You can access the course online for free at this address:
If you or any of your friends or relatives are experiencing this “change of life” it may be helpful and greatly appreciated if you share this free information with them as they will come away with a clearer, deeper understanding of what the journey through menopause is all about and what they can do to take more control over the process.
