Four reasons to open up to this “taboo topic”
Read more: Let's talk about menopause: Mothers and daughters“I don't remember my mother ever mentioning menopause. She was always so busy that it probably didn't even cross her mind. “We never discussed it.”
This experience from Ci Ru, who lives in China, may sound familiar to you, even if you live in Mexico. With menopause, hormone levels drop and menstrual periods stop. All women go through it, but many don't feel comfortable talking about it, even with their own mothers or daughters.
In Mexico, it is expected that by 2035 one in three women in Mexico will go through postmenopause or climacteric.[1]. Likewise, a survey carried out with 240 Mexican women at ages close to the menopause phase showed that the early postmenopause group has the highest percentage of perception of negative stereotypes about aging with 38%. However, it decreased in the late postmenopausal group, which reported 29%[2].
To help break the silence and begin to normalize conversations on the topic, the book Abbott free download The Next Chapter, or The Next Chapter, shares authentic stories from women in Mexico, India, China and Brazil who have experienced menopause. From the impact of hormonal changes on relationships and your careers or jobs to the toll on health and self-esteem, each woman's unique story expresses the hidden worries and surprising joys that can accompany this new stage of life.
Inspired by these incredible stories bravely shared by women like Ci Ru, Jessica and Prisha, here are four reasons why having a mother-daughter conversation about menopause can be life-changing.
- Empower yourself to talk about what matters most!
Have you ever talked about menopause with your partner, family or friends? For many women, the answer is no, even if menopause symptoms may have taken their toll on their daily lives.
In fact, fewer people feel comfortable talking about menopause than they do about sensitive topics like their financial situation, cancer, or politics.[3]
“If 51% of the world's population goes through menopause, why is it taboo?” asks Jessica from Mexico. “Who decided that it was uncomfortable to talk about a process that all women go through? I hope this silence ends soon.”
So how can this silence end? Any taboo topic loses power when someone around you addresses it openly. Simply saying something like “I'm going through menopause, that's why I feel this way” shows that menopause is something that's okay to feel and discuss. If you're a daughter still in your 20s, 30s, or 40s, feeling comfortable talking about menopause with your mom or your circle of friends may change how you approach (and accept) the changes in your own body as you get there. to this phase of your life.
- Know what you should expect from this stage
“When my menopause started, shortly after turning 50, I honestly had no idea what to expect,” says Mei, from China.
With around 40 different symptoms associated with menopause, the experience can be different for each woman.[4] It can also take many women by surprise. A common belief is that menopause only affects older women; In fact, the hormonal changes that lead to it (a phase known as perimenopause) usually begin in the mid-40s,[5],[6] sometimes before.
Symptoms may include hot flashes and sweating, not sleeping well, mood swings, but also memory difficulties, vaginal dryness, or osteoporosis. [7],[8],[9],[10],[11],[12]
By talking about it and knowing the main symptoms, you can be better prepared to address them and continue living your life on your own terms.
And even more importantly, you will know that you can seek help if necessary. About half of women do not seek medical help for menopause symptoms[13] –and lack of awareness is a major reason.
Strengthen family ties
Maybe the idea of talking about menopause with family members is uncomfortable? That is perfectly understandable. But once exposed, it can be very enriching and helps strengthen the relationship with your mother or daughter.
“I finally raised the topic of menopause with my daughter,” says Prisha, from India. “At first she felt uncomfortable, but she was completely unfazed and we talked about things she had never shared before. Our bond is stronger than ever.”
Studies have shown that mother-daughter bonds are the strongest of all, and open conversations will only strengthen them.
- Access the care you need and deserve
Family conversations can bring about change. And, in the case of menopause, a simple conversation can mean you'll get the support you need to navigate this new chapter.
“Some women may feel that menopause is just a phase of their life that they have to get through without support,” says Álvaro Rojas, Abbott's chief medical officer. “But menopause symptoms can be very difficult to live with and, if left unchecked, can even lead to long-term complications. Early advice from your doctor can help reduce the potential impact on your health, relationships and work.”
Confidence in seeking professional support often begins with a conversation closer to home.
So this Menopause Awareness Month, why not start the conversation?
Starting a conversation doesn't mean you have to dive right into an intense heartfelt dialogue. If raising the topic of menopause feels intimidating, sharing an article or book is a good place to start.
"With The Next Chapter, our intention was to create a collection of authentic stories that many people can relate to, so that more women feel comfortable talking about their own experience with menopause and the potential challenges that come with it,” says Abbott's Dr. Rojas. “We have found that menopause is a topic that is often ignored or misunderstood, so it is essential to better equip women with information to help them understand the changes in their bodies and give them the confidence to get support and accept this. new chapter of their lives.”
So why not take a look at some of these authentic stories from women around the world? Even if menopause doesn't seem to apply to you personally, being open to talking about it can help a loved one feel more comfortable with it and empowered to potentially seek the support they may need.
[1] https://www.comego.org.mx/GPC_TextoCompleto/10-Estudio%20del%20climaterio%20y%20la%20menopausia.pdf
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9180910/
[3] IPSOS. 2022. Global survey shows many are not comfortable talking about menopause. Available from: https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/news-polls/global-survey-shows-many-are-not-comfortable-talking-about-menopause#:~:text=Fewer%20people% 20are%20comfortable%20discussing,%E2%80%93%20a%2019%2Dpoint%20difference.
[4] National Health Service (NHS). Menopause. Symptoms. Last accessed April 2023.. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/
[5] Gold, E.B. (2011). The Timing of the Age at Which Natural Menopause Occurs. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, 38(3), 425–440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogc.2011.05.002
[6] Rössler, W., Ajdacic-Gross, V., Riecher-Rössler, A., Angst, J., & Hengartner, M.P. (2016). Does menopause transition really influence mental health? Findings from the prospective long-term Zurich study. World Psychiatry, 15(2), 146–154. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20319
[7] Delamater L, Santoro N. Management of the Perimenopause. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2018;61(3):419-432. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000389
[8] Santoro N. Perimenopause: From research to practice. J Women's Heal. 2016;25(4):332-339. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5556
[9] Politi MC, Schleinitz MD, Col NF. Revisiting the duration of vasomotor symptoms of menopause: A meta-analysis. J Gen Intern Med. 2008;23(9):1507-1513. doi:10.1007/s11606-008-0655-4
[10] Jim Sliwinski; Aimee Johnson and Gary Elkins. Memory Decline in Peri- and Post-menopausal Women: The Potential of Mind–Body Medicine to Improve Cognitive Performance. Integra Med Insights. Published online 2014:7-15. doi:10.4137/IMI.S14124.Received
[11] Whiteley J, Dibonaventura MD, Wagner JS, Alvir J, Shah S. The impact of menopause symptoms on quality of life, productivity, and economic outcomes. J Women's Heal. 2013;22(11):983-990. doi:10.1089/jwh.2012.3719
[12] Patil S, Sambarey P, Patil C. Menopausal syndrome: clinical presentation and management. Int J Reprod Contraception, Obstet Gynecol. 2016;5(3):757-761. doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20160579
[13] British Menopause Society. 2016. Are women suffering in silence? New BMS survey puts spotlight on significant impact of menopause. Available from: https://thebms.org.uk/2016/05/women-suffering-silence-new-bms-survey-puts-spotlight-significant-impact-menopause/
Last modified: April 14, 2024
