Insomnia, joint pain, irregular periods, mood swings, hot flashes, excessive sweating, slowing metabolism and changing a woman's body at the speed of light in an instant are all signs of menopause or perimenopause.
Generally, women after 45 may already have new physical and mental pains (after giving birth and early puberty). It is not uncommon for women to keep silent about this, to feel less valuable in this society, because their reproductive role is practically over, and according to the standards of the patriarchy, this is her biggest and most important role.
Some women keep silent and hide when their symptoms start, they are ashamed to talk about it, so many do not go to the doctor, because "it will pass". But it won't just go away, and there are many ways women can help themselves. First of all, to know what it is about, and then to talk freely about it and ask for help.
"Perimenopause is the period that precedes menopause." Strictly speaking, menopause is the last cycle in pregnancy and occurs twelve months after the last cycle. In our climate, it most often occurs between the ages of 48 and XNUMX," says famous gynecologist Dr. Mima Fazlagić for "Vreme".
.She adds that perimenopause can begin ten years before the last cycle, that is, it is the period when hormones start to work differently, there is no longer regular ovulation and the symptoms of an irregular cycle, mood changes, and insomnia begin. This is not mandatory and every woman has different symptoms, and it is possible that there will be none.
"During this period, the gynecologist is the most important. A gynecologist to whom a woman goes for regular check-ups is someone who will explain in detail everything related to this period and guide her through this period in the best way," says Dr. Fazlagić.
Misconceptions about menopause
"The most common misconception is that a woman can stay pregnant as long as she has a cycle. After 44 years, pregnancy is practically impossible due to the age of the ovum, especially if it is the first pregnancy," continues Dr. Fazlagić.
Also, he says, the next big misconception is that the longer a woman's cycle is, the slower she will age. The prevailing misconception is that estrogen will stop aging. "Unfortunately, aging cannot be delayed even if it takes a lifetime. Today we know much more about the role of genetics, diet, lifestyle and other factors that are more important than estrogen alone."
Dr. Fazlagić adds that genetics is a major risk factor for early menopause and that today it is possible to perform genetic tests that predict early menopause.
According to her, there is no perfect therapy. Every woman is special and therefore it is important to choose what is most suitable for each one individually. It depends on age, complaints, medical history, expectations and many other factors. A personalized approach is important for this type of problem.
"Climacteric Babettes"
"I think menopause is discussed to a considerable extent, but privately, in the public sphere, attention is not paid to it either enough or in an adequate way." In the media sphere, the laws of the market rule, and the market does not want this kind of topic, even though a large number of media consumers are in menopause, however, given that they make up 50% of the population, and a much smaller part of the editorial and ownership staff simply has no chance of break through," says Lidija Vasiljević, doctor of political science and psychotherapist for "Vreme".
Men are disgusted by this topic, and women are ashamed. Younger women don't want to think about it and the topic is very foreign to them, and older women don't expect support or the opening of these topics, because it hasn't happened before. Vasiljević confirms that most women are very uncomfortable and that they try hard not to see the signs of menopause, i.e. they don't notice.
"Actually, the only visible signs are hot flashes, and the stereotypical image, as they like to treat us in Serbia, is climacteric babes who are flushed and cool off with whatever they get their hands on." She adds that women hide something all their lives because of gender roles and very strong pressure. First, they hide the signs of puberty, because it is an open invitation to sexual observation and sexualized behavior of society, then they hide their stomachs during pregnancy - sometimes because of shame and sometimes to keep their jobs, they hide their menopause because it is an invitation to be lynched, they marry again it takes away credibility under the guise of hormonal imbalance.
However, unlike puberty, there are not even hidden sympathies here, because menopause means the end of a woman's usefulness in the patriarchy, what does she serve then, except to step in and help with her adult children's obligations. He waits lightly for death.
Tabooizing menopause
Mental difficulties arise in a large number of cases in cooperation with social pressures, expectations that the wider and narrower community and family have of women. Menopause is a natural thing, it is not a disease, nor is it a source of disease in itself, however, as a transit state, it certainly increases women's sensitivity and vulnerability.
"The experience I have personally, as well as with my friends and clients, directs me to the areas of life energy, sleep, and mood fluctuations. It is the inevitability of hormonal decline, and again it is natural and expected, however, I think that the importance attached to it aggravates the symptoms, pathologizing what we feel, for which society and prejudices are to blame, as well as the tabooing of menopause," says Vasiljević.
As for psychological difficulties during menopause, they can intensify in any other potentially crisis situations or in phases that are also endocrine-challenging. "Given that the biochemical profile of women changes, the way they react to medical therapy also changes. Mood changes also have a destabilizing effect, as well as the perception of oneself as a person who is in the last phase of life, it certainly sounds pessimistic, but again, who determined such a discourse of observation, certainly society," she continues.
According to her, there is no expert for menopause, nor for puberty, but we can, unfortunately, separately turn to those who take care of our spirit, psyche or body.
"That separation has been in force since Aristotle, and it is completely wrong." So gynecologists will deal with the body and endocrine part, and psychologists, psychiatrists with potential crises, providing support, and helping in accepting new experiences of oneself. Sometimes friends, books, music or alternative medicine will take care of all this. For example, taking herbal preparations helped me a lot."
"Women's Diseases"
Women often hear the term "women's diseases" throughout their lives, since they are young, precisely because they would not talk about it in public or in front of men. Today, times are different, women strive and fight for their freedoms, even to speak about things that others may not want to hear.
"Women's diseases will be there until everyone takes responsibility for the pathologization of women that has existed since the beginning of time, it just changes forms. Throughout history, the gender dimension has been invisibly written in physical and mental illnesses. An example of this is the hysteria around which the backbone of the woman's unstable nature was based.
The second condition is also pathologized as a name, and menopause is seen as the end of a woman's sexuality. Why? By this we can actually see that sexuality, and not even sex itself, has yet separated from its procreative function. For that, we should thank, of course, the church that does not stand still," concludes Lidija Vasiljević.
Warrior through this part of life
Famous writer and screenwriter Ana Rodić is happy to talk today about what she goes through as a woman, including menopause.
"I was lucky to hear about menopause from my mother, and then to talk to my close circle of friends from different generations. That's why I feel the obligation but also the need to speak publicly about menopause, which is hidden under the justification of individual female privacy, for the sake of all women who often have no one to turn to for answers except Google," says Rodić.
She says that the male body goes through the process of growing up and aging rather stably, unlike the female body, which goes through one-month cycles (menstruation) with the common hormonal frenzy of puberty, then through hormonal imbalances during pregnancy and after childbirth (this of course applies to women who have given birth and will decide to give birth) and then through perimenopause and menopause.
"All of the above affects a woman's concentration, mood and strength, so we are initially in a worse position to advance professionally and ensure our financial security." In order to be on par with men's careers and finances, we decided to invest twice as much effort and work in addition to the real position and perception of the position of women in society (still) today."
A new phase of the wasting body
Ana is also one of the women who thought that her life would become simpler when she entered menopause, however, as she says, the first symptoms (after an irregular cycle) were pain in the joints and muscles, and she did not realize that it had anything to do with each other. When she complained to her mom, she said it was all in the package of the new phase of the body she was consuming.
As far as I have talked and read, the first symptoms are individual, it is likely that everyone starts from the weakest place. With me, it continued in order: slowing of the metabolism, night awakenings, insomnia, losing the shape of the figure, hot flashes that are so unpleasant that the woman wishes not to leave the house, because she does not want anyone to see her when it happens.
"Sweats come and go literally without any of our control." I solved the matter by saying in every company I was in, "Excuse me, I have hot flashes, so I will dress and undress several times during the evening, so you don't think anything else."
Ana adds that she stopped the hot flashes (at least for now) with the poppy powder she drinks every day. A good friend told her that during menopause, muscle tone is lost and bones become weak, so she started lifting weights at home and drinking extra protein. Facial tone that falls under the force of gravity defies face yoga.
"I am also going through this period of my female life as a warrior. I am a big opponent of prolonging the cycle by taking hormones, and also of the cosmetic surgery that women use to rejuvenate and beautify themselves. We will all die, and some of us will be lucky and grow old, we should celebrate that bingo.
I adore all phases of my female body, even when they are the most difficult and worst in direct love communication with my femininity, which I always emphasize loudly. Our bodies are exciting and interesting in their changes and we should be proud to talk about them. Thank you to all the older sisters who prepare us and warn us of the dangers that exist if we let ourselves go and indulge in this entry into old age, and thank you to the younger sisters who ask loudly, says Ana Rodić for the "Vreme" portal.
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