Burning Up: The Unspoken Struggle of Menopause
- *
Struggling Discussions Surrounding Menopause: Many Women Face Difficulties in Open Dialogue - Struggle with Menopause Discussions: "Many women find it hard to openly discuss it"
The room steams up as Sybille Müller, a 47-year-old woman, mops her brow, muttering about the non-existent air conditioning. "Blazing hot here, isn't it? Could someone crank up the AC or something?" she queries amidst an interview in her doctor's practice. With her charming, medium-length blonde tresses cascading down her back and her sleek black blazer gleaming, she cuts an exemplary figure. But appearances are deceiving - Müller has been tormented by persistent hot flashes for years, yet she's found temporary relief since she's started using hormone patches.
Menopause continues to be a hush-hush subject detested by many women, despite their silent sufferings. Sybille Müller, one of millions of women grappling with menopause in Germany, is a prime example. When the ovaries cease producing estrogen and progesterone - vital hormones - women may endure a host of unpleasant symptoms, such as hot flashes, nighttime disturbances, depression, vaginal dryness, and concentration issues. According to Thomas Strowitzki from Heidelberg University Hospital, about 30% of women experience only mild symptoms, while a staggering 50% feel the brunt of more severe symptoms during menopause.
The Red Elephant in the Room
So, why does such a widespread affliction remain so elusive in everyday conversation? "The ceasing of menses is the very first watershed moment in life marking the approach of our 'mortality,'" reveals Katrin Schaudig, President of the German Menopause Society. "Alas, fertility has now come to an end." This, in essence, revolves around aging - a process that is generally frowned upon in society. Moreover, women are prone to silently enduring pain and difficulties.
However, a much-needed change of perspective seems to be on the horizon. "I still hear from many women that they find it difficult to talk about," says Mandy Mangler, the chief physician at two Vivantes Auguste-Viktoria clinics in Berlin. "Despite the ongoing societal taboo, I must admit things are somewhat evolving." The media is increasingly embracing the topic, and it's finding a more prominent place in our conversations.
The Ample Nine Million: Unseen Giants
Currently, an estimated nine million women in Germany are experiencing menopause, with its onset typically appearing around age 45. Sybille Müller began the arduous journey at 40, facing persistent sleep disturbances, and at 43, she succumbed to unrelenting hot flashes. Rather than confiding in her gynecologist, she was left in the dark, with no blood tests or hormone checks performed - an experience that pushed her to seek the expert advice of Dr. Strowitzki.
Shedding Light on an Everyday Shadows
So, why is it so hard for women to speak freely about their menopausal woes? "Plainly speaking, menopause is an undeniable harbinger of the 'inevitable,'" muses Schaudig. "It hints at a loss of femininity." Society often regards aging as a no-no, perpetuating a cycle of stigmatization. Businesses, however, are slowly catching on to the issue and are increasingly offering women counseling services and resources specifically aimed at easing the transition through menopause.
Dr. Strowitzki, Medical Director of the Heidelberg Clinic for Gynecological Endocrinology and Fertility Disorders, has witnessed a steady rise in companies that recognize the significance of addressing menopause in the workplace. He plays an instrumental role in training and empowering workplaces to customize their environments so that affected women can thrive, thereby enhancing productivity and overall well-being.
Nature's Own Remedies
While hormonal supplements can undoubtedly make a profound impact, they aren't the only solution. Women can also take a more natural approach to managing menopausal symptoms - such as exercise, balanced nutrition, and Kneipp applications. Additionally, plant-based products, such as red clover, soy, and grapefruit seed extracts, can be vital aids in easing hot flashes, mood swings, and various menopausal symptoms.
But hormones might be absolutely essential for some women, with Dr. Strowitzki stressing that weighing benefits and risks is paramount. Habitual hormone usage beyond five years is said to increase the risk of breast cancer, as reported by the German Cancer Society. Nevertheless, hormones can bolster bone health, which is crucial for overall physical well-being.
Together, Müller and Dr. Mangler have shed light on the alternatives, potential, and significance of women during menopause—a stage of life that must be honored rather than dismissed. Here's to the nine million brave souls bravely navigating the rough waters of menopause, determined to turn a taboo topic into a time of empowerment and renewal.
- The dialogue around menopause, a widespread issue impacting millions of women, is long overdue in both private and public spheres. This silence, rooted in societal prejudices against aging and women's silent suffering, is detrimental to women's health-and-wellness, especially in regards to womens-health issues like menopause.
- With an increasing number of businesses incorporating community policies that include vocational training and resources for women during menopause, there's hope that this red elephant in the room will finally find its place in the spotlight. By embracing this often overlooked stage of life, we can turn it into a catalyst for women's personal and professional growth, instead of dismissing it as a mere part of nature.
