September is Menopause Awareness Month

By: Red Hot Mamas

Published: September 15, 2021

Did you know that?

  • In the US, 6,000 women reach menopause every day
  • By the year, 2020, it is estimated there will be 46 million women who are over the age of 55
  • The average woman has more than one-third of her life ahead of her after menopause

I’ve always told women to “take charge of menopause, before it takes charge of them“.  Many women are challenged by menopausal symptoms.  What is important is to focus on what you can control.  Shift your attention to problem solving.  And, how do you problem solve, or as I say “take charge of menopause”, it’s by changing your thinking away from “I can’t do it” to committing yourself to learning to learning more about what to expect when menopause arrives and how to best manage its course.

And, remember, menopause isn’t a disease.  It’s a natural event that occurs in women.  Some women sail through menopause without any symptoms, while others will seek treatment in order to manage moderate to severe symptoms they may be experiencing.

During the perimenopausal years, our ovaries contain fewer eggs and estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate dramatically.  This causes symptoms to appear.  Some common symptoms include: irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, problems sleeping, memory and concentration issues, mood swings, weight gain and vaginal dryness.

There are a wide variety of treatment options available to help manage your symptoms.  It’s important to work with your health care provider as there is no one size fits all treatment.  We are all unique and the treatment offered to you should be based on your symptoms, your medical history and your personal preferences.  Also, it’s important to monitor this treatment regularly.

So, keep learning all you can about menopause during September!  And, remember seek out education and support through our Red Hot Mamas programs which are offered in hospitals across the US.  Gather information on our website www.redhotmamas.org and subscribe to our monthly e newsletter “The Menopause Minute”.  For support, join Red Hot Mamas community forum on www.inspire.com.  And find a certified menopause clinician on www.menopause.org.