Preparing for Menopause
Women fear growing old. The prospect of wrinkles, body aches, fatigue and menopause adds to negative feelings about aging.
Whether you are 20, 35 or 47, you can better prepare for the aging process by reading this article. It will help you understand what to expect and how to cope successfully with this normal stage in life every woman will enter called “menopause.”
“I feel on edge. I can’t sleep or think clearly. My husband is tired of my forgetfulness. Sometimes I just fly off the handle for no reason. I am having trouble with sex. I don’t know what is happening to me? Could this be menopause?”
Nancy, age 52, sat limply in my office looking frustrated, worn-out and depressed. I have counseled many women with complaints like hers. Women complain of overwhelming symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause which impairs their emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health.
Surprisingly, in a recent BBC news article “Women are Happier after Menopause” it quoted a Jublilee Report where 76% of post-menopausal women said their health was better, 75% said they had more fun, and 93% said they had more independence and more choice in everything from work to leisure pursuits.
Most likely, you are feeling more like Nancy and are looking for answers to help you cope with the uncertain territory of peri-menopause and menopause. I want to provide you with information about what to expect when you begin experiencing menopausal symptoms and how you can more effectively handle this new stage of life.
What is menopause?
Menopause begins a new phase in a woman’s life, when in her 50′s, she stops having periods. Menopause is a natural biological event in which the menses stops when the function of the ovaries begins to cease. The process of menopause does not occur overnight, but rather it is gradual. This so-called peri-menopausal transition period is a unique experience for each woman and can begin when women are in their 40′s. A woman is in menopause when she has had no menstrual periods (menses) for 12 months and has no other medical reason for her menses to stop.
The early symptoms of menopause include abnormal vaginal bleeding, hot flashes and mood changes. Late symptoms consist of vaginal dryness, urinary problems, muscle and joint aches.
How to cope
I encourage women to take better care of themselves in every aspect of life: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
- Physical Wellness:
Because hormone levels are decreasing, there will be fluctuations in the symptoms women experience. Vaginal bleeding and hot flashes will come and go. There is no set time when these symptoms will stop. Some will experience symptoms for over a decade of their lives.Hormone or estrogen replacement therapy taken orally or applied topically may be prescribed by a doctor which can help alleviate symptoms of hot flashes and vaginal dryness. But, it is important to manage your own treatment and research the best kinds of medical or natural interventions. Recently, a research project discouraged the use of the combined hormone replacement therapy: estrogen and progesterone.Lifestyle changes should include quitting cigarette smoking, curtailing alcohol intake, exercising regularly, and consuming a balanced diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D. Such changes are beneficial for increasing physical wellness and preventing complications such as osteoporosis and heart disease. - Emotional and Mental Wellness:
When you are experiencing the symptoms of hormone loss, you will feel blue. This increases emotional fragility and a sense of low self-esteem. Deficiency in hormones and lack of sleep cause irritability, confusion and sadness, angry outbursts, tears and relational problems.While estrogen therapy may be recommended to help elevate mood, women should also incorporate natural methods of elevating mood such as lowering stress and increasing recreational and exercise programs. I encourage women to consider a new venture, career or learning a useful pursuit such as photography, writing or computer technology. I knew someone who finished her MSW when she was 55! Start participating in meaningful recreational and social activities. Begin hiking, biking, bird-watching, participating in a book club, or enjoying Christian ministry or new hobby.
- Spiritual Wellness:
This will bring the greatest stability when women enter this new stage of life. As a Christian. you can be certain that the Lord cares about you and understands your suffering. He will be your companion through this valley. Take more time to read Scripture, the Psalms and pray. This will help alleviate depression and anxiety caused by menopause. Memorizing Scripture can change your attitude about life.When the writer of Psalm 42:5 felt depressed, he talked to himself and told himself biblical truth about life, the future and God: “Why are you downcast o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? For I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my Lord.”Challenge your thinking and renew your mind according to the truth of Scripture in order to get God’s perspective on your life and experience a greater sense of wellness all-around.
Why not write out some goals to help you better manage the peri-menopausal/menopausal symptoms you are dealing with and consult with your physician about medical interventions? Determine to take better care of yourself and move forward in this new phase of life. You, too, may find that this stage is a happier experience for you as others have reported.
Finally, trust in the promises of God. Isaiah 58:11 says, “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
©2004 by Lynette J. Hoy, NCC, LCPC
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Thanks Paula, Renata and Barbara for stopping by and leaving your comments. You are so right Paula, to often we just don’t even know how to ask the Doctor and feel silly bringing it up. But I also really like what Barbara said that it is important when we go thru this stage of our lives that we take a proactive approach so we know what to expect and realize that we aren’t alone in what we are feeling.
Renata, take it from someone who has been there, it doesn’t last forever!! But I totally understand the feeling of memory loss and just feeling like you are getting old too soon. It helped me to know that others were going thru the exact same thing…I wasn’t the only one that had lost my mind! Talk to your Doctor though…there is a time and place for hormones and yours might be at that time.
This is a wonderful article and all that is found within it is sound advise. I am going through such stage of life at this time and taking a proactive approach to the inevitalbe “change of life” is wise to follow. Reading up on what to expect and tips to help us through is very, very important for not only do most of us juggle the menopause phase of life but many are experiencing the “empty nest” syndrome as well. What as worked for me at this vital stage of change and God preparing me for the next level of ministry in HIS kingdom is continuing on in education, writing, and taking balanced care of this vessel that He has given. Thanks again for this wonderful, helpful, well written article.
I feel like I am a mental case and I wonder if it gets better. My husband says I am a different person- depression and no ‘giving out’,I feel as well the normal trying hot flashes that are sometimes severe and overwhelming. I eat and drink healthy choices and exercise regularly and am a committed Christian. I was happy to find somewhere to ‘talk’ on a website to a Christian as the prospect of talking about such a weakness was hard and doctor isn’t helpful -too busy. And it is hard on my husband.I also have memory losses and feel as I am aging rapidly.A worry as I wanted to go back to educate myself after one more year or so.(I still have commitments with children) I am not wanting to take drugs even for the psychological symptoms. I can’t be crazy as I wasn’t before. And I don’t like the idea of joining a support group for depression where a whole lot of sick people talk- it might accentuate the problem. But lately wonder if hormones might help. I don’t trust that though. My last period was 6 months ago. I have moments of relief when I submit to God. I can be cheerful and engage with others, but it can feel false sometimes. Thanks for a Christian article that brings this out in the open. It is good to read that it isn’t for ever. Is that really true?
we’re scared about finding out or we just feel silly asking about it. Let’s face it, the only time we go to the doctor for ourselves (as opposed to our kids) is to have a pap smear and we’re so happy for that to be over, we forget to ask our doctor about anything else relating to our own health or emotional state for that matter! therfore I purchased online Home Check Menopause kit and i tested in the comfort of the home luckily i got the result to consult with doctor
So glad to hear that this article helped you Yvonne and Sandi. Sometimes it is really hard to know where to get a Christian perspective on things in our lives so we are here to help when we can. Blessings to you both.
I am 50 and have a few periods per year and not enjoying the hot flashes which are getting worse. After consulting with my doctor, I needed to get some Christian guidance on what I should or should not be doing. Thank you, this really does help!
I’m really encouraged from this site. I appreciate the insight. To God be the glory.
Isn’t it good to know that God is still in control, even when we go through these changes in our lives that for the most part are not at all welcome. As a woman who has progressed beyond menopause, let me assure all of you wonderful ladies that it does get better. But as in all things, we do have a choice as to how we respond along the way. Remember that God is in control, not perimenopause, or menopause. Also remember that His grace is always sufficient and will be through this as well.
Finally, we have wonderful online mentors who would love to pray for you and walk alongside of you on this journey. If you would like to speak to a godly woman who will correspond with you, just fill out the information on this page and someone will email you. http://powertochange.com/discover/talk-to-a-mentor/
It’s 11 days late today, I’ve never had that happen before. The most was 5-6 days.
It’s strange, kind of scary and because I’ve always exercised seems like
it shouldn’t even be happening. I’m struggling with my mid-section widening, dry
nails and having to really motivate myself to exercise now, which I’ve always loved. I don’t think I thought this would really happen to me, so I’m in a bit of
disbelief over it. Me…getting old? I would rather think of myself as 44 not 54.
So that’s what I’m going to do, my body can do whatever it’s going to do but I am
going to carry on anyways. I know it’s a normal process, so why should I be thinking it’s strange, scary or somehow not supposed to happen? I will, with God’s support get through and past this, without letting it conquer me.
Its good to see a Christian site that trys to help women with perimenopause , its something all women will experience , but not all women have the same symptoms , sometimes I feel so alone and feel strange at times and really sad , I pray and read alot of psalms , Borage oil helps ive found a natural aid remi phemen it helps at times a Christian Doctor http://www.askdrhelen.com/ heres the web site for dr Helen Pentzanti … will answer questions and help you with natural alternitives , Synthetic Hormone replacement is very dangerous , she offers an array of natural products Dr penzanti is awesome and has been on TBN , your not alone I am going through it , just know God has a plan for each of our lives , He will never leave us or forsake us ….
i am in perimentopause and i am not liking it, thank you for a christian persective
I just need a little boost
Thank you for this article. I’m 58 (my family is late with menopause)and have been having the most difficult year and a half I have ever encountered, (care-taking of elderly parent plus my own family) I have had many changes in my life and my physical problems with added hormonal changes has compounded the problem too. Your article confirmed to me, I was on the right track and I must keep it up. Thank you again.
Thank you! I needed to hear this wonderful Christian perspective. God bless you as you have blessed me.