Debunking Common Myths About Menopause

Menopause affects such a large portion of the population — nearly all women, as well as some people assigned female at birth — that it’s surprising so many myths remain in circulation. Do you have the real facts when it comes to menopause?

Dr. Leonardo Longoria and the team at Longoria OBGYN provide ongoing support to patients approaching or undergoing menopause. If you’re worried about menopause, check in with Dr. Longoria at his El Paso, Texas, practice and make sure you haven’t been misinformed about this part of women’s health.

Let’s review some common myths about menopause, and clear up misconceptions with accurate information. You deserve the truth when it comes to this significant women’s health topic!

Myth: Menopause always occurs in your 50s

Fact: Menopause tends to happen in the later part of women’s lives, but the onset of menopause varies. Many women in the United States reach menopause during their 50s, but your menopause may come sooner or later than this. It’s not always predictable.

If you have a hysterectomy or are treated for cancer, your menopause may begin early.

There’s a period of your life prior to full menopause known to women’s health professionals as perimenopause. Perimenopause can last for months or years. During this time, hormonal changes associated with menopause are ongoing, but you may still have spotty or irregular periods.

Myth: Your sex life ends after menopause

Fact: Menopause means the end of your fertility, not your sexuality. However, the physiological and life-stage transitions of this time of life may leave you struggling to feel sexy.

As you approach menopause, your body’s natural production of the hormone estrogen slows down. As a result, you may experience symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and loss of genital moisture. This can all negatively impact your sex life.

The truth is, your sexuality continues to be an important part of you. You might need to make some adjustments as part of menopause to enjoy an ongoing, complete sex life, such as talking with your partner about different approaches to intimacy, using lubricant, and addressing menopause symptoms with hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Myth: Your menopause symptoms are impossible to treat

It’s a fact that menopause symptoms can be intrusive and may start to wreak havoc on your peace of mind and life balance. But, it’s not true that you just have to live with menopause symptoms.

Talk to Dr. Longoria about your perimenopause and menopause experience, and learn more about adjustment, interventions, therapies, and treatments that can help you feel better, more balanced, and more like yourself as you go through this time of change.

Dr. Longoria can recommend prescription medications, psychological support, and lifestyle changes to keep you healthy, balanced, and thriving throughout menopause. Treatments like HRT can relieve your symptoms and improve your wellness.

To learn more about the reality of menopause, not the myths, consult with Dr. Longoria and our team of gynecological care experts today. Schedule your initial consultation appointment online or over the phone now.