5 Things Men Need To Know About Menopause

Men of the world, we know you care about us, so it’s time to brush up on your menopause.

It’s way more than just mood swings and hot flashes. Even though roughly half the world’s population is female, it often seems that men understand surprisingly little about menstruation and menopause. That’s not to say that all men have to fully understand menopause. And let’s face it, who really does but it could be helpful for the men that have a beautifully aging woman in your life to learn a little bit more of what’s going on with menopause.

Let’s get started with the basics. Menopause officially occurs when a woman stops having her menstrual cycle altogether. This is due to the decrease in the production of eggs as a woman ages, and the decline in the hormone estrogen as she ages. Regardless of the cause, here are five things every man should know about menopause:

1. Be prepared for the long haul.

Menopause is a process. Oh, you thought hitting menopause meant you’re in the clear? Think again, because menopause doesn’t just happen overnight. Menopause actually begins with perimenopause, which takes years. Menopause is a natural process that all women go through. It’s a normal part of aging that marks the end of the woman’s reproductive years. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, although it can occur earlier or even later.

2. Every woman experiences menopause different.

No woman and no menstrual cycle is ever alike. So it’s important for men to realize that not every woman will experience the same things in the same way women experience menopause differently. And the severity and duration of symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. Some women may have few symptoms, while others may have severe symptoms that last for years. In my case, I was hit with hot flashes, I was affected with mood swings, my sleep was disrupted and I experienced a decreased libido and these were things that my mother, for instance, didn’t experience. Well, she experienced the sleep issue, but not the hot flashes, not the other symptoms as badly as I did.

3. There will be physical changes that can be hard to handle.

Menopause can cause a wide range of symptoms including, like I mentioned, hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, vaginal dryness, and sleep problems. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and disruptive to a woman’s daily life and her partners.

4. Menopause can affect sex and intimacy.

Menopause can cause physical changes such as vaginal dryness and decreased libido, and that can impact sexual function and intimacy. It’s important for men to understand and be supportive during this time.

5. Menopause is not just a woman’s issue.

Although menopause is a natural process that only women go through, it can affect their partners, their families, their coworkers, and their friends as well. Men can play a supportive role by being empathetic and understanding during this transition.

So, men of the world, you’re not alone out there. We know that you have a lot to go through and putting up with us. We’ve been going through our changes and we’d really appreciate if you could support us a little bit more and be kind and a little bit more patient and understanding.