2024-10-26 16:00:00
Beliefs, popular sayings and thoughts revolve around menopause which are not always correct. Clarifying them is a way to remove the taboo on this natural phase of women.
Last update: October 26, 2024
Hot flashes are inevitable, the sexual desire that disappears after the age of 50 cannot be recovered, hormone replacement therapy is dangerous… These and other statements impose themselves in the lives of women, without them being able to be clear on whether they are when faced with truths or myths about menopause.
Lucia Yturriaga, founder of Femininity Projectworks to counter the misinformation that circulates about a period of life that should not be stigmatized. From his personal experiences, he understood this There is a lack of spaces, professionals and initiatives that provide women with complete and quality support and assistance.
This is why we spoke to her, who supported the data with Dr. Bárbara Fernández del Basgynecologist and sexologist, to dispel the most widespread myths about menopause. Some data will surprise you.
Not all menopausal women experience hot flashes
Perhaps, in popular culture, hot flashes or hot flashes are the symptom most associated with menopause. However, even if it is estimated that 75% of women will have themthere are two out of ten who never hear them.
«Every body is different and menopause manifests itself in different ways,” clarifies Lucía Yturriaga. And adds: «“Some women will have mild hot flashes, others will feel them more intensely, and still others won’t feel them at all.”
It is also important to understand that the symptom is not uncontrollable. Today we know several strategies that reduce hot flashes or reduce the risk of them interfering with daily life.
Sexual desire can be reactivated
According to Yturriaga, the Embarrassment and discomfort in talking about the topic cause low libido to be misdiagnosed. There is a silence around the topic that makes an adequate approach difficult.
The truth is, although more than half of women report a decrease in sexual desire during menopause, it doesn’t completely go away. It just needs more work and dedication to get its reactivation.
And how to do it? The founder of Womanhood highlights the following aspects:
- Expand your view of sex. It should not be reduced to intercourse alone, since pleasure does not depend solely on genitality.
- Communicate with the couple. Talking about what we like, our needs and our concerns can completely transform the sexual experience.
- Reconnect with the autoeroticism. Reading erotic literature, enjoying caresses in moments of solitude or simply discovering what we like is a way to get in touch with our body.
- Psteal new things. Sometimes the lack of desire comes from routine. Experimenting with toys or exploring new forms of intimacy can naturally resurrect your libido.
- See your doctor to evaluate your options. There are treatments that can help and one of them is testosterone. It is possible on medical prescription effective for improving libido in some women.
- Don’t be afraid to use lubricants. The vaginal dryness of menopause can make sexual intercourse uncomfortable. Water-based lubricants increase comfort and contribute to relaxation during sex.
“Hormonophobia” limits the medical use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
For Lucía Yturriaga, the data speaks clearly and indicates a widespread fear towards the use of hormone therapies during menopause. According to the data you share with us, 20 years ago 20% of menopausal women used hormone replacement therapy, while today the percentage is just 4%.
«In Spain, 1.6 million women over 50 have a worse quality of life due to misinformation and abandonment of these treatments”, she tells us. And she continues: “In women without additional risks, hormone replacement therapy helps prevent fractures , insomnia, hot flashes and cardiovascular and cognitive health problems.”
The therapy gained a bad reputation two decades ago. The study Women’s Health Initiative of 2002 and the Study on millions of women of 2003 associated its use with health risks. However, currently, 21 scientific societies have published a consensus document stating that, when appropriately prescribed, before the age of 60, HRT can improve quality of life and relieve the symptoms of menopause.
Yturriaga recommends that every woman talk to her doctor and seek information from specialists who know the topic. Misinformation can limit access to greater well-being.
Women over 50 can do strength training
For a long time, cardiovascular exercise was only recommended for people over the age of 50 or 60. The routines were based on a walk, swim or cycle.
Today we understand that the best thing is a global approach and a routine that includes different aspects of exercise. The founder of Womanhood therefore proposes three dimensions to work on during menopause:
- Force: to maintain muscle mass and bone health. You can lift weights and work with resistance to prevent problems such as osteoporosis.
- Elasticity and balance: yoga and pilates, for example, which improve flexibility and body control. It’s a way to prevent accidents.
- Cardiovascular: Him cardio It is still important to take care of your overall health.
“During menopause we must stay active, since exercise is the best supplement we can offer our body,” says Lucía Yturriaga (photo).
Gaining weight is not inevitable
«When women enter menopause, they typically gain about half a kilo a year”, confirms Lucía Yturriaga. But this increase is not the sole responsibility of hormonal changes. She explains that aging itself and a less active lifestyle are important factors .
The decrease in estrogen exists and contributes to the accumulation of fat in the abdominal area. However, there is a loss of muscle mass as we agewhich causes the body to burn calories more slowly.
If you continue to eat the same things as before and don’t change your level of physical activity, your slower metabolism and reduced muscle mass can lead to weight gain.
Lucia Yturriaga
The key, according to his proposal, it’s inside adapt habits. Regular exercise and adjusting your diet are essential. As it reminds us, the risk linked to being overweight cannot be underestimated, as it is associated with an increased risk of suffering from breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and osteoarthritis.
Quality information to live better
“It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the amount of misinformation that exists about menopause,” says Lucía Yturriaga. Especially when you’re in the midst of symptoms. Therefore, he believes so It is essential to seek reliable and professional sources who understand this phase.
Her message is for women not to be afraid ask questions, ask for a second opinion and even change doctors if they are not convinced. There is no point in settling if you perceive that you are not in good hands.
“Don’t accept less than you deserve and make sure decisions about your health are based on solid, personalized information,” says Yturriaga. This is why there are spaces like Womanhood.
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