Menopause is a normal condition that every woman experience as she ages. In clinical terms, menopause is divided into three stages; perimenopause, menopause and post menopause.

Perimenopause is the stage before the last menstrual period when hormones start to fluctuate, causing various symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Menopause is last menstrual period marking the end of reproductive period and post menopause is the stage a woman enters after passing through perimenopause and menopause.

Menopause is not a one-size-fits-all event as menopause affects each woman differently. Some women reach natural menopause with little to no trouble wherein others have severe symptoms. For instance, symptoms like vaginal dryness, decreased libido, urinary incontinence, mood swings, anxiety, fuzzy thinking and depression are all symptoms that many women report when the menopause transition hits, yet many women don’t tell anyone.

Isolation, particularly during stressful life experiences, has never been recommended for our health and happiness. Going through menopause in isolation is no exception. Consulting a doctor when bodily changes occur is the norm but seeking help from friends or family when the physical changes are deeply personal is equally important for the overall wellbeing.

Seeking Family Support During Menopause

Various studies and findings suggest that menopausal symptoms vary across different substages. Moreover, higher family support and resilience are significantly associated with fewer menopausal symptoms, which might be helpful for gynecologists to identify these symptoms and provide appropriate support, medical care and counselling.

Seeking support during menopause from your family and friends is just as important as considering the many options for symptom relief. And, not having support from family and friends during menopause is like trying to drive a car without steering. The most important aspect of sharing and talking about your menopause experience with your family is brainstorming for solutions to relieve symptoms.

Tips to Support A Family Member in Menopause

Educate Yourself: Educating yourself about everything related to menopause will help understand the symptoms better.

Talk: Communication is the key to show support. Talking and listening will help them deal with menopause, feeling loved and taken care of. Asking “what’s the best thing I can do to help you get through this?” will show that you care and will support her through this phase of life.

Be Patient: Patience is vital for both short and long term. Being patient when she seems sad or angry will go a long way. The message you send when you are patient is, “this isn’t going to last forever.”

Don’t Personalize Her Moods: If she gets upset, don’t turn her upset into your upset. She can be angry, sad, or frustrated, and you can listen to her without personalizing the incident.

Believe Her: This can be a really trying time, so if your wife or mother says she is doing the best she can, believe it. Sometimes women feel fragile and hardly know themselves during the menopause years.

Offer to Help: Offering to help with the daily chores or any task will ease the pressure and constant feeling of lethargy. This can keep her from feeling overwhelmed.

Help Her Get the Sleep She Needs: Insomnia is very common during menopause. Ensure that the temperature and lighting are perfect so that she can get some real sleep. A good night’s sleep will help her mood tremendously.

Support Her Health: Getting started on an exercise plan is easier if you have company. Offer support in signing up for a new workout program or any other activity.

Buck up Her Self-Confidence: Physical symptoms during menopause can be belittling and self-confidence can take a hit. Skin and hair changes, weight gain and incontinence may make it difficult for women to be their flamboyant self. Constant reminders of their worth and importance will help build confidence and self-worth.

Help Her Limit Guilt: Anxiety and guilt are very common with menopause. Feeling doubtful or irritable may increase the guilt factor. Try to avoid adding to the guilt she’s likely already carrying around by being supportive and available.

Not every woman will need extensive support through menopause. Many will, at least, need a little boost from time to time. Your intentions mean a lot and just knowing that you want to support her will go a long way.

Remember, every woman in menopause needs patience, friendship and lots of laughter. She needs to be reminded that “your life is waiting for the second chapter and there is so much more to experience after this change”!!