Little to nothing is talked about women before/in menopause and shared in public. It is still treated as a taboo or stigma.
Unfortunately, menopause is often stigmatized and misunderstood in many cultures and societies.
I intend to raise awareness of women who are moving through menopause, reduce the stigma, and highlight the support provided for moving through this time with grace.
Let's stop stigmatizing women in menopause and bring some light into this beautiful, necessary transitioning time for all of us women.
#1: Why Is This Topic So Important?
First, I would like to clarify: Menopause is not a disease. It is a natural part of women’s life and a transition into a new stage of life.
It is often viewed as an illness. Sometimes viewed as a sign of aging or a loss of femininity, which can lead to negative attitudes and discrimination toward women experiencing menopause.
I wished it would be more validated in public, workplaces, and relationships. I wish workplaces would offer more support for women who are transitioning into a new stage of life. I wished it would be seen as a natural life cycle like puberty.
Nature changes its seasons naturally every year, and nobody judges or discriminates nature for going through seasonal changes, right? We validate or even appreciate and welcome the seasonal changes, don’t we?
I wish it would be the same for us women being welcomed and celebrated in this new life-changing time because menopause is nothing different than changing seasons.
Some women may feel ashamed or embarrassed to discuss their menopausal symptoms with others, which is sad because it can prevent women from seeking help and support during this precious and essential time in a woman’s life.
Additionally, not talking about menopause and keeping it a secret hidden in the depth of a mountain can also contribute to a lack of education and awareness about menopause.
Consequently, it perpetuates the stigma surrounding this natural process.
#2: A little education about menopause
I’m not an opponent of traditional western medicine, but I’m a strong proponent of the natural, holistic health approach and a strong Advocate for Ayurvedic medicine - the only medical system focusing on the individual’s unique physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual constitution.
Unfortunately, the western approach to menopause is not a way of celebration. The western approach glorifies more productivity and youthfulness.
The western approach sees menopause mainly through the lens of disease because it is focused on pathology.
Even in psychology, it is listed in the DSM - 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), which I completely disagree with!
Fortunately, Ayurveda gave me an entirely new perspective. Ayurveda sees menopause as a natural cycle of life - think about it - a NATURAL cycle - it naturally belongs and comes into a woman’s life.
. Ayurveda says that the body starts to change naturally around age 40, and Ayurveda raises awareness about this new life cycle.
It cannot be avoided.
It cannot be bypassed!
It's like changing seasons - we move from summer to autumn.
And it's a bit like a natural farewell dance of hormones.
Ayurveda suggests stopping fighting it!
From a western medical perspective, Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years.
Menopause is caused by a decline in the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone by the ovaries.
As a result, women may experience a variety of physical and emotional symptoms during the menopausal transition, which has become normalized by societies nowadays, but honestly, it is NOT natural.
Often it is associated with symptoms such as:
👉🏻Hot flashes
👉🏻Mood swings
👉🏻Irritability
👉🏻Digestive issues
👉🏻Brain fog
👉🏻Vaginal dryness
👉🏻Low libido
👉🏻Hair loss
👉🏻Weight gain
👉🏻sleep disturbances
👉🏻night sweats
Perimenopause symptoms:
👉🏻Irregular periods
👉🏻Hot flashes
👉🏻Sleeping issues
👉🏻Vaginal dryness
👉🏻Low libido
👉🏻Mood swings
Yes, some women do show symptoms, but it doesn’t always need to be that way.
It’s most often because the body and mind are out of balance before the change comes. But only a few women know that those symptoms have been normalized by society and media, but they aren’t natural.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, we experience symptoms mostly because we’ve been off balance long before moving into this stage of life.
As a holistic system of medicine, Ayurveda does not focus on disease or pathology.
Because of this view, Ayurveda does not aim to treat or suppress symptoms but rather restore balance by getting to the root of the cause and eliminating the cause(s) of imbalance.
Ayurveda supports us women on this journey!
Heading #3: Does Perimenopause or Menopause stop you from enjoying life?
Are you experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above?
It is essential to recognize that menopause is a normal and natural part of a woman's life and that experiencing menopausal symptoms is not something to be ashamed of.
Again, neither perimenopause nor menopause is an illness or disease.
And the transition can be smooth!
This time can also be quite gentle and symptom-free.
It doesn’t have to be a time of suffering or a time when we become the victim of symptoms!
And if there are symptoms, then most likely because of a dysbalance in the body and mind.
It could start with hot flashes, sudden irregular cycles or shorter or longer cycles as usual, digestive problems, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and headaches.
Those are signals of the body being off balance.
Ayurveda offers beautiful lifestyle and nutritional tips that can bring us back into balance and make it a smooth, easier transition into a new stage of life!
Menopause only happens once in our lifetime. I want to invite you to a new perspective. I would love for us to also see menopause as an excellent opportunity for creating something new, and exploring new passions. A new stage in our life that offers new beginnings.
Ayurveda suggests enjoying perimenopause and menopause. And stop fighting it.
Like many transitions, the transition through menopause is a time and opportunity for growth and cultivating new passions!
I invite women to celebrate menopause as a rite of passage and get us curious about the evolution of our overall body!
Menopause is a challenging time for many women.
For this reason, it’s essential to reach out and find support systems!
I'm supporting women in perimenopause and menopause and offer six months or 12 months of Coaching/Counseling packages. Please reach out and send an email at ab@annabelle-breuer.com in case you would like to schedule a 15min complimentary call to clarify if I would be the ideal coach/counselor to guide you through this season of your life.
Wishing you well on your journey!
Love,
Annabelle
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