It is something that all women experience at some point in their lives. But what do you really know about menopause? Hollywood has romanticised the midlife transition but in reality, it’s a time full of changes – some good and some not so good. Let’s take a look at the expectations versus the realities of menopause.

The word “menopause” can be intimidating, and it can create a lot of fear in perimenopausal women. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about what it will mean for your life.

Chances are you’ve heard or read some pretty wild stories about what to expect. But how much of it is true? Let’s take a look at the difference between expectations and reality when it comes to menopause.

Expectation #1: Hot Flashes Will Last Forever

The truth is, although hot flashes can last for a few years, they usually don’t last forever. In fact, most women find that their hot flashes start to subside after the first year or two. That said, while they may not last forever, they can still be very uncomfortable and unpleasant. If you’re having trouble dealing with hot flashes, talk to your doctor about ways to manage them.  And don’t forget, lots of women don’t even get them.

Expectation #2: Mood Swings Are Unavoidable

Chances are you’ve heard horror stories about perimenopausal women who suddenly become emotional time bombs but this isn’t necessarily true. While many women do experience mood swings during menopause, there are also plenty of ways to manage them. Exercise can be a great way to reduce stress levels and keep your moods in check. Eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep can also help you stay balanced emotionally throughout menopause.

Expectation #3: Your Sex Drive Will Disappear

This is perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions out there when it comes to menopause—and it’s simply not true.  Many women actually find that their sex drive increases during menopause as hormone levels fluctuate and their bodies adjust to the changes that occur during this time in life. So don’t believe everything you read as your sex drive may actually improve during menopause!

Expectation #4: You’ll Take Control Of Your Life

Menopause can be a great time for self-reflection and taking control of your life, but it isn’t always easy. Between managing new health issues like weight gain or insomnia, dealing with hot flashes during public appearances, or just trying to figure out a new routine with fewer hormones in the mix, it’s hard to stay focused on yourself when so much else is going on around you. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t possible, just make sure you’re staying organised and setting aside time for yourself each day where possible.

Expectation #5: You’ll Have More Energy

Unfortunately, menopausal women don’t necessarily have more energy than premenopausal women; they may just have different energy sources. As oestrogen levels decline during perimenopause (the stage before menopause), women often feel exhausted from interrupted sleep patterns or increased stress levels due to hormonal changes. This exhaustion can lead to feelings of depression or anxiety which further drain energy levels. To combat this issue try creating consistent daily routines (from diet to exercise), making sure you get enough restful sleep every night and learning relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation (which also come with added benefits).

Expectation #6: Menopause is just one day when your period stops.

Menopause is actually a process that begins years before your period stops and lasts through post-menopause. During this time, you may experience physical and emotional changes as your hormone levels start to fluctuate. So while that one day when your period stops may mark the official transition into menopause, it’s important to remember that the journey started long before then.

Expectation #7: You will feel like yourself again after menopause ends.

As odd as it may sound, many women report feeling different after menopause than they did before it began. This could be due to physical changes (like reduced collagen production or difficulty sleeping) or emotional ones (like depression or anxiety). It’s important to keep in mind that these feelings are normal—you don’t have to go through them alone. There are plenty of resources out there for support, such as support groups and therapists who specialize in treating perimenopausal women.

Expectation #8: You won’t need contraception after menopause begins. 

Unfortunately, this isn’t always accurate, in fact, you may still need contraception even after menopause has begun. While it is true that fertility decreases during perimenopausal years, pregnancy is still possible until you reach post-menopausal age (typically 12 months after your last period). So if you don’t want any surprises down the line, it’s best to talk to your doctor about which contraceptive methods are right for you!

Menopause has a lot of myths surrounding it, some of which are more true than others. But no matter what anyone tells you about what “should” happen during this period in your life, always remember that every woman’s experience is different and unique. Don’t let expectations dictate your experience; instead embrace the changes happening in your body and enjoy this new chapter in life.  It is often depicted as a time of rejuvenation and self-discovery in books and movies and while it certainly doesn’t always live up to that idealised version it can still be an incredibly rewarding experience if you’re willing to put in the effort required for success. By understanding expectations versus reality early on in the process you’ll be better equipped to handle any bumps along the way as well as find ways to make the most out of this unique transition period.

Menopause can be an intimidating concept but arming yourself with knowledge can help take some of the fear away. Remembering that menopause is a process rather than just one day can help reduce some of the pressure on yourself during this transition time in life. Knowing all of the potential physical and emotional changes that could occur can prepare you for what lies ahead, so don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek out additional resources if necessary! And finally, remembering that contraception may still be necessary even after you enter peri-menopausal age can help prevent any unwanted surprises along the way.   With all this information in mind, we hope you feel more empowered to tackle whatever comes next on your journey through menopause.