When we talk about menopause, the conversation usually starts and ends with hot flushes, night sweats and sleepless nights. These symptoms are real and can be exhausting, but they are only part of the story. Menopause is an important transition in a woman’s life, and one that deserves more attention, more understanding and more open conversation.
What happens during menopause?
Menopause is reached when a woman has not had a period for 12 months. This usually happens around the early fifties. In the years leading up to it, known as perimenopause, the ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen. This hormone does far more than regulate the menstrual cycle. It also plays a role in protecting our bones, supporting heart health and keeping the tissues of the vaginal and urinary tract healthy.
This is why the effects of menopause can go well beyond hot flushes. Women may notice:
- Disturbed sleep, low mood, anxiety or difficulty concentrating
- Joint aches and changes in energy levels
- Vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms
- Bone loss, which speeds up after menopause and can increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures in later life
Not every woman experience all of these, and some changes, such as bone loss, happen silently without any symptoms at all. That is why understanding what is going on in your body matters.
We are living longer – so we spend more years after menopause
Women today are living longer than ever before. Life expectancy for women in Malta is now in the mid-80s, which means that many of us will spend a third of our lives, or more, after menopause. The question is no longer just how long we live, but how well we live those years.
Looking after yourself at all stages of menopause
The good news is that women do not have to simply put up with troublesome symptoms, and there is a lot that can be done at every stage, from perimenopause through to the years after menopause. Looking after your health may include:
- Staying active. Regular movement, including strength and weight-bearing exercise, supports your bones, muscles, heart and mood.
- Eating well. A balanced diet with enough calcium, protein and vitamin D supports bone and general health.
- Prioritizing sleep and managing stress. Good sleep habits and time to switch off can make a real difference to how you feel.
- Avoid smoking and limiting alcohol. Both can make symptoms worse and add to long-term health risks.
- Keeping up with regular health checks. Blood pressure, cholesterol, bone health and routine screening become even more important as we age.
Beyond lifestyle, there are various medical options available, and many of them are natural, like Femarelle. There is no single approach that suits everyone, and what is right for one woman may not be right for another.
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist
If menopausal symptoms are affecting your daily life, or if you simply want to understand how to protect your health as you get older, do not wait. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist, who can discuss the options that are appropriate for you.
Living longer is important – living well for longer is what really matters
Menopause is not the end of anything. It is a stage of life, and with the right information and support, it can be the start of a healthier, more informed chapter. This World Menopause Day, take a moment to check in with yourself, start the conversation and make your health a priority.
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