The Benefits Of Menopause. No, Really

I've heard plenty about the downsides of menopause: hot flashes, vaginal dryness, brain fog, weight gain—the list goes on. But the last thing I want to do is dwell on the negative. Are there any silver linings that can help me embrace this life transition?

Sincerely,
"Looking For The Sunny Side"

As someone who recently went through menopause myself, I can tell you firsthand that the transition is a life-changer. And I won't sugarcoat it: Not all the changes are welcome, but they’re not all terrible, either.

I remind all my patients that it's normal to feel different when you're going through menopause. After all, your body's declining production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone don't just cause your periods to become irregular and eventually stop. The shift can also lead to symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, vaginal dryness, painful sex, decreased libido, mood swings, brain fog, and weight gain.

That list might sound intimidating, but those same hormone changes can also come with perks, some of which my patients don't expect. These include:

No more periods. Yes, your periods might feel like a rollercoaster for a while. But once they stop, you're done. No more bloating or mood swings the week before, no more worrying about whether you brought enough tampons, and no more cramping or fatigue on those heavy days. And if your periods were heavy enough to cause anemia and low iron, those issues can be a thing of the past.

Pregnancy concerns are in the past. Birth control? No longer necessary after your periods have stopped completely. Stressing over unexpectedly being late? Not anymore.

Smoother mammograms. Dense breast tissue, which is more common in women of reproductive age, can make it more difficult to read mammograms. That can lead to stressful callbacks for additional imaging tests. The good news is that breast tissue tends to become fattier and less dense as we age, making it easier for your radiologist to read and interpret your scan the first time around.

Fewer migraines. If you suffer from migraine attacks, you might notice that hormone fluctuations that occur around your period are a common trigger. Once these fluctuations even out after menopause, your migraines might decrease or even stop altogether.

Most importantly, I like to look at menopause as an opportunity to start putting yourself first. Many of my patients spend their reproductive years caring for others. Now's the time to take your needs off the backburner, whether that means dedicating time for daily exercise, pursuing that hobby you've always wanted to try, or having more open conversations with your partner about sex.

It's also a chance to start advocating for yourself. We have effective therapies for managing challenging symptoms like hot flashes or vaginal dryness. So let your doctor know if you're struggling. Getting the right treatment will help you feel better physically—and the sense of empowerment that comes from speaking up about your health may end up being just as rewarding.

• Trying to conquer menopause? Here’s where to start.
• Learn about some menopause treatment options.
• What early-onset menopause feels like.