There are lots of misconceptions out there. We asked experts about the biggest offenders.
Inescapable hot flashes. Hormonal chaos. Sexless partnerships. Such stereotypes of menopause are deeply ingrained, and few are fully accurate.
Menopause can produce symptoms in many parts of the body, and sometimes in unexpected ways, said Rebecca Thurston, an assistant dean for women’s health research and a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh.
We asked gynecologists, endocrinologists, urologists and other experts about the biggest menopause misconceptions they had encountered. Here’s what they want patients to know.
Myth 1: It’s just hot flashes.
Hot flashes are a menopausal hallmark: Up to 80 percent of women have them. But numerous lesser-known symptoms are also linked to menopause, including insomnia, mood changes, brain fog, vaginal dryness, joint pain and more.
That’s largely because menopause is driven by changing levels of estrogen, which affects all tissues. During perimenopause, the years leading up to one’s final menstrual period, estrogen fluctuates wildly. After menopause, it settles at a low level.
Unfortunately, many people don’t know the full range of symptoms this process can cause, said Dr. JoAnn Manson, an endocrinologist and professor at Harvard Medical School. That means they may not realize a symptom is menopause-related, which can mean missing out on helpful treatments.