Attention Husbands, You can support your Partner during Menopause!

Menopause, referred to as ‘the change of life’, is the cessation of menstruation (monthly periods) in a woman for more than one year. It is a natural process and marks the end of her reproductive years. Most women reach menopause between 45 – 55 years of age, the average being around 51. Menopause before the age of 40 is called ‘premature menopause’ and before the age of 45 is called ‘early menopause’.

 

As a woman approaches menopause, the production of her ‘female’ hormones estrogen & progesterone, starts to slow down. Hormone levels tend to fluctuate, and she notices changes in her menstrual cycle such as:

    • Period cycles may become longer, shorter or totally irregular.
    • Reduced or heavy bleeding

and she may often need doctor’s advice.

Most women experience few or many symptoms listed below:

    • Hot flushes
    • Mood swings
    • Sweating at night
    • Pains
    • Itching
    • Forgetfulness
    • Headaches
    • Irritability
    • Reduced sex drive (libido)
    • Tiredness
    • Disturbed sleep (difficulty to fall asleep or waking up frequently during night)
    • Increased frequency of urination
    • Vaginal dryness
    • Discomfort during sexual intercourse.

During this phase, the role of her family, especially her husband, is very important.

Many men want to support their partner, but they are clueless about how to go about it. They should know that not all women may have negative emotions about this phase of life.  Some women may look forward to this transition and feel strong, happy, or hopeful. They may feel that their life experiences have made them competent, successful, wise and indispensable. Others may have negative emotions. Such women may feel that they lack sex appeal and are old, unattractive, or dispensable.

Here are a few steps that husbands should take to support their wives during this very crucial phase of her life:

    • Know about menopause: To help in relating to the issues faced by their partner.
    • Communicate with her: To convince her that he is by her side to get through the problem.
    • Have patience: As her problem will take its time to get resolved.
    • Don’t mirror her behaviour: She may often be sad, angry, frustrated, irritated or demotivated. At that time her partner’s actions should only be aimed at making her feel comfortable.
    • Help her: Sharing some of the day-to-day chores will go a long way to make her feel overwhelmed.
    • Be appreciative: Honest words of admiration often do the trick. She should be told what she means to her partner.
    • Help her get good sleep: Sleeplessness is very common during menopause. Avoiding late working hours, parties or television shows can help her get enough sleep time.
    • Physical activity: Go for a walk or gym together.
    • Sex on her demand: Due to menopause, she may experience reduction in libido, discomfort or even pain.

She should be encouraged to consult a doctor for a solution. Apart from these, some changes in her diet can do wonders!

 

Help her by making her eat a lot of soya proteins. They mimic estrogen hormone and help in easing her symptoms.

 

Some exercise, incorporation of a healthy diet, especially foods rich in antioxidants, calcium supplements rich in soy-isoflavones, multivitamins and minerals will also help to a great extent.

 

Remember, by just knowing that he wants to support her, will go a long way!!!