Understanding Menopause: Common Symptoms and Lack of Conversation

Menopause, a natural biological process, is often misunderstood or not openly discussed. Perimenopause, the phase leading up to menopause, can last for several years and is characterized by symptoms such as hot flashes, irregular periods, mood swings, decreased libido, and vaginal dryness. The actual menopause is defined as going 12 consecutive months without menstruation. The average age of menopause is 51, and after that, women enter the post-menopausal stage. Despite the significant impact on women's lives, discussions about menopause have been limited. Generational shifts are now breaking the silence, with younger generations normalizing open conversations about menopause. Hormone therapy can be an option for managing symptoms, with systemic hormones and topical estrogen providing relief for vaginal dryness. However, the lack of education and awareness surrounding menopause in medical schools and society as a whole still hinders progress.