Is menopause to blame for increased friction in your relationship? Chances are, you may not be the only one feeling that way. A study among men whose partners were experiencing symptoms of menopause revealed that 56% of them felt that menopause was negatively impacting their relationship. And the symptom that created the most trouble with their partner? Moodiness.
Not everyone will experience menopause the same way, but these symptoms and more may be contributing factors to relationship troubles during menopause:
- Feeling more irritable or anxious
- Experiencing frequent mood swings (including anger and rage)
- Lacking interest for things you once enjoyed (maybe even intimacy and sex)
- Suffering from low energy and fatigue, vaginal dryness and pain
- Lacking confidence due to body shape and/or weight
With so many of us not knowing what to expect in menopause ourselves, it’s unfair to think our partners can even begin to understand. And while this may be a hard pill to swallow, they won’t know one bit about how you are feeling unless you tell them! We’ve gathered below our most popular resources for supporting yourself and your relationships through menopause.
How to care for you and your relationships through menopause
- Communicate. We know open communication is the key to making any relationship work, so don’t stop now. To help you get the conversation started, pass along the tips found in our article, Menopause Help For Husbands.
- Share your needs. As you adjust to the changes you are experiencing, others may be noticing changes in you as well. Share these 10 tips for how to support someone through menopause.
- Tackle your mood swings head on. Learn 5 tips for how to keep emotions and mood swings in check.
- Revisit sex in menopause. Partnered or unpartnered, rethinking your approach to sex may be called for in midlife. Check out our sex advice for menopause.
- Rev your libido. Learn about the two types of desire, along with the seven steps to get your sex life back on track.
- Find your support system. It’s always easier to get through challenging times with a trusted group of friends. Menopause is no different.
- Care for your whole self. Many women don’t realize that their post-reproductive years marks a pivotal time in their overall health. As estrogen declines, not only do menopausal symptoms ensue, but its protective benefits also are on the downslope. Midlife marks a time where many women may see increases in their cholesterol and/or receive diagnosis of prediabetes, and it’s a critical time to be aware of any familial history of osteoporosis. Speak with a menopause specialist to learn about the treatments that may relieve your menopause symptoms as well as support your long-term health.
If you have questions about menopause, you can get all your answers in one place. Gennev’s team of OB/GYNS are menopause experts, and will help you understand your symptoms and offer solutions. Book a telehealth visit, and access evidence-based treatments including prescription and natural therapies that cater to your individual needs.
The information on the Gennev site is never meant to replace the care of a qualified medical professional. Hormonal shifts throughout menopause can prompt a lot of changes in your body, and simply assuming something is “just menopause” can leave you vulnerable to other possible causes. Always consult with your physician or schedule an appointment with one of Gennev's telemedicine doctors before beginning any new treatment or therapy.
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