Here Are 5 Things Men Should Know About Menopause | It Will Help Them Understand What Women Are Going Through

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on September 17, 2021. It has since been updated.

For those who don't know, yes, there are those who don't know - menopause is a stage when a woman's menstrual cycles end once and for all! It takes time for a woman to get there, and the journey is difficult, filled with ups and downs, therefore it really helps if the men in their lives are familiar with their agony. 

Per The Mayo Clinic, a person is diagnosed with menopause only a year after they go period-free. Perimenopause, on the other hand, means “around menopause.” It’s also known as the menopause transitional phase, according to Healthline. 

The entire time during the transition is going to be hard, and it would help women if they had a shoulder to lean on, so men, here are five things to keep in mind if a loved one is going through menopause. 

1. It is not the same for every woman

Just how everyone has a body unique to them, their menopause journey will also be different. If one person has a seemingly easy journey towards menopause, the other might not have it the same way. 

2. It doesn't start and end in one day

This is a process that begins a few years after your menstrual cycle first begins. Only when a woman goes period-free for over a year, can she say for sure that she's menopausal. So, even if they get their period, 10 months after their last cycle, they will have to wait a whole year again!

3. It's not better than a period

Sure, nothing sounds better than getting rid of those painful cramps and all that blood, but, some women go through a lot when their periods stop completely. Again, it differs from person to person, but it may not be the best thing to happen. 

4. Be prepared for some physical changes

With menopause comes physical symptoms like headaches, vaginal dryness, and changes in your hair. Weight gain, especially around the abdomen, is also a very common symptom of the condition. Bear with them, men, they're trying to learn to accept their new body, and sometimes their patience can wear thin. 

5. The PMS doesn't disappear overnight

When your periods end for good, it should mean your PMS is done with, too, right? Well, no. For some women, it's like they're constantly PMS-ing, with major mood swings and hot flashes. 

So, men, now that you know what to expect, you could try to be nicer to them, because they're going through a lot. Embrace and accept her for who she is as a person, and not for what she looks like, because this too, shall pass. 

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397

https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/difference-perimenopause#Overview

Cover Image Source (Representative): Getty Images | Анастасия Фризен