‘We’re taking ownership of this stage of our lives’
Who’s letting the menopause get in the way of busy, active lives? Not us, says GH health director Julie Powell This generation of women is ageing differently. Just go back 30 years. Almost certainly women then looked older, plus they probably weren’t juggling family, home and work in the way that many of us are now. Today, women not only live longer, but our expectations about how we age have changed.
Today, whether it’s yoga, Zumba or Pilates, switching to a Mediterranean-style diet, cutting back on sugar or taking a supplement such as vitamin D, we have the information and the tools to stay youthful and healthy, should we so choose. We are also increasingly questioning old taboos and negative ‘past it’ stereotypes about the menopause and our sex lives.
Spearheaded by high-profile women like Kirsty Wark, Lorraine Kelly, Liz Earle and Carol Vorderman – who have shared their personal menopause experiences – we are taking ownership of this stage of our lives. Brain fog, hot flushes and mood swings are no picnic – but from boardroom to bedroom, silence and embarrassment are beginning to be replaced with a new openness. Now more and more companies and organisations, such as Unison, are issuing menopause guidelines for employers, and West Midlands Police has held menopause training sessions for managers. As the chief medical officer for England, Dame Sally Davies, recently said, ‘The menopause is a natural
65%
of GH readers work out at least two or three times a week
part of life. Women should feel as comfortable discussing menopausal symptoms as they would any other issues in the workplace.’
There is also more information to help us make informed choices about the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and exciting new research funded by the charity Wellbeing of Women shows cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help with flushes, mood swings and concentration.
Physical intimacy remains important for older women, too. In a recent survey, Good Housekeeping readers said they had sex at least once a week, and that sex without the constraints of periods and pregnancy can be life-affirming and fun. While menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness will make intercourse uncomfortable, vaginal oestrogen and lubricants can allow us to continue enjoying great sex in our 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond.
Most of us also say we are healthier and are doing our best to stay that way. A ‘now or never’ approach means many of us are embracing exercise in our sixth decade like never before, pushing ourselves to run marathons, hold that plank or downward dog.
So hallelujah! While there are challenges – dementia and breast cancer still scare us – there’s lots to celebrate. Pass the Lycra (and the lube!) because mid-age has never felt or looked this good!