A Light-Hearted Rant…
I am on one today… Maybe a little hormonal, yes, but generally speaking I am just slightly peeved and have a lot on.
Remember those days when if you were feeling a bit off, the first invasive question you’d get was, “Are you pregnant?”
Firstly, how rude, right? There are so many reasons why that question is inappropriate, but not to discuss now. I have noticed a shift, once you hit a certain age, it’s “Are you perimenopausal?” Seriously, can we talk about this?
Misconceptions and Misdiagnoses
It’s incredibly frustrating when every health blip gets chalked up to menopause. You can’t even have a cold these days, without the question…
If you have got severe hormonal swings, moodiness, or irregular periods? That well-meaning but misguided question comes: “Have you thought about perimenopause?” This can overshadow other legitimate health concerns that need attention.
I am sure you have realised this is really frustrating me?
The Complexity of Women’s Health
Women’s health isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. It’s influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and pre-existing conditions. Take endometriosis, for example. It affects about 10% of women of reproductive age and can cause severe pain, irregular periods, and emotional ups and downs. These symptoms can stick around and even get worse as we age, but they aren’t necessarily signs of menopause.
I am one of these people who battles endometriosis and horrific periods and have since the age of 30 and hearing “You might be perimenopausal” is particularly grating. Maybe I am perimenopausal (I actually am not), but do I need to share it or announce it. I hate it when topics in the media become the hype of everything.
Age Isn’t Everything
There are other culprits too, like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid issues, and even chronic stress. These can all throw our hormones out of whack and mimic menopausal symptoms. Each one needs its own approach to treatment and a quick “you’re getting old” diagnosis just doesn’t feel great.
If you are a business owner I am going to say stress can play a big factor in your life! If you have a family too and a house. But no, you can’t just be stressed and overwhelmed trying to navigate life, it has to have a label.
Sensitivity and Awareness
Using age as the main factor to diagnose health issues is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Women in their 30s and 40s may have been dealing with severe menstrual issues like heavy bleeding, crippling cramps, and mood swings for years. These problems existed long before menopause was even a thought.
When it comes to talking about health, a little sensitivity goes a long way. Instead of jumping to the menopause conclusion, why not ask more open-ended questions? It’s a much kinder way to get to the bottom of things. Or, even better, if someone is stressed, moody or just feeling off, maybe at that moment it is not the best time to start addressing issues.
Maybe just offer them a cup of tea or bring them a bar of chocolate. My Mum always said that was the cure for everything. Just to feel cared about is often enough to break someone’s mood. Even just for 5 mins.
The Stigma of Menopause
Even though menopause is a natural part of life, not every woman wants to shout it from the rooftops.
There’s no reason to be embarrassed, but societal attitudes can make it a touchy subject. Women should feel comfortable talking about their health without being prematurely labelled or judged.
All said with kindness
Sorry, I just needed a little rant! Not everything is about menopause. Women’s health is complex and deserves to be treated as such. Sometimes we are just plain moody, or just have too much in our heads and trying hard to process things.
By moving away from age-based assumptions and taking a more holistic view, we can make sure all women get the care and understanding they need, no matter their age.
Thanks for reading
A slightly frustrated,
Louisa x