Women Face Challenges Openly Discussing Menopause
Sweat drips down Sybille Müller's forehead as she fans herself, grumbling about the sweltering heat. "Bloody hell, it's like being bloody Harry Potter in a bloody sauna!" she exclaims during an interview in her doctor's office. "No air conditioning? Seriously?" Müller, with her shoulder-length blonde hair, black blazer, and subtle gold jewelry, looks striking, but she sure as hell doesn't feel it. Hot flashes have been dogging her for years, yet they've improved since she started using hormone patches.
Sybille Müller, who in reality goes by a different name, is one of the millions of women in Germany going through menopause. When the ovaries gradually stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone, it can lead to a host of severe symptoms in women: hot flashes, sleep disorders, depressive moods, vaginal dryness, concentration difficulties. Around 30 percent of women experience mild problems, and 50 percent face more severe symptoms, says Thomas Strowitzki from Heidelberg University Hospital.
Why Can't We Talk About It?
It's been a hot topic for so many affected women, yet the discussion is still hush-hush. Is society moving in the right direction, or are menopause symptoms still something women would rather keep to themselves?
"I hear this a lot from women - they find it hard to open up," says Mandy Mangler, the chief doc at two Vivantes Auguste-Viktoria clinics in Berlin. "It's still a big taboo because it's also about aging, about doors closing." Mangler also admits, "Things are shifting a bit." The topic is becoming more mainstream in media.
Menopause Hits Around Age 45
According to Strowitzki, menopause usually begins around the age of 45. In Sybille Müller's case, it started with sleep disorders around the age of 40. At 43, the hot flashes kicked in. She made a visit to her gynecologist, but they weren't much help, as Müller recalls.
"She didn't do anything about it, didn't even take a blood sample to check hormone levels." The doctor gave her a once-over and said everything looked normal. Müller sought out Strowitzki instead, who prescribed hormones for her after a blood test. She gave hormone gel a whirl first, then the patches, which she changes every two to three days.
Aging: A Challenging Phase
Still, why is it hard for women to talk about their menopause symptoms? "The end of menstrual bleeding marks the first point of no return in life and a first sign of our 'finiteness'," says Katrin Schaudig, president of the German Menopause Society. "Our fertility is now over." This connection to aging, which is often criticized in our society, coupled with an attitude among women - "Don't make a fuss, don't put yourself in the spotlight" - creates a perfect storm for keeping the conversation about menopause on the down-low.
Yet, a process of de-stigmatizing is underway. "Women are becoming more self-assured in this society," says Schaudig. "Perhaps it's part of a feminist consciousness." It also boils down to gender equality, like the push against unequal pay between men and women.
Nine Million Women in Menopause
Currently, nine million women in Germany are in this stage of their lives. "I don't believe that one should handle these menopausal women with kid gloves, but they must be acknowledged and taken seriously," says a 64-year-old female doctor from Hamburg, who talks about menopause problems like increased abdominal fat in her podcast "Hormonally Driven". She's part of the initiative "We are nine million," which aims to de-stigmatize menopause and improve the care of women.
Many businesses now offer women guidance on menopause. Strowitzki, Medical Director of the Heidelberg Clinic for Gynecological Endocrinology and Fertility Disorders, also sees businesses starting to recognize this issue. At the University Clinic, for example, there are now working groups devising strategies to allow affected women to remain productive, such as by providing breaks.
Natural Relief is Possible
The gynecologist emphasizes that women can feel better during menopause without taking hormones. things like exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and Kneipp applications, especially for hot flashes, can make a noticeable difference. There are also plant-based products that may help, like grapeseed extracts, red clover, or soy. However, sometimes women may need hormones, says the 66-year-old, but the benefits and risks must always be weighed - long-term hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of breast cancer, according to the German Cancer Society. However, hormones can also stabilize bones, and it's always about the woman's "suffering."
Menopause Brings Positives
Müller's hot flash has subsided during our chat. She opens up about discussing her symptoms with her friends. "When you bring up the topic, suddenly four people say: 'Oh, me too' and 'But I'm taking this'. And suddenly it's a huge issue." Dr. Mangler, a women's health specialist, points out that menopause also brings positives: women no longer need to worry about birth control, and they no longer have menstrual discomfort. "Women in this phase tend to stop doing things they used to do out of more or less goodwill - because they wanted to please someone." They're more likely to choose to live their sexuality as they desire.
The 48-year-old hopes that the perception of the female cycle will normalize, regardless of the life phase - and "that we don't devalue women because they're aging and entering this phase. Instead, we should recognize their potential and strength."
- Sybille Müller's conversation about her menopause symptoms with friends highlights a pressing need for open discussions about women's health, particularly as it pertains to menopause.
- Despite being a common experience for millions of women, menopause continues to be a taboo subject, with societal stigmas related to aging and gender roles contributing to this silence.
