Menopause 101

Circulating around the Internet is a funny but realistic description of women’s life cycle. It goes this way: at age 8, you take her to bed and tell her a story; at age 18, you tell her a story and take her to bed; at age 28, you don’t need to tell her a story to take her to bed; at age 38, she tells you a story and takes you to bed; at age 48, she tells you a story to avoid going to bed. Does this tell you something?

Women at this age have been characterized by society as raving and frantic or muddleheaded and oblivious. According to menopause online, this unsympathetic attitude is probably because living through menopause is a recent phenomenon. Today, women live to an average of 78. They may spend as much as a third of their lives in menopause!

Simply put, menopause is a natural event in a woman’s life when her monthly menstrual period stops. It usually happens between the ages of 44 to 55, but some women may experience it earlier to later. And some symptoms can begin as early as age 40.

How does menopause happens? The monthly bleeding may stop quite suddenly, but for some women, it would take months or even years before menstruation truly ceases to occur.

The periods may get lighter and more irregular before finally stopping. Women who experience heavier than usual bleeding, or get bleeding between periods, are advised to see a doctor.

There are several symptoms that accompany menopause. Hot flushes involve a prickly sensation, followed by hot flushes starting on the face and neck.

Hormonal changes that accompany menopause also lead to the weakening of muscles that support the bladder, resulting in loss of bladder control, especially when a woman laughs, sneezes or coughs. Mood changes are also common among menopausal women. They feel more tense, irritable and depressed during this time.

Vaginal dryness is also part of menopause. The hormonal changes in the body can make the lining of the vagina thinner, drier and less elastic, making intercourse painful and uncomfortable. This is probably a reason why a menopausal woman will try to "avoid going to bed" with her partner.

However, for women experiencing vaginal dryness, it does not mean that they cannot enjoy the pleasures of sex and intimacy. Aside from hormonal pills to address the declining sexual appetite, they can always turn to using lubricants formulated to relieve the discomforts brought about by this condition.

With the proper lubrication that comes with using a product like Felina, menopausal women can enjoy more intimacy with their loved ones without fear of dryness and discomfort.

The water-based formula of Felina is safe and would feel like a natural lubrication during intercourse. By being attuned to the body’s needs, one can experience freedom from the pain of menopause and great moments with her loved one.

Menopause is a time of change, and a woman can make this phase in her life a happy experience by arming herself with the right information and the support of family and friends.

Science has also ensured that various remedies are now available to help relieve some of the symptoms of menopause. It is also important for her to remember to keep her mind and body healthy so she could go through this period of her life with ease and comfort.