One chapter in a woman's life

No, not always. The question, of course, is whether they are actually symptoms of menopause at all! Mood swings or problems sleeping are not necessarily attributable to hormonal changes. Sometimes, such symptoms can be triggered by stress. After all, many women juggle work and family and this can be very challenging indeed! Poor eating habits can also be at fault that affect the liver, leading to night sweats. In such cases, for example, a regenerative time-out based on Mayr-Prevent medicine helps to give the body some relief and much-needed new energy.

For this reason, our menopause programme at Park Igls also includes an extended examination of the blood in addition to a special menopause exam to clarify whether a woman is experiencing menopause and, if so, which stage.

At the turn of the millennium, it was common practice to treat women with menopausal symptoms by administering hormones, regardless of their specific symptoms, medical history or risk factors. It soon became apparent that such hormonal replacement therapies were not the best course of action after all. On the contrary, they sometimes increased the risk of breast cancer or strokes, for example. Today, hormones are used very selectively and only in consultation with a gynaecologist to weigh the benefits and risks very carefully.

At Park Igls, we hope to raise awareness for this topic and support women with massages, physiotherapy, aroma and herbal treatments as well as talking therapies. Even today, the topic remains taboo. As a result, it often helps if you can talk about the experience in a safe environment free from shame, and exchange ideas with like-minded people. If a patient has very severe symptoms, it is essential to seek the advice of a gynaecologist.

Absolutely, I would even say that the emotional aspect is often in the foreground. Statistically, about 90 percent of women complain of nervousness and irritability, followed by a drop in overall fitness and an increase in exhaustion (80%), with hot flushes and sweating coming in a close second (70%). In addition, 60 percent struggle with depressive moods and every second woman suffers from a sleep disorder. Our society rewards performance. Women have to be dynamic, nice and friendly, while keeping their family and work lives under control. They are expected to be energetic and in a good mood, in addition to being wrinkle- free, slim and as beautiful as possible. There is no space for a woman to age, but menopause makes growing older abundantly clear nevertheless. This may give a woman the feeling that she is no longer a woman.

Or even worse: A sense of failure. Surprisingly, in cultures where age is valued and mature women are held in higher esteem, fewer physical complaints are reported on average during menopause. In addition, menopause usually occurs at a time when women are undergoing a state of upheaval anyway. The children are out of the house, which often also changes the relationship with one’s partner, and perhaps it’s time for a professional change as well? All this, of course, has an enormous effect on women.

Preparing can be difficult, especially since there is no way of knowing at the time that your last period was truly the last. As with almost all aspects in life, however, a generally healthy and mindful lifestyle with a balanced diet and sufficient exercise is the best preparation possible. The fitter and more balanced you are, the better you will be able to handle different phases of life and situations. It is important to realise that menopause is not a disease, but a natural part of life instead. One has not done anything “wrong”, and none of us can actively delay the march of time.

It is a major factor. With the onset of menopause, many women develop high blood pressure. This is often regarded rather dismissively, but it can in fact lead to dangerous secondary diseases such as vascular calcification, heart attacks, strokes, cardiac insufficiency or kidney disease. A healthy lifestyle has positive effects on blood pressure, among other things, and exercise helps prevent osteoporosis, which studies show increases significantly around menopause. Lots of sport also lifts your spirits as well!

In addition, women should also pay close attention to their diets: While feeling full after eating lessens with age, you also burn fewer calories, which in combination leads to weight gain. This is another reason why exercise is so important! During this phase, women should pay close attention to a low- carbohydrate diet and consume more protein instead. This also helps the muscles, which deteriorate with age.

I personally think so. In any case, it helps to deal with the subject openly… talking helps. And you can also see menopause as something positive: You no longer need to worry about menstrual cramps or contraception. And, because the children are out of the house, you’ll have time for yourself or as a couple again. That will allow you to really focus on your own personal needs and do what makes you happy. Age can bring a certain calm and firmness to life. There is peace of mind in knowing a little bit more about what life is really about.