understanding Perimenopause/Menopause Explaining how you feel to others

I have found explaining my menopause experiences have left me feeling uncomfortable, but using relatable analogies can help friends and family grasp what you’re going through. I have found it easier for those who wont really get it (the men in our lives) to understand. Here’s an easy analogy to illustrate the symptoms and changes during this transitional phase.

The Seasonal Change Analogy

Imagine your body as a garden throughout the seasons:

1. Spring (Your Reproductive Years ):

   • During spring, the garden is vibrant and flourishing. Flowers bloom, and everything feels lively. This represents your reproductive years, where hormones like estrogen and progesterone are balanced, and your menstrual cycle is regular.

     
     

2. Summer (Perimenopause):

   • As summer arrives, the garden starts to change. Some days are sunny and warm, while others are unexpectedly rainy or stormy. This is like perimenopause, where hormone levels begin to fluctuate. You might experience irregular periods, mood swings, hot flashes, and sleep disturbances—like sudden weather changes disrupting the garden’s harmony.

     
     

3. Autumn/Winter (Menopause):

   • Eventually, autumn settles in. The leaves change colour, and the garden begins to prepare for a period of rest. This transition symbolises menopause, which occurs when you've gone a full year without a menstrual period. Symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes may continue, similar to how the garden prepares for winter, shedding leaves and adjusting to the new season.

   
   

Just like the weather constantly changing we are constantly changing and well as all the different symptoms, becoming unpredictable.

When explaining this analogy to your loved ones, emphasise the following points:

• Understanding Changes: Just as a garden goes through different seasons, your body undergoes significant changes that can be confusing and challenging.

• Emotional Landscape: Like weather patterns, your emotions might be unpredictable. Let them know that mood swings are normal and part of the journey.

• Support is Key: Just as gardens need care and attention, so do you. Encourage your friends and family to be supportive, whether that means listening, helping you find solutions, or simply being there during tough days.

• Patience is Essential: Remind them that just like a garden takes time to transition through the seasons, your mind and body needs time to adjust. Patience and understanding from your loved ones can make a significant difference.

By framing it in a relatable way, they can better understand the physical and emotional challenges you face, fostering empathy and support as you navigate this important stage of life. We just need everyone to have some understanding. We also need to be kind to ourselves, we don't all sail through the menopause well so being kind to yourself and get help if you need it.