Menopause symptom statistics - you're not alone

A recent study by Dr Linda Dear of 5000 menopausal women in Australia (aged between 40-64) has revealed some incredibly interesting findings into how we are affected by symptoms: physically, emotionally, mentally and at work.

85% of women experience symptoms of which 63% describe them as severe or very severe - that's 10 years' of serious disruption. 

A staggering 73% of women don't realize that they are experiencing menopause and put their symptoms down to something else. 

Alcohol, caffeine, smoking and poor diet have been proven to affect the severity of menopause symptoms

Menopause symptoms can be influenced by lifestyle factors such as caffeine, alcohol, smoking, high fat / high sugar diets and it is medically recognized that the healthier you are when you enter menopause, the lesser your symptoms will be.

Exercise, sleep and healthy eating are 3 proven lifestyle changes you can make to alleviate menopause symptoms

So, what does estrogen do in our bodies? 

Why does its loss affect us so badly? 

Why do we get all these strange symptoms? 

What long term effects can menopause have on us if we don't turn things around? 

Amongst other roles estrogen:

1. maintains bone strength

2. regulates blood sugar control

3. supports the immune system

4. protects cells in the brain from damage

So, when our ovaries stop working and oestrogen levels drop, women are at a far greater risk of diseases like OSTEOPOROSIS, OBESITY, HEART DISEASE, DIABETES.......

Menopause is a key time to educate, encourage and support women to make healthier lifestyle choices. 

While no 2 women experience the same menopause, these results show us that we are not going through this alone. Understanding this is a vital strategy for coping with menopause: you and 50% of the world's population will go through menopause and will spend 10 years not feeling themselves. 

Read on for the results of the study to learn how menopause symptoms affect women physically, psychologically, emotionally, mentally and in the workplace. 

Can you relate to these results??

Most women start to experience symptoms around 45-49 but if you experience these younger, DO NOT discard it being the menopause. Sleep problems (and so by default, fatigue) were voted the 2 most common symptoms, followed by weight gain (linked to poor sleep) and night sweats. Until you turn around your sleep issues, you will not manage to lose weight.

EXERCISE is the number 1 remedy that women turn to and, after HRT was voted the most effective help for symptoms. This was followed closely by a change in diet. These are lifestyle changes we can make which will have a long term benefit on our health - and symptoms.

The effect that menopause has on our mental health is distressing and can lead to anxiety and panic attacks. Women often don't want to socialise or leave the house and this can lead to very alarming thoughts of self-harm and suicide.

Menopause symptoms don't just affect us - they can have long lasting effects on home life. Both children and partners are affected by the menopause so it's vital to open up communication with them. 10% of the 5000 women questioned either divorced or separated.

Last year, an estimated 68 billion euros were lost in collective annual earnings from women in Australia. 18% took time off, 9% left work and 7% permanently reduced their hours. The added stress and pressure that menopause brings to the workforce needs to be addressed and policies put in place.