8 Menopause Misconceptions—Explained
We decided to set the record straight once and for all by asking the experts: Is it true that…
1. I'll go through menopause at the same time my mom did?
Maybe not at the exact same age, but it's likely to be close. Still, you won't necessarily have the same experience.
Learn more about how and why you'll experience menopause like your mom.
2. If I got my period in my late teens, I'll reach menopause later?
No. A Dutch study of nearly 4,000 women found no link between the onset of your period and the end of it.
3. I'll get more pimples?
Probably not. In fact, you may see your skin clear up as estrogen decreases. More commonly, your skin will get dry, so you'll need a heavier moisturizer, says Jenny Murase, MD, assistant professor of clinical dermatology at the University of California-San Francisco.
4. My breasts will become more tender?
If you've had breast pain in the past, you may notice that it goes away as you head toward menopause because your ovaries aren't producing as much estrogen. However, if you go on hormone therapy, breast tenderness may return.
5. A test can tell me if I'm in perimenopause?
No. When estrogen drops, your pituitary gland pumps out more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to stimulate the ovaries to increase their output. Your doctor can test for FSH, but early on, hormone levels fluctuate so widely, the test isn't very predictive.
6. I can still get pregnant?
It's possible! You aren't safe until you reach that 12-months-without-a-period mark.
7. Being on the Pill delays menopause?
It doesn't postpone it, but you may not realize it's happening. You'll continue to bleed monthly as long as you're on the Pill, and taking it helps to control hot flashes and other signs of menopause.
Check out the pros and cons associated with popular birth control methods.
8. Is it really perimenopause?
Even if you're at the right age, don't automatically assume your symptoms are hormone-related. Many signs of perimenopause-from erratic periods to hot flashes and mood swings-can be due to a thyroid imbalance. Fatigue or having trouble sleeping is another signal of thyroid problems, or it could be due to sleep apnea or stress. Heavy bleeding and irregular periods could also be a sign of fibroids or cervical or uterine cancer. Skipping periods may even mean you're pregnant! Whenever you notice something different happening with your body, see your doctor for a checkup and blood work to rule out these and other conditions.
For a personal take on going through menopause, check out "The Big M" blog at WomansDay.com/Menopause.
Article originally appeared on WomansDay.com.
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