Menopause, often considered a sign of women’s aging, is, in fact, a window that opens to a new phase of life. This was the main message that Médis left at the end of a meeting that brought together several experts under the motto “Give ears and a voice to Menopause”, in which it sought to explore the positive side of this period and the importance of embracing it with positivity and self-care.
The investigation continues the study “Women’s Health and Well-being: a potential to be achieved”, carried out through the Health project, by Médis, and published in 2022.
The study, which took place between January 2022 and March 2024, involved the participation of more than 700 women, of which 245 were aged between 45 and 60.
The conclusions warn of the profound lack of knowledge, lack of preparation and psychological and emotional impact felt by women. According to the study, menopause is often underestimated and little discussed, including by health professionals.
40% of women’s lives
In Portugal, around one million and two hundred thousand women today go through the menopause process, equivalent to 12% of the population. It is the largest of all phases of a woman’s health, taking up, on average, 40% of her life. It is also the phase in which they suffer the most: around half of women experience discomfort at this stage, which, compared to the discomfort exhibited during puberty (20% of women), is 140% higher, and compared to the discomfort shown in the maternity ward (12% of women) this is a 300% higher number. Statistics that reinforce the importance of offering adequate support to women during this transition phase.
Maria Silveira, responsible for Strategic Orchestration, Health Ecosystem of the Ageas Portugal Group, argues that menopause is not a disease, but a condition that affects each woman differently, that is, there are many menopauses and each woman experiences it in her own way. manner.
According to this person in charge, women’s health is a topic that connects society, and awareness campaigns, workshops and educational materials can help demystify menopause and eliminate stigmas associated with it. “That’s why listening to these women, guiding them and giving them a voice is, in itself, a great ‘medicine’, in addition, of course, to holistic support (gynecology, psychology, nutrition, physical exercise)”, says the responsible.
Managing well can be liberating
After listening to hundreds of women, Médis proposes a new “classification” of menopause, which serves as a complement to the existing one, with a medical and scientific basis (which divides menopause into three phases: perimenopause, menopause, postmenopause). Thus, taking into account women’s vision and feelings (subjectivity), there are four “states of soul” associated with menopause: ignorance, suffering, management and liberation. In fact, menopause is a phase that is often neglected and little discussed, both by the general community and by health professionals. Women often do not feel comfortable approaching the topic, either due to lack of knowledge or social embarrassment. This lack of dialogue contributes to perpetuating the taboo and fear associated with menopause. According to a survey by Médis, 52% of menopausal women report being poorly or moderately prepared to deal with this phase of life.
Data indicates that 72% of women between the ages of 45 and 60 live in a constant state of tension, and 50% of them have faced exhaustion or depression. These numbers highlight the suffering and the relationship between menopause and mental health.
In addition, there are more than 30 symptoms associated with menopause, with varying intensities. Some of the most common discomforts include hot flashes (69%), joint pain (49%), night sweats and sleep disturbances (48%), anxiety (45%), vaginal dryness (42%) and decreased libido (37% ).
Furthermore, 65% of women in this condition report discrimination in the workplace, and 22% have considered changing or leaving their jobs.
Although some symptoms may persist for more than a decade, most symptoms eventually subside over time. According to the study, only 20% of women report having symptoms for more than five years. This message of hope and freedom must reach all women, as they all go through or will go through this process.
“Menopause is not a disease, but a condition that affects each woman differently, that is, there are many menopauses and each woman experiences it in her own way” Maria Silveira, head of Strategic Orchestration, Health Ecosystem of the Ageas Portugal Group
