The Effects of Menopause On Relationships

Do you sometimes think about the effects of menopause on your relationships? How the rapid mood swings, irritability, and other emotional symptoms are affecting your loved ones? What toll the lack of motivation and crashing fatigue is having on your family obligations?

You maybe have a husband or partner and children who have not yet left home. You've always been there for them.

Now, you feel too tired, depressed or irritated to do what you normally do to maintain your family's well-being. Your loved ones feel confused. They don't understand what's going on.

You too feel miserable, because you feel helpless to control these emotions. Yet, it is obvious that your nearest and dearest are suffering with you.

For couples,the effects of menopause can have far-reaching consequences.

The emotional and physical changes taking place in your body can have a significant effect on your intimate relationship.

The physical symptoms of menopause such as hair loss, dry skin or developing acne; and weight gain, make many women self-conscious about their appearance, even if this wasn't the case before.

Women who already suffer from issues of self-esteem are greatly affected and this is reflected in the way they approach issues of intimacy. Menopause symptoms such as vaginal dryness and loss of libido, can significantly affect one's intimate relationship.

If these changes are not understood and dealt with, communication breaks down; and silence and confusion take over, leaving the relationship at risk for infidelity, separation or divorce.

And, as if that wasn't bad enough, menopause occurs at an age in a woman's life when family structures are changing.

Children are becoming young adults, while parents are aging. Most likely you will face bereavement from the death of a parent during this phase.

It is also a time when you may have to face the prospects of retirement. All these concerns can contribute to stress and added strain on your relationships.

How To Protect Your Relationships Through Menopause

There is a way that you can protect your relationships from the effects of menopause.

Small adjustments in your overall outlook and daily routine should help you make it through the change of life with your relationships intact.

Below are some suggestions to help you make these adjustments:

• Stay connected with your family, and friends. When you're feeling fatigued, irritable or depressed, there is a great temptation to withdraw from those closest to you. Don't! Make an extra effort to ensure that you spend time together, even when you don't feel up to it.


• When the change of life is over, as it will be, and as you head further into your later years, friends and family will become more important. It is then, that you'll be glad to have them at your side.


• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Menopause brings with it an increased risk for debilitating and life threatening diseases, such as osteoporosis and heart disease. Poor health can only strain your relationships further. A nutritious and balanced diet, combined with exercise will reduce the risk of diseases and the burden that comes with it.


• And, besides keeping fit and healthy, engaging in an exercise or other physical activity can be a great way to stay connected with your loved ones or build new relationships.


• Avoid alcohol or tranquilizers. Alcohol and tranquilizers are both depressants. If you are going through troubling mood swings or bouts of depression, alcohol and/or tranquilizers may simply make it worse or create other undesirable effects.


• Engage in a productive activity. Involving yourself in church or charity work, sports activity or hobby, provides a sense of self-esteem and achievement. This will make you feel better about yourself and will improve the way you interact with others including family and friends.


• Find your inner strength. Learn and practice calming techniques such yoga and meditation. Read a book. Find spiritual strength in prayer. Calming activities will help you maintain emotional balance and keep mood changes in check.


• Write it down. Keeping a journal or diary, will allow you to write down your thoughts, problems, plans or anything else going through your mind. This will help you gain a sense of perspective on your situation, and help to reduce your emotional stress.

Finally do keep in mind, that what you are going through is a phase. It will take some years, but it will pass.