Initiate Open Talk about Menopause with Husband

Initiate open talk about menopause with your Spouse:

Many women may struggle to adjust to the emotional and physical changes menopause brings, and this can be hard for partners and those closest to us to understand. Therefore, being able to talk about these changes with a partner is very important in helping women to navigate this new phase of their life.

Recognizing that menopause is not an issue you can keep to yourself as a secret if you are intimate with someone is key. Menopause is a natural point in every woman’s life, but it can also be a challenging and confusing time for both the woman herself and those close to her. The subject of menopause may be awkward for your husband simply because he does´t know what he can do to help.

Until recently, I knew my husband was increasingly becoming uncomfortable about my reactions to his intimate demands towards me. Yes, I had seriously began experiencing the symptoms of menopause, especially mood swings and hot flashes. Indeed, many of us do not have a clue what a woman goes through during menopause apart from ceasing her menstruation cycle. We expect every bit of a woman’s life to remain normal throughout. Like many, my husband has no clue either what many challenges a woman experiences.

I knew this was beginning to frustrate my husband as he was not understanding. At one point, I noticed he felt rejected and alienated. In the same way, I was feeling misunderstood and not supported through the process of menopause. Remember that your physical or emotional discomfort affects him, too: he just may not know how to tell you.

Anxiety can often be reason for not opening up to a conversation on menopause. The fear that your husband wants you to deal with your symptoms in silence; the worry worried that he could never understand how you feel.  Whatever your anxiety is, you should identify it at the very beginning of the conversation in a non-accusatory way. You and your husband will then be able to discuss why the subject is awkward, and how you can both feel more comfortable.

It is therefore important that we pay attention to the following:

Information about menopause: Many partners often do not know a much about the menopause and how to deal with this. They may feel it’s not something they can confidently talk about. The first step is therefore education. When I had a clue that I was going through symptoms of menopause, I began looking for information about menopause and this wealth of information has been very useful to me in this journey. The wealth of information is a great starting point for what can sometimes be seen as an awkward conversation

Initiate a conversation on menopause: I had to start this conversation myself. I think sometimes men are afraid to approach the subject with their partner, because they don’t want her to feel that they may be picking on her or criticizing her. Take the plunge and start the initial conversation yourself. Communication is important; and you may both breathe a sigh of relief once you start just openly speaking about menopause.

I initiated the discussion spontaneously as an explanation of why I was feeling this awkward way at this season (hot flashes and night sweats in a cold environment that called for cuddling). I asked him to be more understanding that I am going through a crisis in my body. The symptoms of menopause.

True Talk: It may seem like an obvious point, but honesty on both sides is absolutely critical. Finally, it’s important that once you start discussing the menopause that it’s not all doom and gloom. In fact, it’s quite the opposite in many cases! if you are hoping to support each other during this change. Being able to speak to your husband about your menopause situation is an opportunity to reset, reassess and modify your lifestyle to optimize your general wellbeing. This could be something your partner might like to join you in, with healthier eating or increased exercise, starting a hobby together or make plans. All of this brings great benefits to you both.

Talking about menopause can be stressful for both parties, so a little reward is in order after you´ve finished your talk. Treat yourselves to a date night full of your favorite things: a nice dinner, a movie and plenty of alone time. Partners can be important in supporting women during the menopause. While recognizing that this can sometimes be difficult, women ask their partners to try and understand the problems they face with the changes in their lives.

Overall, good communication is the key.

Resource

four-part podcast series for Menopause and Me