The Nu Guide: Busting menopause myths
This month our PSA series has been all about menopause symptoms; the real, the relatable, and sometimes the ridiculous range of problems that we can experience during this transition period. However there are still so many misconceptions that get repeated over and over that it makes it hard to know what to believe! It turns out, when it comes to menopause, there’s no shortage of myths that can make women second-guess what’s happening in their own bodies.
So, let’s set the record straight on a few of the most common menopause myths that we still hear all too often:
Myth 1: You can’t be in perimenopause if you’re still having periods.
False. Perimenopause is the transition phase leading up to menopause and yes, you can still have regular, irregular, or unpredictable periods during this time. Symptoms like sleep changes, mood swings, or joint pain can all appear well before your final period. Hot flashes and night sweats can often happen quite far down the track and around a quarter of women will never get these symptoms. Don’t wait for your periods to stop before seeking treatment.
Myth 2: You can check for perimenopause with a blood test.
Not really. Hormone levels fluctuate daily during perimenopause, so a single blood test can’t give a reliable answer. A conversation with your healthcare provider about symptoms, cycle patterns, and how you’re feeling is usually much more useful than one snapshot of hormone levels. It might be helpful to take an objective scoring card like the AMS Greene Score along to your appointment. This can help the doctor see how much your life is being affected by a collection of problems.
Myth 3: Your sex life is over once you reach menopause.
Absolutely not! While hormonal changes can lead to dryness or discomfort, this doesn’t spell the end of intimacy or pleasure. Products like Nu Balm can help make things more comfortable, while open communication (and a bit of curiosity) can make this stage of life more empowering than ever. Vaginal estrogen should be part of every post-menopausal toolkit. Even if you’re not getting significant dryness, it can maintain tissue health once estrogen stores are depleted even further in your 60’s and onwards.
Myth 4: HRT causes breast cancer.
This is one of the biggest and most persistent myths. In reality, the relationship between hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer risk is complex and often overstated. For many women, the benefits of HRT far outweigh the risks. Always seek personalised advice from a trusted healthcare professional before making any decisions and make sure that you are looking at other risk factors for breast cancer in your lifestyle (like genetics, alcohol, exercise).
Myth 5: Antidepressants are a good treatment for menopause symptoms.
If you are seeking an answer to possible hormone related symptoms, don’t get fobbed off with a prescription for an antidepressant! While they can help with mood-related issues they don’t address the underlying hormonal changes of menopause. Many women feel unheard when they go to ask about hormonal health and come away being told they are depressed. For many women, HRT, lifestyle shifts, and supportive care offer more targeted relief. Again, it’s about finding what works best for you and that may take a bit of trial and error.
Myth 6: Menopause symptoms last forever.
This one unfortunately isn’t a total myth, but an important one to understand. Menopause transition symptoms like hot flushes and sleep disturbances eventually settle as hormone levels stabilise. However, low estrogen is for life, and it’s the silent, lasting changes in muscles, bones, cardiac, and genital tissues that can have major impacts on health and quality of life. Understanding this means you can take proactive steps to protect your wellbeing beyond menopause transition.
Understanding the bigger picture
As we’ve explored in our menopause PSAs this month, there are over 30 known symptoms of menopause, from hair loss, fatigue and anxiety to itchy skin, burning mouth and joint pain. Every woman’s experience is different, and there’s no “right” way to go through it.
Our message remains simple: if you’re experiencing NFLM (not feeling like myself), talk to a health professional. With the right support, knowledge, and care, this transition can be a time of reconnection and renewal, not confusion or shame.
You’ve got this, girlfriend.
The Nu Natural Team
