Carla Bruni who talks in a podcast about her new life routine since she went through menopause. Another former First Lady, Valérie Trierweiler, who takes up her pen to play down this pivotal period in the lives of women. Then there is this play “Menopause”, which is a success on tour in France. There menopause has never been as publicized as it is today. Obviously, women are speaking out a little more on the subject than in the past.
Menopause remains a taboo subject
For Isabelle Gardan, the president of Femmes Relais 08, there is not enough freedom to speak. “ Menopause remains a taboo subject. » It is for this reason that the Sedan association organized a time of discussion on the subject in September 2024 in which around sixty women participated. “ Experiencing menopause myself, I know how women who are often reminded of this image of being thrown in the trash can feel. Or to have reached planned obsolescence », confides Isabelle Gardan. She adds: “ We know that during this period of a woman’s life, the body is transformed. I wanted to approach the subject without taboo. »
Menopause is above all a clinical diagnosis
Aude Sabatier, general practitioner, specialist in gynecology in Charleville-Mézières participated in this round table to provide answers to women who are not well enough informed about what they are going through. “ We need to talk to them about perimenopause, this transition period which precedes menopause. It can last several years, before the periods completely stop”explains Dr Aude Sabatier.
Each woman experiences this obligatory passage differently
« You should know that menopause is above all a clinical diagnosis, also specifies the doctor. There is no blood test that can tell you that you are in menopause. » Aude Sabatier takes the example of one of her patients who stopped taking the pill at 55: “ She didn’t understand that after eight months, her periods returned. I told her she still had follicular activity. and that she was not completely menopausal, although she was advanced in age. And this might be the last time she gets her period. »
The average age of menopause between 50 and 52 years old
The Dr Aude Sabatier also wants to reassure these women who are not menopausal and who nevertheless have hot flashes, night sweats, or even urinary leaks and infections. These symptoms can occur 5 to 6 years before periods completely stop. “ In France, the average age of menopause is between 50 and 52 years old, reveals the doctor. However, there are women who go through menopause much later. Not to mention early menopause before the age of 40. It also depends on the ethnic groups or the age of menopause of one’s own mother. »
Menopause is coming
And then, there are women who experience this transition to menopause without knowing it. “ The symptoms are multi-form. There are 20% of women who will not have any symptoms of menopause. They will find themselves without periods and without any embarrassment. » And for the 80% of other women, Aude Sabatier presents the main symptoms which can indicate that menopause is near: “ Firstly, the hot flashes. Then come mood disorders and sleep disorders. »
« Menopause is not an illness either. completes the health professional. One of the key messages to get across is that menopause is something to prepare for.. No woman can ignore that one day she will be in menopause. It’s a natural phenomenon of life. »
She recommends, around the age of 50, a consultation with a general practitioner, gynecologist or midwife. “ It’s also an opportunity to take stock of your health. Because menopause can be accompanied by weight gain, onset of diabetes. Hypertension can appear, cardiovascular risks increase, whether you are perimenopausal or menopausal.. »
And depending on the woman’s profile, medicinal support may be prescribed. “ The classic medication is THM, the hormonal treatment for menopause. These are natural hormonal prescriptions », explains Aude Sabatier, while mentioning other treatments such as homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine.
Health
