Mental Health and Menopause: Breaking Down Barriers for Better Care
Though Mental Health Awareness Month has come to an end, it's important to remember that mental health issues continue to affect people every day. Not receiving adequate care from the medical field impacts the levels of stress we are already experiencing and is often a large reason why women are seeking medical attention in the first place. Many women have experienced being dismissed, misdiagnosed, and violated by healthcare providers, leading to additional health risks. That impact increases when you are a woman of color. Medical gaslighting happens predominantly to women and people of color. The lack of understanding about what women are experiencing can lead to feelings of helplessness and frustration and ignite yet suppress the rage that is already being felt and held - in.
Not all stress is bad stress (a future blog topic). Still, toxic stress impacts our physical wellness, especially with the reduction of our hormone estrogen. This is when we begin to experience perimenopause, and symptoms can begin to express themselves between the ages of 35 to 55. Perimenopause and Postmenopause symptoms affect Black American women specifically and women of color, in general, earlier and at an increased disturbing rate.
WOMEN SPEAK OUT
Women are speaking up about menopause and its associated challenges, breaking the silence that has surrounded this topic for far too long. Earlier this month, actress Halle Berry made a bold statement about menopause in front of the US Capitol, declaring, "I'M IN MENOPAUSE!!" She, along with bipartisan support, is advocating for a menopause bill to advance research on women's health during this stage of life.
FEMALE FACTS
Did you know:
1993 was when women became equally included in clinical trials for medicine.
Female urologist Helen O'Connel, in her published review article "Anatomy of the Clitoris," described the internal structure of the clitoris anatomically in 2005.
Your OB/GYN probably knows 0 to very little about menopause because most OB/GYNs only receive about 1-2 hours of training on menopause. This is a systemic issue, not your personal OB’s. We need all doctors of all specialties to be aware of the woman’s body because estrogen impacts all the organs.
20% of women’s lives are lived in a poorer quality of life compared to men’s due to menopausal symptoms, primarily frailty and dementia, both being preventable.
I invite you to notice what thoughts and feelings come to your mindbody as you absorb those facts.
Honoring Pioneers in Women's Health
I want to take a moment to pause and give thanks to those who have dedicated their lives to learning, understanding, and helping to heal the female body. These include but are not limited to researchers, doctors, naturopaths, doulas, midwives, and others who have shared their knowledge. Thank you. It's also essential to honor the enslaved Black women who suffered greatly in the name of obstetric and gynecologic science, as well as those who continue to face and die due to maternal health disparities today.
Mind-Body Connection: Understanding the Womb's Role in Daily Life
There is still much to learn about how female hormones impact overall health, including the heart and brain. However, it's crucial to recognize that women's health is not solely a medical issue. The mind and body are interconnected, and understanding the impact of the womb in women's daily lives is essential for whole women's wellness. The proposed menopause bill can potentially dedicate time and resources to women's health, promoting inclusivity and understanding of women's unique needs. Women must advocate for their health, seek comprehensive support from healthcare providers, and explore alternative options for holistic well-being.
Ultimately, understanding and advocating for our bodies is essential, as women's health is interconnected with global wellness. It's important to create space for self-care and seek knowledge and support, especially during the menopausal transition.
I also acknowledge that reading the words "advocate," "seek," "explore," "understand," and "create" may feel like a whole lot of doing when we're already tired. Caring for ourselves can often feel like another to do in addition to all the caring we are doing for others. So before we go further, I invite you to take a gentle inhale through your nose followed by an audible exhale through your mouth, "Awwwwwe."
Invisible Womb Integrative Wellness exists to advocate, seek, explore, understand, and create for and with you when you're ready.
Join our Womb Healing Circle: Support for the Menopause Journey
If you're between the ages of 35 and 55, join our next Womb Wellness Circle: The Menopause Journey for support, knowledge, and connection.
