There was a time when most of the natural processes related to a woman’s body were discussed only in hush tones. Fortunately, times have changed, and women are no longer asked to keep everything about their bodies a secret.
Menopause was one such topic that was forbidden to be discussed, but with women coming out with their stories and struggles, the world is slowly becoming aware of this transition and what it entails. However, there are people who still barely know what menopause is all about.
If you have a partner or a wife going through menopause, it’s essential to understand the numerous changes that the woman in your life is going through.
While hormonal cycles accompany women throughout their lives, menopause is a one-time occurrence that brings about several changes and adjustments for a woman. During this time, she needs people around her who are empathetic and compassionate, and this especially includes her spouse or partner.
In this article, we will be discussing the ways in which you can support your partner through this very crucial phase.
How to Help Your Partner During Menopause?
Here are some of the ways in which a man can help their spouse or partner during menopause:
1. Research Thoroughly
Women might struggle to convey their needs and emotions to their partners as they go through menopause. This is why it’s very important for men to research as much as possible about menopause and everything that accompanies it.
Unless you conduct proper research, you won’t be able to determine why your partner is behaving in a certain manner, or you could end up leaving them all alone when they need your support the most in a given moment.
Being aware of the symptoms of menopause tops the list when it comes to menopause. As a supportive partner, you should know about the following symptoms that women face during this period:
- Mood swings
- Dry skin
- Sleep issues
- Hot flashes
- Thinning of hair
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
2. Remain Patient
Menopause is not something that happens overnight and goes away in a day. There’s a buildup to it, which is known as perimenopause. While for some women, perimenopause can last for a couple of months, for others, it can last for a few years.
The period of perimenopause and menopause brings about fluctuating hormonal levels for women, triggering a wide range of emotions and symptoms. Therefore, being patient with your partner is crucial as they face this transition.
Don’t lose your cool or get agitated while they’re attempting to figure out what’s happening within their body. The least you can do as a partner during this phase is stay calm and patient.
3. Communicate Well
Keeping all the communication channels open is vital as your partner experiences menopause. This doesn’t just mean talking to them, but also being a good listener.
Even though you can never truly understand just what they’re facing, you can at least sympathize and hear about the hurdles that crowd their days. Also, remember to never push them to share.
The subject can be too sensitive for some women to talk about, and not everyone would want to open up deeply about it. Therefore, take in whatever they share with you and see how you can handle that information positively.
4. Be a Team
Women deserve to know that they aren’t all alone as they go through menopause, which is why men should always strive to be a team as they unite with their partners. This could mean simple things such as asking her how her day was, helping her with the household chores, or looking after the kids.
Although these are responsibilities that spouses should share regardless, the act becomes even more significant while the woman is facing menopause. Ask her what she needs, be it a massage, a movie night, or simply to be left alone.
Make her laugh and ensure the sense of humor stays alive while also being mindful of not making offensive jokes.
5. Handle Her Moods Sensitively
Chances are that a woman is already feeling guilty for snapping at her colleagues or not being able to give her best to her household while her body changes during menopause. On such days, she shouldn’t be made to feel more guilty by her partner.
Never tell a woman that the symptoms are all in her head. After all, the signs are very much real and can be extremely comfortable to sit through while accomplishing daily tasks.
Don’t transfer their moods into your moods. If they’re feeling upset, angry, or frustrated, listen to them without any judgment.
6. Embrace Their Will to Change
Menopause signifies a major life-changing event in the lives of women. It’s often accompanied by other changes that a woman may want to implement. This could be regarding minute things such as the physical activities she indulges in to stay fit or something major like changing her career.
Although your partner’s decisions may not make sense to you, it’s important to support them as they decide what to modify about their life.
7. Provide Them with Reassurance
Reassuring your partner that you still find them attractive and that they are doing a brilliant job of handling things is essential while they deal with menopause.
Many women suffer from self-esteem issues during this period, which is why their partners should put in extra efforts and remind them of all the things that they find endearing and alluring about them.
Silent appreciation doesn’t work at this stage. You need to voice out your admiration and give her all the compliments she deserves so as to build up her self-confidence once again.
8. Be Understanding about Intimacy
A woman’s sex drive gets affected when she’s in the menopausal phase. This could be due to the decline in estrogen levels, the vaginal dryness they experience, or other reasons. Either way, it affects their will to have sex.
Remember that it isn’t about you. So, don’t take it personally; instead, develop new ways of being intimate and showing affection. For most women, their sex drive comes back in full swing once menopause is over.
9. Encourage Her to Focus on Her Health
Women go through both internal and external changes during menopause. Their health gets affected in a major way, with the risk of certain health conditions amplifying, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Staying fit, therefore, is vital to deal with all the bodily changes that take place during menopause. Encourage your partner to look after herself by getting proper sleep, managing her stress levels, and helping her prepare healthy meals. Couples can also exercise together to keep things interesting.
FAQs
If a couple struggles during the transition phase of menopause, they can go for couples counseling to deal with the challenges.
One of the most important things a man can do when their partner is going through menopause is listen to the other person and try to understand the emotions they’re experiencing.
Some of the ways in which you can help your spouse or partner during the period of menopause are researching the subject, being patient, providing much-needed reassurance, and embracing the changes they’re going through.
Yes, exercising with your partner is a great way to help them as they go through menopause; as such shared experiences work great for couples.
Yes, communication is key between partners when the woman is going through menopause, as it helps you listen, understand, and sympathize with your partner.
Conclusion
Every woman has a different experience with menopause. Not every couple will have the same journey when it comes to navigating through menopause together.
However, the crucial thing is to support your partner, listen intently, ask about the things you’re unclear about, and assure them that the challenges are something you will both get through as a unit.
In case you feel like the whole transition is proving to be stressful for you both, there is also the option of couples counseling. Reaching out to a therapist can help you explore tools that could improve your bond with your partner and aid you in overcoming certain challenges.
Reference:
- Best Ways to Support a Partner During Menopause
- 10 Ways to Help a Partner During Menopause
- Relationships and Menopause: 10 Tips for Supporting Someone Through The Transition
- 7 MENOPAUSE TIPS FOR HUSBANDS AND PARTNERS
