Menopause: A Natural Shift with Real Impact

October 21, 2022

Menopause is a natural biological transition marking the end of a woman's fertile years. It's officially diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without menstruation. Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, though it can happen earlier or later. This phase is caused by a gradual decline in the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. As hormone levels drop, many women experience a wide range of physical and emotional changes. Common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, mood swings, and trouble sleeping. Although menopause is a normal part of aging, the experience can be intense and deeply personal. It can affect not only a woman’s physical well-being but also her emotional and mental health. That’s why it’s so important to have open conversations with healthcare providers about how to manage symptoms and support overall health during — and after — this transition. Let’s take a look at a few numbers (source: Stichting Vuurvrouw, national platform for women in menopause in the Netherlands):

Around 1.6 million women in the Netherlands are currently in menopause.
80% of them experience symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep disturbances.
For 85% of women, symptoms last between five and ten years. For 15%, symptoms persist beyond ten years.
One in three women finds that menopause symptoms interfere with daily life and work.
Menopause is a part of life — but it doesn’t have to be something you simply endure. With the right support and care, this stage can become a time of strength, insight, and renewed balance.

In this blog post:

Ignoring symptoms
Burnout or menopause?
Cardiovascular disease or menopause?
What can we do ourselves?
Did you know…?
Interested in our Healthy Menopause programs and offers?

Ignoring symptoms

Many women find it difficult to talk about menopause. It often marks the end of fertility and the beginning of a stage that comes with physical and emotional challenges — like mood shifts, lower libido, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, weight gain, and an increased risk of conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease. It's not surprising that this stage isn't exactly embraced or openly discussed. But avoiding the subject doesn't make the symptoms any easier. In fact, silence can make it harder to understand what’s happening and to find the support needed to navigate this phase with more ease and confidence.

Burnout or menopause?

Ignoring menopausal symptoms often leads to misdiagnosis. “More than half of women off work with burnout at menopausal age are actually dealing with a hormone deficiency,” says GP Nora Hendriks, hormone therapy specialist and author of The Menopause Taboo. In her practice, she regularly sees women who have been home for months, exhausted and at a loss. “With the right hormone treatment, many are able to get back on their feet — and back to work.”

Cardiovascular disease or menopause?

The opposite also happens: some women assume their symptoms are simply part of the menopause and see no reason to visit their GP. But that can be risky, warns gynaecologist Ingrid Pinas. “Menopause is a natural process, but the effects it can have on your body aren’t always harmless — in some cases, they can even be life-threatening.” She advises all women with symptoms to consult their GP — not just to talk about hormones, but also to check key health markers like blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose levels, and the functioning of the liver, kidneys, and thyroid. It's also important to rule out any signs of cardiovascular disease. GPs may take different approaches to treating menopausal symptoms. For example, Dr. Nora Hendriks prefers to start with hormone therapy, rather than immediately prescribing antidepressants or blood pressure medication. Gynaecologist Pinas, however, notes that in some cases, those treatments can still be useful.

What can we do ourselves?

Get the right diagnosis. Are your symptoms really due to menopause, or could something else be going on? Don’t assume — get it checked.
Make lifestyle adjustments. Add more movement to your day, try yoga, and consider some simple changes to your diet — such as cutting back on starch, sugar, alcohol and total calories. Supplements like magnesium, vitamin D, B12 and calcium can also support your body. And if you smoke, this is a good time to stop. Above all: aim for more balance in your daily life.
If doctors disagree, your voice matters most. Take time to research your options and choose a treatment path that feels right for you. You know your body best.
Don’t go through it alone. Talk openly about your symptoms — with your partner, your employer, or other women going through the same. How are they coping? You might be surprised by what you can learn from each other.

Did you know…?

From a biological point of view, menopause is extremely rare. In fact, only two other mammal species are known where females live long after their fertile years have ended: the short-finned pilot whale and the orca. Remarkably, female orcas can outlive males by as much as 70 years. And their role is anything but passive — postmenopausal orcas hold a high status within the pod and often lead the group, guiding with experience and instinct.Now that is a role model worth looking up to.

Interested in our Healthy Menopause programs and offers?

About Marleen

This blog is written by Marleen, the founder of PureandCure.com in 2005. She travels around the world in search of the best Health & Wellbeing Hotels, Spas and Retreats and shares her know-how, experiences and observations through her blogs.