Reading: A Man’s Guide to Menopause: 9 Things They Need to Know

Even though it’s something about half the world’s population experiences, men seem to know surprisingly little about menopause. That’s not to blame them – do any of us fully understand what’s going on either? So chances are, if you’re in menopause, it’s affecting your relationship in some way. 

The good news is a little understanding goes a long way, and now can be a perfect time to strengthen your relationship and bond. We’ve partnered with menopause experts Kindra to make sure men have the information they need. 

Everybody Menopauses Differently 

The one predictable aspect of menopause is that it’s, well, unpredictable! While the average onset of menopause is 51, many women can start experiencing signs in their early 40s. In fact, signs of menopause can start up to seven years before the final period and last well past five years after. Understanding the unpredictability of menopause will help you support her journey. The more you know, the better suited you’ll be!

What is Menopause?

There are three stages to menopause: perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Perimenopause can start in her 30s/40s and is the time when the body produces less estrogen over time and periods start to decline. Did you know menopause is technically just one day in a woman’s life? It’s come to represent an entire period, but by its actual definition it’s the 12-month anniversary of her last period. From then on, she’s in post-menopause. Not sure where she is on her menopause journey? Pro tip: Sit down together to take the Kindra hormone assessment to see where she’s at and what can help her throughout her journey. 

There Are 34 Signs of Menopause

Every woman experiences menopause differently. There are 34 different signs of menopause that can impact everything from her mood, sleep, energy levels, libido, and more. While most women don’t experience every concern, that’s a lot to figure out! Patience and communication is key during this time, as women often struggle to understand the changes and not feel so alone in the process. 

Communication is Key

As your partner is going through changes, so are you! Everyone experiences the inevitable changes that come with getting older. Sharing your own experience with aging can be key to strengthening your bond and intimacy. Be open about how you’re feeling while respecting her privacy. Keeping open channels of communication between you and your partner is a great way to prevent either of you from feeling distant or isolated from each other.

Roll With the Intimacy Changes

Vaginal dryness, low confidence, and a decreased sex drive can all accompany menopause. It’s normal! Let her know that you’re here for her and happy to support her and talk about these changes. What used to feel good for her in the bedroom might not feel good anymore. Approach these changes together by trying new ways to boost libido when it feels right, or rethinking your bedside toolkit to support this process! One of the more common signs of menopause is vaginal dryness that can occur due to decreasing estrogen levels. Having less natural lubrication can lead to painful and inflamed intimate tissues and pain during sex that didn’t used to be there! Kindra’s Daily Vaginal Lotion, which was shown to reduce pain during sex for 91% of women after just two weeks of use, offers gentle relief, soothing sensitive tissue.

She Might Be Feeling Isolated

Between possible changes in sex drive, sleeping patterns, mood swings, skin dryness, and weight gain, it can be hard to feel like yourself. Give her patience and space if she’s not feeling up for intimacy but let her know the door is open for when she’s ready. A lot of women don’t talk about their menopause experience because it’s considered taboo. Understand that she may be going through a lonely experience and sometimes just being there, even when things get tough, can make all the difference.

Good Sleep Is Hard to Come By 

Eighty-five percent of women report hot flashes during menopause. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat that spreads through the face, neck, and chest. Night sweats are simply hot flashes that happen during the night time. Because of fluctuations in estrogen levels, the complicated mechanisms that control body temperature regulation are affected, resulting in feelings of sudden warmth and excessive sweating. Kindra’s Sleep Supplement contains Pycnogenol, which specifically helps promote healthy circulation to combat night sweats, Ashwagandha to help calm the mind and unwind, and low-dose melatonin as a natural sleep aid.

There’s Not a Lot of Information Readily Available

Unfortunately there is a lot of stigmatization surrounding menopause. While you might be feeling in the dark about the changes your partner is experiencing, chances are, unfortunately she probably is too! Here at Kindra, we know how important it is to dispel the mystique and myths surrounding this phase of life. That’s why we created our hormone assessment, The Menopause Quiz, to help our community of women (and their partners!) learn more about the changes they’re experiencing, provide helpful resources, and give you tailored recommendations. 

She’s Still Your Partner

At the end of the day, even with all that she’s going through, she’s still your same beloved partner. Patience, open communication, and a loving attitude can go a long way to keeping your relationship stronger than ever. You’ve got this.

A Note From Kindra

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