Let's be real: menopause often gets a bad rap. Hot flashes, mood swings, and sleepless nights dominate the conversation—but what about the upsides? What are some positive parts of menopause?
Consider flipping your perspective on menopause - that it isn't an ending or even a “new beginning”; it's a gateway to freedom, confidence, and embracing your new self. Not convinced that there are any positives about menopause? Here are five empowering benefits of menopause, backed by real women and recent research, that deserve way more attention.
1. Menstrual Symptom Relief
Raise your hand if you'll miss cramps, bloating, or surprise cycles! Menopause means no more periods—and for many women, no more symptoms that accompany PMS or PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). After decades of monthly inconveniences, this could be considered to be truly liberating and one of the more celebrated benefits of menopause.
Research confirms what women have always known: while perimenopause might intensify some menstrual symptoms initially and temporarily, they do tend to dissipate after menopause. 1,2
The relief from menstrual symptoms can be significant: consider having more energy without monthly fatigue, freedom from stocking period supplies, and extra money saved from no longer needing menstrual products. No more planning vacations, important meetings, or when you can wear white pants during your cycle, either. For some women, this newfound freedom from one set of symptoms can make new symptoms seem more tolerable.
2. Hair Changes
Let’s talk about hair changes during menopause—as this often comes as a surprise to many women during this transitional time. As estrogen levels dip during menopause, it’s not all bad news. While it’s true that the hair on your head may shed or become thinner, there’s a potential silver lining, let’s dive in.
Estrogen plays a key role in keeping your hair healthy, helping it to grow thick, shiny, and full. As estrogen levels decline during menopause, your hair growth cycle can shift as well.3 The growth phase of your hair may shorten, meaning it doesn't stay in its “growth phase” as long. The strands that do grow can also be finer due to smaller hair follicles.4 But, on the positive side, this can also contribute to less unwanted hair, like on your legs or in your pubic region.
Think of it this way: you can potentially wax, shave and/or pluck leg, armpit, or pubic hairs less often. It’s a bit of a shift, but for many women, this is just one more positive thing about menopause that could be viewed as a plus.
3. Less Hormonal Birth Control Worries
Say goodbye to pills, patches, and injections. Menopause provides the ultimate freedom for women who've spent decades juggling birth control side effects and pregnancy worries. Studies have shown that the majority of postmenopausal women can stop using contraception completely5, eliminating potential side effects such as blood clots and mood swings. This also means no more prescription refills, no daily pill alarms, and no "what if" stress.
While the risk of pregnancy is no longer a concern in postmenopause – it’s still important to consider using protection, such as condoms/diaphragms during sexual activity - especially if you have a new partner and are sexually active.
4. Improved Emotional Balance
Women may notice that the intense emotional rollercoaster of perimenopause finally ends during postmenopause. Research has shown that most women emerge from the menopause transition feeling more centered than they have in years. The hormonal chaos experienced during perimenopause has been associated with an increased risk of anxiety and depression, as well,7 however, many postmenopausal women describe feeling "back to themselves" – wiser and more emotionally resilient.
5. More Self-Confidence
Some women may find that they have a new level of self-confidence after the menopause transition. Research has also shown that postmenopausal women consistently score higher in levels of assertiveness and decision-making, with stronger self-belief, too.8
You'll potentially shift your focus to care less about others' opinions and more about living authentically. The confidence surge many women experience during this time is another positive thing about.
Reframing Your Menopause Experience
Menopause and post menopause can provide a unique kind of freedom you’ve not yet experienced. During this time, you can decide to redefine yourself, pursue new passions, and enjoy relationships without constraints. Many women say that their 50s and beyond are their happiest, most fulfilling decades which may just lead to some amazing health benefits when you finally feel like yourself.
It's your time to shine, unapologetically and on your own terms.
Resources:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34613495/
- https://www.mdpi.com/2673-396X/3/1/12#
- https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment-side-effects/menopause/hair-changes
- https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/hair-loss#3-Eat-well
- https://www.cdc.gov/contraception/hcp/usspr/contraception-not-needed.html
- https://www.hexi.ox.ac.uk/menopause/loss-of-fertility
- https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/mood-changes-during-perimenopause-are-real-heres-what-to-know
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-right-side-of-40/202503/the-shift-in-midlife-from-being-led-to-leading
