WOMEN'S PERCEPTIONS AND PREPAREDNESS FOR MENOPAUSE.

• A report from NCBI, About 65 % of women do not feel prepared for menopause.
• Same studies also affirm that since women do not feel prepared for menopause, they pick interest in a "structured lifestyle program containing weight loss and weight maintenance strategies to combat menopause symptoms."
• Research has shown that about 80% of women are interested in a structured lifestyle program to relieve menopause symptoms.
• About 72% of these women want targeted approaches for weight loss or weight maintenance.
•  75% of women are interested in engaging in a lifestyle program with other women like themselves
• Around 42% of women stated that they have not attempted using diet/lifestyle changes to control menopause symptoms, while 33% and 32% of women reported exercising occasionally or at least three times per week respectively.
• It has also been found that women are more interested in exercises such as walk, resistance training, bike/cycle, exercise class (gym aerobics), and yoga as a means of controlling their menopause symptoms
• A Yale University study of insurance cases from more than 500,000 women in various stages of menopause declares that 60% of women with significant menopausal symptoms seek medical attention.
• According to research from AARP, about 42% of women never had a conversation with a health provider regarding their menopause.
• A number of women perceive menopause as a relief to pregnancy worries and monthly cramps, a goodbye to bloodstained panties and premenstrual mood swings.

HOW WOMEN FEEL GOING THROUGH MENOPAUSE AND HOW IT IMPACTS THEIR LIVES

• According to the AARP survey on more than 400 women between ages 50 and 59 with regard to their menopause experiences, 84% of the women said their menopause symptoms interfere with their lives.
• The most common symptoms of menopause include; hot flashes (50%), night sweats (42%) and vaginal dryness (38%). 
• Research also shows that approximately 6,000 women in the U.S. reach menopause each day, and by 2020, about 50 million women will be postmenopausal.
• According to NAMS, about 75% of women undergo some menopausal distress; 20% of these women stated that symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats "are severe enough to interfere with every meaningful aspect of their lives including sleep, work, and relationships."
• Research shows that about 20% and 40% of menopausal women encounter hot flushes and night sweats (HFNS), also known as vasomotor symptoms. These symptoms are said to have a negative impact on the quality of life, including personal and work life of menopausal women.
• Women have reported that these menopause symptoms are more challenging to manage in the workplace, "due to embarrassment and concern about the reactions of others."

THE FACTS AND MYTHS SURROUNDING THE CONVERSATIONS ON MENOPAUSE

• Myth: Menopause doesn't require medical treatment.
• Fact: Many women who experience menopause naturally do not need medical support to control their menopause symptoms. But for women whose menopause occurred prematurely, they require medical treatment. "Healthy living, natural, complementary therapies, and other medications may assist with menopause symptoms. "
• Myth: A woman does not need to use contraception once her period stops because she can't conceive.
• Fact: It is advised that women use contraception to avert pregnancy until they "have had one year without a natural period if they are over 50 years old, or two years without a natural period if they are under 50."
• Myth: The only symptom of menopause are Hot flushes. 
• Fact: Women may encounter several other symptoms including night sweats, aches and pains, crawling or itching sensations under the skin, forgetfulness, headaches, irritability, lack of self-esteem, reduced sex drive (libido), tiredness, difficulty sleeping, urinary frequency, vaginal dryness and discomfort with sexual intercourse.