Many people are unprepared for the upheavals that menopause brings, both physically and emotionally. Between hot flashes, mood changes, fatigue and weight gain, this period can be difficult to cope with.
- During the press conference organized by DisonsDemain, the dating application dedicated to singles over 50, Linda Hardy highlighted the need to break the taboos around menopause, a subject that 83% of women still consider as taboo in France.
- Highlighting that, despite popular belief, menopause can bring positive liberations, such as the absence of periods and an end to concerns about contraception.
- The debates focused on the importance of better informing women, as well as men, about this stage of life, by improving communication within the couple and through the media.
According to a survey carried out on the occasion of World Menopause Day conducted by ‘Disons Demain’, 83% of women believe that menopause remains a taboo subject in France. The study also reveals that 88% of respondents believe that the benefits of menopause are rarely brought up in conversations, often giving way to a negative perception.
The key to a peaceful transition: information and lifestyle
Linda Hardy, former Miss France and actress, shared her own feelings about this turning point in women’s lives: “The stress that this new stage of life can cause can further accentuate the symptoms. A healthy lifestyle is essential to get through this period better, and feeling free to no longer have to endure periods or contraception can be a real relief..” These words resonate with many women who, like her, recognize a certain liberating aspect of menopause.
The actress, who shares her experience without filter, testifies to the lack of information that women face: “For a long time I ignored what it really was and, like many, I dreaded it. The lack of information is glaring, and it is essential that women know what to expect.” According to her, an adapted lifestyle, with a balanced diet and regular physical activity, plays a key role in managing symptoms.
Impacts on the couple and a new found freedom
Beyond health aspects, menopause can have a profound effect on life as a couple. Hormonal variations change mood and sometimes complicate communication. Linda Hardy emphasizes the importance of speaking openly to your partner: “Menopause has an impact on couples. It is essential to communicate so that the man understands the transformations his partner is going through.” Informing both men and women is crucial to maintaining harmony and avoiding misunderstandings.
However, menopause does not only bring dark sides. Quite the contrary! It also offers a new form of freedom for many women. The end of periods and concerns about contraception are often accompanied by a feeling of relief. “ There is a real feeling of relief in no longer having this monthly constraint », confides Linda Hardy. This period can thus be experienced as a moment of rebirth, where women reconnect with themselves, in accordance with their body and their desires.
The study shows… 69% of women surveyed cited the absence of periods and PMS as a major advantage. 36% say they are relieved to no longer have to manage contraception, an often heavy mental burden. In addition, on a psychological level, 45% of women feel freer, while 39% even say they have regained self-confidence.
Break the taboo to better experience menopause
If this step is inevitable, it is high time to change the way society views it. Linda Hardy sums up this state of mind perfectly: “Menopause is not the beginning of the end, it is the end of the beginning. “She also reminds us that it is entirely possible to maintain a fulfilling intimate life despite hormonal changes.” You have to listen to your body and free yourself from preconceived ideas “, she says, proving that satisfying and harmonious sexuality remains within reach, even during this period.
Indeed, the study shows that 66% of women avoid discussing this subject with their partner, unless the relationship is serious. However, 56% of the women surveyed say that the first symptoms of menopause have not affected their love life. 72% of them even declare that their intimate life has not changed before or after this transition.
This need to raise awareness and normalize discussions around menopause is essential to help women better experience this transition phase.
