Sutter Health salutes the power of women and the importance of compassionate care on World Menopause Day, October 18, and every day.
Menopause is a natural phase of life, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood. From whispered wisdom from well-meaning female friends and relatives to bogus tips from social media influencers, myths about menopause can shape how women experience this transition—often with unnecessary fear and confusion.
Dr. Risa Kagan
Read on as gynecologist Dr. Risa Kagan —certified menopause practitioner, former member of the Board of Trustees of The North American Menopause Society * and a menopause consultant for the Sutter East Bay Medical Group— and Dr. Attia Kadri, an OB/GYN with Sutter East Bay Medical Group, help bust the 10 most prevalent menopause myths.
1. Myth: Menopause Starts at Age 50
Fact: While the average age for a woman to enter menopause is around 51, according to Dr. Kagan, natural menopause can occur anytime between ages 45 and 58, and early menopause can begin between ages 40-45.
Complicating matters, many women begin experiencing symptoms before they technically enter menopause. “The transition phase, called perimenopause, can start years earlier and bring symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, and mood swings. You’re officially in menopause after 12 consecutive months without a period,” says Dr. Kagan.
2. Myth: Hot Flashes Are the Only Symptom
Fact: “Hot flashes are the most common symptom,” says Dr. Kadri, “But menopause can also bring sleep disturbances, memory issues, vaginal dryness, anxiety, depression, and urinary changes. These symptoms vary widely and can begin during perimenopause, long before periods stop.”
Dr. Attia Kadri
3. Myth: Weight Gain Is Inevitable
Fact: In fact, midlife metabolism changes are commonly due to aging. Hormonal changes can slow metabolism and shift fat distribution, especially around the midsection. However, weight gain isn’t inevitable, says Dr. Kadri. “A balanced diet, regular exercise, and strength training can help manage weight and support overall health.”
4. Myth: Menopause Ends Your Sex Life
Fact: According to Dr. Kagan, lower estrogen levels may affect libido and cause vaginal dryness and painful sex, but this doesn’t mean intimacy is over. Lubricants, moisturizers, local low dose hormone therapy, and open communication with partners and your healthcare provider can help you maintain a satisfying sex life.
5. Myth: Menopause Happens Overnight
Fact: Menopause is a gradual process. Perimenopause can last several years, says Dr. Kagan, with fluctuating hormone levels causing a range of symptoms. The transition is unique to each woman and rarely feels like a sudden switch.
6. Myth: You Can’t Get Pregnant During Menopause
Fact: Fertility declines, but pregnancy is still possible until menopause (12 months without a period) is confirmed. Dr. Kadri recommends using birth control during perimenopause if you’re trying to avoid pregnancy.
7. Myth: Hormone Therapy Causes Cancer and Strokes
Fact: Early studies raised concerns, but newer research shows Menopause Hormone Therapy, previously called Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT, can be safe and effective—especially when started before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause, says Dr. Kagan.
“Menopause Hormone Therapy is medicine with female hormones. In MHT, estrogen, the hormone that your body gradually makes less of after menopause and is very low when periods stop for good, is given in varying amounts. This therapy is used to treat common menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and bone loss,” says Dr. Kagan.
If you still have a uterus, MHT usually includes a progestogen along with estrogen. That’s because estrogen alone can cause uterine lining to thicken, which may increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Adding progesterone helps protect the uterus by keeping the lining from building up too much.
The key, Dr. Kagan says, is personalized care: the type, dose, and timing of menopause hormone therapy matters, and decisions should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider based on your individual risks and needs.
Want more information about hormone treatment? Read on for more on this topic from Dr. Kagan.
8. Myth: Menopause Is the Same for Everyone
Fact: Menopause affects each woman differently. Cultural background, genetics, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors all influence the timing, severity, and type of symptoms experienced. There’s no one-size-fits-all menopause journey.
Dr. Kagan emphasizes the importance of individualized care offered at Sutter, “Menopause is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Every woman’s journey is different and understanding that allows clinicians to tailor treatments that truly support her physical and emotional well-being. That’s why it’s so important to talk to your clinician to decide what treatments may be best for you.”
By streamlining access, elevating clinical best practices and expanding care options, Sutter is helping ensure every woman—regardless of where she lives—receives best-in-class support through every stage of life.
9. Myth: Menopause Is Just a Women’s Issue
Fact: While menopause directly affects people with ovaries, its impact can ripple through families, workplaces, and communities, says Dr. Kadri. Understanding and support from partners, employers, friends and family can make a big difference to how women experience menopause.
10. Myth: You Just Have to ‘Tough It Out’
Fact: You don’t have to suffer in silence or suffer at all! Effective treatments and support are available. Start by talking to your healthcare provider to help you navigate symptoms and find relief tailored to your needs.
Says Dr. Kagan, “Women shouldn’t feel like they have to ‘tough it out.’ There are many effective treatments both hormonal and non-hormonal that can make this transition smoother and more empowering.”
Final Thoughts
“Menopause is a natural stage of life,” says Dr. Kagan. “By replacing myths with facts, we empower women to approach this transition with confidence.”
Adds Dr. Kadri, “At Sutter Health, we’re focused on seamlessly providing women the personalized care they deserve at every stage of life, including perimenopause and menopause. Our clinicians are here to support women every step of the way, helping them make informed choices about hormone therapy and alternatives and overall health with confidence and care.”
*The North American Menopause Society has been renamed The Menopause Society.
