Have Support For Menopause-How To Find The Right Community For You?



Menopause is a completely natural transition for women, but that doesn't come without challenges.

Women's life is with plenty of obvious physical symptoms due to depletion of estrogen, no more periods, hot flushes, night sweats, and menopause weight gain to name but a few.  

Therefore, it is no wonder that they can also end up with an impact on their mental health.

The effects of physical symptoms, menopause can leave many women to battle emotional symptoms too, including mood swings and insomnia.  These can have a knock-on effect on a woman's wellbeing.

It is no surprise then that menopause help is essential to help women deal with all the challenges going on.

And you may feel like you are alone in your struggles, there is actually plenty of menopause support out there... and lots of different ways of coping with menopause.

COPING WITH MENOPAUSE

We all know that menopause can be a difficult time in a woman's life, but there is no doubt that talking about it can help.

As with any problem, making it open with others is the first step in making things feel more manageable.

Dr.Rebecca Lewis, explains that talking about menopause can be awkward, but it is vital for all sorts of reasons.

"Some women are intensely private--as the symptoms are often very personal--vaginal dryness and irritation, uncomfortable sex and low libido, etc," she said.

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Talking to the other women helps them realize they are not alone in their experience, and helps them be aware of how severe symptoms can be in some cases.

Also, talking with other women will help them understand the symptoms better and how to get effective treatment on time. 

Talking empowers women and helps them cope knowing that there are several other women they know are going through the same experiences.

So where can you speak to someone, if you don't want to share with your loved ones?  We rounded up a list of the best places so you can find the right one for you.

MENOPAUSE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITIES

Why women are searching for menopause support communities?

Women feel slightly shy talking about their issues with strangers openly, an online menopause support group might be for them.

Speaking to people virtually, with a degree of anonymity, can help women air their menopause issues from the comfort of their own homes.

1 in 3 Women Suffer From Hormone Imbalance

Dr. Rebecca promotes chatting online but cautions that any information or medical advice you find in chatrooms or elsewhere should be questioned.

If you are not sure where to get started, here's our list of the best online menopause support communities where you can share your grievances and get help and awareness.

1. Menopause Matters

The forums of Menopause Matters are one of the most well-known online groups for discussing anything about menopause.

Members post every day and there's not much that isn't spoken about on here--including everything from menopausal sex, the ups and downs of HRT, and post-menopausal bleeding.

  • Set up your own personal account here by creating a username and password.
  • You will then have access to countless menopause discussion groups.  You can share your experiences, search for information and enjoy the company of supportive people.
2. Peanut Menopause

This is a sub-group of popular women's social network Peanut, Peanut Menopause is dedicated to connecting people experiencing all stages of menopause.  Here is everything you need to know about your menopause issues.
  • Peanut Menopause is designed to reveal the mystery surrounding the hormonal shift by creating a safe space for members to share their stories, post questions, and find relevant content.
  • To sign up, users are asked to mention in which stage of menopause they are at--perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause.
  • You will then be accessible to a private network of people in the same situation.  They seek information, ask for support or simply have a friendly chat.


3. The Daisy Network
For many people, menopause doesn't arrive when you expect in your late 40s or early 50s.  Early menopause is called premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), your hormone production is also affected.  This can have an effect on your well-being.
  • The Daisy Network was set up to help support women who are going through early menopause.
  • This community also arranges local networking, support groups for real-life meets up, so you can share your experiences face-to-face if you want.
  • Membership costs £20 for a year and the money is used to keep supporting women across the UK who are suffering.
4. Menopause ChitChat
Menopause ChitChat is another forum where members open up about a whole range of topics.  So users can open up about what they have gone through and relate with others.
  • You will be given a free guide to managing menopause after you sign up by creating a username and password.
  • You will get access to post your concerns and questions about menopause.
  • You can even start your own discussion on anything that is niggling at you.
5. North American Menopause Society (NAMS)
The North American Menopause Society is also a great resource for people navigating menopause.  This NGO is run by medical professionals and patients alike and offers everything from advice to answers to your questions.  It also offers free notes written by menopause experts.


6. British Menopause Society
Although you won't be able to speak with other women here, the Women's Health Concern website, which is the patient arm of the British Menopause Society, has all the information you'll need to answer your menopause questions. If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, here's all you need to know.
  • Verified and impartial advice with support and education to women about menopause.
  • There is a range of different resources on here like telephone calls with medical professionals, factsheets, detailed and informative newsletters and even seminars, meetings, workshops on all kinds of topics.
  • Many helpful Ebooks are free to download on their website here for free but you will have to pay for telephone advice at £20 for 10 minutes.  
  • You can also find a suggestion to find a 'menopause specialist' in your location when you enter your location in your account.

7. Menopause Cafe
This is one of the best and most popular with unique objectives out there for menopause support is the Menopause Cafe.
  • Here groups of people meet up for a coffee and discuss openly any aspect of menopause that they like.
  • The Cafes take place around the country on various dates across the year and welcome everyone who isn't even a member of the forum.
  • Spouses, families, friends and colleagues are all invited to attend.
8. Red Hot Mamas
Launched back in 1991, Red Hot Mamas is now the largest menopause education program in America with 200 hospitals across the US and Canada.  Plenty of their resources can also be found for free online
  • Users can get expert access, expert advice, and regularly updated comprehensive information.
  • Red Hot Mamas also take up special education events related to managing midlife symptoms like osteoporosis, vaginal health, and hot flashes.
  • You can join the community for free here.
But most importantly, if you find it difficult to cope with menopausal issues, visit your GP.  It is essential to talk about it but it is most important to visit a doctor.
Remember, you're never alone--and there's always someone out there to help you with what you're going through.
 

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