A Short But Harsh History of Menopause
The Menopause has gained a volatile reputation for itself throughout history - from being considered a natural phenomenon until around the 18th century - to being viewed as a disease by none other than the Victorians, who when confronted with a woman going through the hormonal transition into what we now consider to be their wisest years - deemed them to be insane (of course), sent hundreds of women to asylums, and in some instances even had their ovaries removed in an attempt to make them more “docile and compliant”.
It’s easy to romanticise the past. There is however, very little romanticising to be done about being a woman of a certain age in the Victorian era. Thankfully today we are pretty well versed in the fact that the menopause is a natural process that millions of women go through every single year.
That said, it’s still a time that we struggle to embrace as a society. While some women find the menopause a gentle jog (if not a walk) in the park, others experience disruptive symptoms, from hot flashes, mood swings and night sweats to anxiety and depression that make living life as they would like to challenging - even traumatic.
Whilst there are now a number of medications available to help manage symptoms, there is no such thing as a ‘magic cure’, and an increasing number of women report experiencing overbearing side effects from menopausal therapies, such as weight gain, fatigue and psychological distress.
In this post, we’ll take a look at what modern science tells us about the changes happening in the body, and the symptoms that can affect daily life, from sleep disruption and weight changes to hot flashes.
Sleepless Nights
One of the less talked about symptoms of menopause is difficulty sleeping - one of the core foundations of feeling good. Instead, menopausal women can find themselves tossing and turning for hours, unable to get comfortable or quieten racing thoughts.
It’s found that progesterone has a sleep inducing effect by stimulating the brain to produce a neurotransmitter called ‘gamma-aminobutyric acid’ (GABA), so the more progesterone you have, the more GABA you’ll produce. With progesterone on the decline during menopause, the body loses some of its natural sleep support, making it difficult to drift off.
Melatonin, another vital hormone for sleep, also decreases with age. Secretion of melatonin is partly influenced by oestrogen and progesterone - therein compounding the issue. Hormones that once helped regulate sleep are waning, leaving many menopausal women exhausted and frustrated night after night.
Craving Balance
Not only is this lack of sleep disruptive and exhausting, but it can also contribute to weight gain - something many people notice during menopause. When sleep is limited, the body often craves high-carbohydrate and high-fat foods to quickly boost energy, even if we don’t really need the extra calories. On top of that, menopause already brings hormonal changes that can affect metabolism, and sleep deprivation can make these shifts even more pronounced. Levels of ghrelin, the hormone that stimulates appetite, can rise, while leptin, which signals fullness, can drop - making it harder to feel satisfied after meals.
Flash! Ahhhhh
It’s thought that hot flashes occur when the drop in oestrogen levels during menopause affects the body’s thermostat, known as the hypothalamus. This tiny region in the brain is responsible for regulating body temperature, and when oestrogen decreases, it becomes more sensitive to even slight changes in heat. As a result, the hypothalamus can mistakenly sense that the body is overheating, even when it isn’t. To bring the temperature down, it triggers a rapid series of responses: blood vessels near the skin’s surface widen, the heart rate may increase, and sweat glands activate. Together, these reactions create the familiar sensation of a hot flash - a sudden, intense rush of heat that can leave you flushed, sweaty, and sometimes even shaking.
Knowledge is power
Menopause may be inevitable, but understanding it can make a huge difference. While history shows us how far societal misconceptions have come, today’s science and awareness give women the tools to navigate this stage with knowledge and support. From hormonal shifts affecting sleep and appetite to the sudden intensity of hot flashes, recognising the body’s changes is the first step toward embracing this transition with empathy and self-care. Menopause may be challenging, but it is also a natural, transformative part of life - one that deserves understanding, compassion and a touch of humour too.
