Women’s bodies experience many changes in life from pregnancy through to menopause and with each change comes new little challenges that women need to overcome. From hot flushes to mood swings and light bladder leakage, menopause really does put a women through her paces and the hormonal changes can often impact her confidence.
So, you have a beautiful family who you’re proud of, you’ve got a successful career, and you’ve finally started to feel like (for what feels like the first time in your life) as though you’re getting the hang of living like the confident woman you were born to be. But, right out of nowhere, life decides to throw you a curve ball that you weren’t really anticipating - or let’s be honest, one you’ve chosen to not ever properly think about.
We can only really be talking about one thing. That’s right, you guessed it. We’re talking about that new phase in a mature woman’s life called menopause. Not only does menopause knock your body around it also impacts a woman’s confidence and can be tough to navigate when everything seems to be a challenge.
Whether you’re currently experiencing menopause or are about to start, it can be a difficult time for any woman. With hot flushes, mood swings, and irregular bleeding, menopause can also have an impact on your hormone levels and cause light bladder leakage or menopause incontinence. As if coming to terms with what many other women describe as their “womanhood” slowly evaporating wasn’t difficult enough!
There can be a lot of apprehension when it comes to knowing what’s in store once menopause starts and as a result women’s confidence can be impacted dramatically. With physical factors including weight gain, potential hairloss, dry skin and light bladder leakage it can be a confusing time for women. The emotional aspects of menopause are also tough, dealing with stereotypes of what reaching the menopause means, the changes in your body and how you can best control them and the hormonal changes are all big factors in loss of confidence.
If left untreated, it’s common for light bladder leakage or menopause incontinence to interfere with all aspects of your lifestyle and ultimately your confidence - whether that be work, social activities and sexual and personal relationships. Many women however do not reach out for help, as there’s wrongfully a cloud of shame that’s associated with the condition. The good news though is light bladder leakage or menopause incontinence can be managed and treated.
Sometimes, the best way to cope with menopause incontinence is knowing that you’re not alone. We, as women, should be in this together, especially as 40% of menopausal women are estimated to suffer from this condition.
