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Menopause can be a daunting and isolating experience, both for women and their partners. There’s also very little education on this time of life (though, fortunately, that is starting to change), and if you feel out of depth when it comes to providing support, you’re not alone. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to menopause, explained for men.
Gain the knowledge to support your partner and nurture a healthy relationship with these insights.
What is Menopause?
A good relationship relies on a deep understanding of one another. When navigating menopause, you can deepen your connection by learning what your partner’s experiencing and the changes occurring in their body.
Essentially, menopause is the natural end of a woman’s menstruation. Their body slowly winds down its production of eggs and subsequent periods, and eventually achieves menopause. At this point, your partner will no longer be able to have children.
During menopause, women experience declines in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and it’s these hormonal fluctuations that lead to many of the physical and mental health changes your partner may experience.
The good news is that there’s a growing range of treatments designed to lessen the negative effects of menopause. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), for instance, is designed to target the broad spectrum of perimenopause and menopause symptoms.
There are also targeted treatments. Femilift, for instance, specifically tackles vaginal dryness, while prescription medication can be used to treat hot flashes.
Menopause vs Perimenopause
The support your partner needs can change depending on whether they’re perimenopausal or menopausal.
Perimenopausal
The transitional phase leading up to menopause, when hormones fluctuate and periods become irregular. Your support should focus on patience, flexibility, and understanding unpredictable physical and emotional changes.
Menopausal
After periods have stopped for 12 consecutive months, your partner will be menopausal. At this point, shift your support toward long-term wellbeing, including helping manage ongoing symptoms and adapting to a new hormonal normal.
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Understand the Symptoms of Menopause
To work on relationship building during perimenopause and menopause, you need to know what symptoms your partner is struggling with. Communication is key here, of course, but you can prepare yourself for meaningful conversations by understanding common symptoms.
Let’s take a look at what to expect.
Changes to the Menstrual Cycle
Often, the first sign of menopause is fluctuating periods. Your partner might experience late, early, or missed periods, with an irregular cycle indicating that their hormone levels are changing. It’s not unusual to experience heavier or lighter bleeding during periods, too.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are one of the most well-known symptoms of menopause, affecting over 80% of women. These sudden waves of heat cause intense sweating and a racing heartbeat, and can occur at any time of the day or night. Beyond the physical discomfort, hot flashes can also make your partner self-conscious if they occur while in a public setting.
Poor Sleep
Around 40-60% of menopausal women experience broken sleep and insomnia. This is largely due to the drop in progesterone - a hormone needed for good rest - as well as other issues like hot flashes and restless leg syndrome. Added together, these symptoms could leave your partner feeling more tired than usual and struggling to get the sleep they need.
Low Mood
As estrogen fluctuates, it disrupts the natural release of serotonin and dopamine, which are hormones responsible for happiness. As a result, many women experience low moods during menopause. This can have a significant impact on their mental health and your relationship (we’ll explore this further later in the article).
Brain Fog
The disruption of serotonin and dopamine also results in brain fog. Concentrating on tasks becomes trickier, their memory is worse, and they experience fuzzy thinking that makes navigating day-to-day tasks harder.
Low Libido
It’s not uncommon for women to see a significant drop in their libido during these changes. Around 30% of perimenopausal or menopausal women experience sexual difficulties, from vaginal dryness to a lack of interest in sex. Some women also struggle to orgasm due to hormonal fluctuations, which can impact their enjoyment in the bedroom.
The Mental Health Impacts of Menopause
When researching menopause for men, mental health impacts can be the most critical symptom. We’ve already touched on low moods, but the hormonal changes can lead to far more serious mental health hurdles for your partner, even if they haven’t struggled with these issues in the past.
34.9% of perimenopausal women, for instance, experience depression. This is a serious mental health disorder characterised by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in life. It can make it harder for your partner to eat, sleep, and carry out simple day-to-day tasks.
In some cases, perimenopause and menopause can lead to suicidal thoughts. Women aged between 50 and 54 in the UK have the highest rate of suicide, which aligns with the average age at which women experience menopause.
It’s also common for women to struggle with anxiety, self-doubt, and a general sensation of not feeling like themselves.
Even coming to terms with menopause can be difficult. No matter what age your partner is, not only are they facing hormone-related mental health effects, but they’re also experiencing a drastic change in their body.
It’s crucial that if you see signs of mental health issues in your partner, you don’t stay silent. Encourage your partner to share their feelings and respond with empathy and understanding. Educate yourself on how to combat depression and anxiety, too, so that you’re ready to provide actionable help when your partner needs you.
If you’re concerned for their well-being, seek professional help from your GP or a mental health support team, like Mind.
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Supporting Your Partner Through Menopause
From physical changes to mental health impacts, men can provide much-needed support for partners going through perimenopause and menopause. Here are some tips to guide your next steps:
Practice active listening
You can’t overestimate the power of good communication. During conversations, show support by practising active listening techniques, such as maintaining eye contact, removing distractions, and giving non-verbal cues to show you’re paying attention (like nodding).
Be patient with mood shifts
Hormonal fluctuations can affect mood, stress tolerance, and emotional regulation. Responding with calm rather than defensiveness can prevent conflict from escalating.
Acknowledge physical symptoms
Hot flushes, sleep disruption, and low moods can be exhausting. Small acts of support, like adjusting routines or sharing household tasks, can make a big difference.
Encourage healthy habits
Encourage methods of alleviating perimenopause and menopause symptoms, like eating healthily and getting gentle exercise. If you actively participate in a shift towards a healthier life, your partner will feel less alone in their journey.
Dealing with menopause and anger towards husbands
Increased irritability and anger are well-documented symptoms. Recognising that this response is hormonally driven, not personal, can help you respond with empathy instead of taking it to heart.
You can also provide support by creating a menopause support package with useful items like:
- Cooling face mists
- Calming or joyful aromatherapy scent roll-ons
- Lavender or valerian tea to promote sleep
- Vitamin supplements for menopause
Putting these items together shows not only that you understand the symptoms, but that you want to help your partner through them. It’s a sign that they’re not alone, which can make all the difference on bad days.
Final Thoughts
Menopause doesn’t have to be a change your partner faces without you. A healthy, strong relationship tackles all of life's hurdles together, and that includes perimenopause and menopause.
We hope the insights shared in this article help you feel more confident that you can provide the support your partner needs.
For more lifestyle insights for men, read the latest on Square Mile.
