How to Deal With Your Wife�s Hot Flashes during Menopause

For men, female menopause is something of a mystery. Many husbands or boyfriends just do not understand what women go through during menopause and feel like they woke up next to a crazy woman. She is going through all kinds of physical and emotional changes which can cause her to laugh one minute and cry the next. She may get upset over little things or withdraw into isolation for fear of alienating their mates.

When you are in a loving relationship you do not want the other person to see you at your absolute worst. Many men will decide to give their wives and girlfriends space to ride the emotional roller coaster alone, not intentionally but because they do not know what else to do. They fear giving the wrong response and making things worse so they find something else to do.

Understanding the symptoms and reasons for menopause may help more men to know how to give support to their wives in a positive way without seeming uncaring or insensitive. During menopause, a woman’s body goes through physical and hormonal changes that end the childbearing phase of life.

Many people refer to this process as “the change of life” because the hormones that were responsible for ovulation cycles are diminishing so the woman will no longer experience her menstrual cycle. The hormones in her body are going up and down trying to regulate themselves which can cause hot flashes during menopause that can make a woman feel like her whole body is on fire one minute and freezing the next. Hot flashes are a result of the hormones that regulate body temperature being out of whack. These changes may also affect her desire for physical intimacy temporarily.

Many women experience moodiness and depression and may wonder if this will last forever. The good news is that it is a temporary phase which gets better with time. Modern medicines can help with the hot flashes and mood swings until the hormones level out. As a man, you may wonder what you can do to help your wife through menopausal hot flashes, the best thing you can do is be there for her. You may not completely understand what she is going through but reading up on the effects of menopause may diminish your frustration and hers.

How You Can Help Your Wife

1. Understand that she cannot help feeling the way she does because of the hormones. This is not something you can just get over. The physical effects of hot flashes during menopause may have you turning up the air conditioning because she is sweating like she just ran the Boston Marathon. Be supportive and sympathetic; remember that men also experience hormonal changes as they age as well. She will have to deal with her husband’s insecurities about losing his hair, developing a pot belly and needing to wear glasses to read the paper so be kind.

2. Let your wife know that you appreciate all she does for you and that all of this is temporary. Her hormones will adjust and things will be back to normal. Reassure her that she is still the same beautiful woman you married and show her the same affection even if she does not return it.

3. Be a good listener. Hot flashes and moodiness make women crazy and a little insecure about how she will feel about not being able to have any more children. Some women embrace this as a joy, not having to worry about menstrual cycles or an unplanned pregnancy, but other see it as an end to their womanhood. Let her talk about her feelings and be honest when she asks how you feel about it.

4. Go with her to doctor appointments and help her make decisions concerning medical care and what, if any, natural remedies may help alleviate some of the symptoms. Offer her a cold wash rag or some ice cubes to cool off. Do little things for her to show that you care and want to help out.

Try to learn all you can about menopause so you can do the best job of supporting your wife and helping her gain control of her life again. Read more about Menopausal Hot Flashes frequently asked questions.

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How to Deal With Your Wife’s Hot Flashes during Menopause

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