The Menopause Myth Buster

By: Alexandria Delasantos, RN, BSN • Posted on August 13, 2025

1. “Menopause happens suddenly.”

❌ Myth: One day your period stops and that’s it.

✅ Fact: Menopause is a gradual process. It starts with perimenopause, which can last several years as hormone levels slowly shift before your final period.

2. “It only causes hot flashes.”

❌ Myth: The only symptom is feeling warm.

✅ Fact: It can affect sleep, mood, memory, skin, hair, weight distribution, and sexual health — plus bone and heart health in the long term.

3. “You can’t get pregnant during menopause.”

❌ Myth: As soon as cycles become irregular, pregnancy is impossible.

✅ Fact: You can still ovulate unpredictably during perimenopause. Pregnancy risk isn’t zero until you’ve gone 12 months without a period.

4. “Menopause means you’ll automatically gain weight.”

❌ Myth: Weight gain is inevitable.

✅ Fact: Hormone changes may shift where you store fat (more belly area), but lifestyle factors — diet, activity, sleep — play a bigger role in overall weight.

5. “HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) is dangerous for everyone.”

❌ Myth: All hormone therapy leads to cancer or heart problems.

✅ Fact: Modern guidelines show HRT can be safe and effective for many women, especially if started early in menopause, though it’s not right for everyone.

6. “Menopause kills your sex drive permanently.”

❌ Myth: Your libido is gone forever.

✅ Fact: Hormones affect desire, but intimacy, emotional connection, and physical comfort (addressing dryness or pain) can keep sex enjoyable.

7. “Menopause only affects older women.”

❌ Myth: It’s a late-life event.

✅ Fact: Natural menopause averages around age 51, but it can happen earlier — even in your 30s or 40s — due to genetics, medical conditions, or surgery.

Be Strong. Be Healthy. Be in Charge!

-Alexandria Delasantos, RN, BSN

About Alexandria Delasantos RN, BSN

Alexandria Delasantos is the current Care Coordinator for Specialized Women's Health at the Cleveland Clinic helping women move through menopause with ease and confidence. Alexandria started working in Women’s Health in 2022 in hopes to build longitudinal relationships with patients through their menopausal journey.

Alexandria started her nursing career in Colorectal Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, then transitioned into management. She received her BSN at Notre Dame College where she was a National Delegate for the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA).

menopause, perimenopause, hormones, hot flashes, pregnant, weight gain, hormone replacement therapy, hrt

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