Menopause is at once remarkable and entirely unremarkable in its routine nature. Millions of women hit this milestone every year, and it impacts every aspect of their well-being — physical, emotional, social and financial. But it wasn’t until recently that many of us started talking about it publicly. For her part, Karla Robinson, M.D., Medical Editor at GoodRx, feels it’s high time that we discussed the shared truths of this experience openly, so we can demystify and eliminate the stigma surrounding a natural phase of life.
“Bodies change. In recent years, we’ve seen more and more women putting a spotlight on the different experiences that come with aging,” Dr. Robinson says. “It’s really important that we continue to shift the conversation and create a society where women view menopause as something that’s okay to talk about — and that they’re okay to bring up with their healthcare providers.”
In this spirit, we asked Dr. Robinson to share four truths about menopause that she wants everyone to embrace together and discuss how GoodRx can be a partner to those in menopause, offering prescription savings and trusted health information. Here’s what she said — now, let’s talk about it.
1. Menopause Should Be Spoken About Openly
One can hypothesize endlessly about why menopause has been treated like a taboo subject — perhaps it’s society’s discomfort with aging, or maybe it’s a lack of awareness about symptoms. Whatever the reason, the result is the same: Women are often left to navigate these physical and emotional challenges on their own.
“Talking about menopause openly normalizes it,” Dr. Robinson says. “It empowers women to seek help, advocate for themselves, and improve their quality of life.” This can be uncomfortable at first, but being open with your experience can relieve much of the pent-up anxiety within yourself, while also serving to let other women know that they can share their personal stories, too.
2. Your Body and Health Will Change Because of Menopause
The healthy lifestyle moves that you make now, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet and stress management, will serve you well during menopause — a time of life that can come with increased risk of certain diseases. Specifically, menopause puts women at a greater risk of osteoporosis. This means it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D. “In some cases, nutritional supplements can be a great option to help with this,” Dr. Robinson says.
Another big change that you may experience is to your pelvic and vaginal health. Dr. Robinson suggests doing Kegel exercises to help strengthen your pelvic floor. “And for women who experience vaginal dryness or discomfort with sex, lubricants can help ensure you have a pleasurable sexual experience,” she adds.
For any questions about the health changes you might experience during menopause, GoodRx publishes content written by a team of experts, like Dr. Robinson, to help provide answers. Its menopause resource hub is packed with evidence-based information about all facets of menopause from doctors and pharmacists to help women make informed decisions about their health.
3. Treatment Options Are Evolving Every Day
Gone are the days when women were expected to simply accept menopause symptoms as their new normal. “We’ve come a long way in our understanding of potential treatments,” Dr. Robinson says. Today, available therapies include menopause hormonal therapy, which provides the body with estrogen to help alleviate symptoms associated with its loss, such as hot flashes; antidepressants, which can help manage depression, anxiety and mood fluctuations associated with menopause; and oral medications and vaginal creams, to help alleviate many of the physical symptoms.
Whatever you’re dealing with, Dr. Robinson emphasizes the importance of working collaboratively with your doctor. “If you’re experiencing symptoms that interfere with your day-to-day well-being, you should speak to a healthcare professional to find a treatment plan that suits your unique needs,” she says.
4. While the Costs Can Be a Barrier, There Are Tools to Help
Managing menopause isn’t just physically and emotionally taxing — it can also be financially difficult. A recent survey, for example, reported that women in the U.S. spend more than $13 billion annually on menopause-related treatments. But there are ways to get around some of the high out-of-pocket costs, or at least reduce them.
For example, GoodRx, the leading prescription savings platform in the U.S., offers discounts and can help you compare prices for prescription medications, so you can find the best deal for the treatments you need. As prices for menopause treatments have risen 58% over the past decade, comparison shopping can be a vital part of your symptom-management toolkit. GoodRx also offers affordability programs for hormone therapies, broadening access and affordability for these critical medications.
Menopause is a journey we all deserve to navigate with confidence, support, and the right resources in our corner. It’s time to let go of the stigma and feel empowered to seek the solutions we need. "Menopause is just one chapter in your life story,” Dr. Robinson says. “With the right support, it can be a great one.”
To start saving on your prescriptions, visit www.goodrx.com/go/menopause.