Is Menopause Messing With Your Mojo?

The mysteries, stigmas, and misconceptions of menopause can leave us frustrated, flashing, and throwing our hands in the air, possibly to grab a cool breeze. When you hear the word mojo, most brains go to the idea of sexual prowess, but sisters, there’s much more to it. Mojo is defined as a magic spell, charm, or broadly as magical power (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). We are all born with the intrinsic mojo that we express in a unique, beautiful way. Our magnificent bodies and spirits help to fuel this mojo as we transition through phases of our lives. As we enter menopause, the internal map of our body changes. Suddenly, we are moving into a new time in our lives that we may not be prepared for. Understanding what’s happening and mastering our self-care is the key to maintaining our mojo.  

Every woman has an individual menopause experience and makes choices along the way that work for her. The commonality is that all women go through this season at some point in their lives.  

We can enter menopause in different ways. As we age our ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone, a surgery that removes the ovaries, chemotherapy or radiation, or premature menopause due to ovarian insufficiency (Mayo Clinic, 2020). These all ultimately mark the end of our fertility (Mayo Clinic, 2020). In addition to the end of our menstrual cycle, we may experience hot flashes, issues with our sleep cycle, mood and memory disruptions, vaginal dryness, dry skin, and weight gain among other shifting dynamics that can affect our wellbeing and health (“Menopause FAQs”, 2021). The physical symptoms can be a force to be reckoned with and come with additional considerations, but let’s talk about our MOJO. 

We already discussed the definition of mojo, but let’s go one step further and use an acronym to bring home how important this is. MOJO: Making Our Journey Outstanding. Women are changemakers and moodmakers. They endlessly work to make the lives around them better.  The season of menopause is an opportunity to look inward and become inspired by possibility. How do you want your journey to look? What fires you up?

Making time for self-care. A few ways to embrace overall wellness during menopause are to eat a nutrient-rich diet and avoid processed foods and get your body moving, outside and in nature (Clark, 2020). Find ways to stay cool, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep (Clark, 2020). Take the time to renew and rejuvenate. This is your time!

Our self-care also includes visits to your menopause and health practitioners and staying connected to loved ones, our tribe, our community, or our circle to maintain that human connection (Clark, 2020).

Journey through this time and make it yours. Don’t get bogged down with the expectations in the media or ridiculous articles like “What Women Over 50 Should Wear”. Step into your power, control what you can, and be inspired by your magnificence. Reframe your perspective and consider this as a time of growth. Studies show that the absence of positive thoughts can be more impactful than a negative mindset, so watch your thinking (“Make your Menopause”, 2021). Stay positive, laugh a ton, and be present in the moment (“Make your Menopause”, 2021).

Outstanding transformation can occur during menopause. Letting go of some of the less favorable things that come with a menstrual cycle like P.M.S., pregnancy, hormonal headaches, and fibroid growth can be celebratory and a game changer (Landau et al., 2021). Many women take this opportunity to evaluate their lives, where they want to expend their energy in the future and feel empowered (Landau et al., 2021). They are more apt to take chances, live fully, focus on themselves, and bond with their community (Landau et al., 2021). Live in your light and lead with your desires.

Over half the population goes through menopause. Although our bodies are changing as we enter a new season our mojo need not be messed with. Make self-care a priority, and connect to your community. This is our sacred journey. Cultivating outstanding transformation will provide resources and support as we continue to grow. American anthropologist Margaret Mead coined it “menopausal zest” (Landau et al., 2021). Consider your mojo to be your magical power of Making Our Journey Outstanding. 

References: 

Clark, D. K. (2020, May 21). 8 ways to practice self-care during menopause. Chapel Hill Gynecology. Retrieved October 31, 2021, from https://chapelhillgynecology.com/ways-to-practice-self-care-during-menopause/.  

Landau, M. D., Upham, B., Levine, B., & Konstantinovsky, M. (2021, October 18). 10 reasons to look forward to menopause - menopause center. EverydayHealth.com. Retrieved October 31, 2021, from https://www.everydayhealth.com/menopause-pictures/positives-of-menopause.aspx.  

Make your menopause a positive experience. Mindfulness & Menopause, Menopause Information & Articles | The North American Menopause Society, NAMS. (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2021, from https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/make-your-menopause-a-positive-experience. 

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020, October 14). Menopause. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved October 31, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397.  

Menopause FAQs: Understanding the symptoms. Menopause Frequently Asked Questions | The North American Menopause Society, NAMS. (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2021, from http://www.menopause.org/for-women/expert-answers-to-frequently-asked-questions-about-menopause/menopause-faqs-understanding-the-symptoms.  

Merriam-Webster. (2021). Mojo. Retrieved October 31, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mojo.