GRAND Magazine - May/June 2018 - 11

women's health
compared to when estrogen is
present. Imagine a thermostat. In
a room, normally the heat comes
on when the temperature is below
60 degrees and will shut off above
80. Now, when menopause kicks
in, that range is going to narrow.
Now, instead of it being 60, it's
pushed up to 70 and instead of 80
it's turned down to 75. So, in menopause, a woman has a very narrow
window when they are comfortable.
So, anything one can do to avoid
your body temp going too high or
too low will decrease the timing
and frequency of your hot flash.

Q. Why are some women
affected, while others are not?

Another advantage is that you have your experiences of
A. I believe genetics play a role. Different receptors act difwhat you have done and accomplished, and I think experience
ferently in every woman. One thing that we do know, is that
is knowledge. So, I think you can have a better perspective of
women who have a gradual menopause usually have fewer
what you have done and what you can do in your future. You
symptoms than those that have abrupt transitions into menohave more people that you have met and can rely on, people
pause, whether a sudden natural transition or because they had that will support you through menopause.
their ovaries surgically removed.

Q. If we want to look on the bright side of
menopause, what do you suggest we focus on?
What are some of the advantages of being on the
other side of this stage of life?

A. Well, one big plus to menopause is not having regular
periods. When you are not bleeding, it's less of a nuisance and
that also means that you are not losing blood, so you are less
likely to be anemic, and that is a big benefit. Also, for people
who have struggled with fibroids before menopause, menopause is a time when fibroids shrink, so that's another plus there.
11 GRAND

MAY JUNE 2018

"Find those things that you love
in life and don't let menopause
hold you back."

I like to think positivity and really looking at the pluses and
happy parts of your day really help too. This can be helpful
at any age. One of my friends, Barbara Hannah Grufferman,
recently wrote a book called Love Your Age. One of the many
things I learned from reading her book is that whether you're

20, 30, 40, 50, 60, it doesn't
really make a difference.
I think bottom line is that
being healthy and trying to
really recognize what's good
in every day could be as
simple as writing down three
positive facts or just recognizing that where you are is
a good place, no matter how
old you are.
Additionally, I suggest
focusing on our blessings
and being happy for who you
are. Look forward and try
to do everything you can to
be healthier, whether that is
in terms of exercising more,
eating better, meditating,
reading books or developing our relationships with friends
and family. Happiness matters. Find those things that you
love in life and don't let menopause hold you back. Find new
things that make you happy and learn something new. Don't
limit yourself.

Dr. Margaret Nachtigall is an assistant professor
of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU School of
Medicine and is a highly regarded reproductive
endocrinologist. She specializes in infertility,
menopause and hormonal management and has
a busy clinical practice in Manhattan. Margaret
actively conducts and publishes research and
is a founding member of the North American
Menopause Society and on the Board of Directors
for the Foundation for Women's Wellness. She
is a graduate of Princeton University and NYU
Medical School and completed her Reproductive
Endocrine fellowship at Yale University.

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GRAND Magazine - May/June 2018

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