Japaralia March 2026 vol. 30

English translation below by Perplexity

Vol. 30 Why Only Women? Menopause and Its Symptoms

This topic often comes up on my website’s blog as well. When it comes to menopause-related symptoms, some people try to ignore them, while others face them head-on. My symptoms aren’t severe, but lately I’ve been chatting with a friend the same age about how our bodies feel completely out of whack—“It’s winter, yet I’m sweating,” or “It’s summer, yet I feel cold.” Our skin is losing its plumpness and firmness and gradually becoming thinner. Menopause symptoms arise due to a decline in female hormones. As a result, some people see melasma worsen due to hormonal changes, while others find it fading. In my case, my melasma improved significantly for several years after menopause began. I thought I was finally free from the battle with melasma, but at the start of 2025, it came roaring back, as if saying, “I’m back!”—in stark contrast to my aging body, it behaves like a rebellious teenager, challenging me every day. I’ve also noticed my hair shedding at about three times the usual rate. Hair loss is another symptom of declining female hormones. Additionally, menopause is said to dull brain function, and becoming unusually forgetful may be one of its symptoms. On top of forgetfulness, I sometimes feel as if I’m underwater, with a hazy, fuzzy sensation.

Around this age, presbyopia progresses for both men and women, making the 40s a significant period of bodily change for women. Menopause isn’t yet widely understood by society, so support from others is difficult unless they’ve experienced it themselves. Is there a way to navigate this period smoothly? Symptoms and their severity vary from person to person, but hormone therapy can be effective for severe cases. Since my hormone levels haven’t dropped to that level yet, I haven’t been advised to undergo hormone therapy.

Here’s a story from one of my clients’ 40-something daughters. She said she felt murderous rage just hearing her husband say, “Good morning, honey”, so she planned to consult a doctor about hormone therapy. Her husband joked, “Please do it before you turn into a criminal,” which sounds hilarious from the outside, but for her, it must be a struggle to manage the anger bubbling up from nowhere.

Depression is also common during menopause. Lately, the term “mental health” is being used so casually, almost like “daifuku” (a sweet treat). Many people live with mental health issues, and it’s not something that can be summed up in a single word. Yet, testimony from someone with mental health issues isn’t recognized in court, apparently. Why? I wonder. Among the many types of mental health conditions, depression is prevalent. Why aren’t people believed just because they’re depressed? Mental health is complex, and even with the same diagnosis, severity varies widely. Many people live with mental health challenges, and hearing “mental health” shouldn’t make us think we understand it, as if it’s as simple as the difference between tasty or not-tasty daifuku. We need to remember that mental health varies in degree and type for every person. Menopause brings many symptoms, including depression, but mental health is a broader topic, so I’ll cover it separately on the blog.

Back to my experience: although my symptoms aren’t severe, I work with lasers, which are precision instruments, so I’m very careful to keep my mind sharp, especially the day before work. I’ve improved many of my symptoms (except melasma) with supplements too. For melasma, I treat it myself with laser every two to three weeks and use Tyrosinasde inhibitors (brigthening serums) to prevent worsening, but both menopause and melasma are unpredictable, so accepting them and don't get worked up with it is important for my mental health.

March 3rd is Girls’ Day, so I discussed issues women face. Menopause symptoms vary widely in severity and type. Finding the right coping method for yourself is key. If you have questions about supplements or melasma, feel free to consult me.