Menopause Body Image

“Body image is part of self-image. Our body image includes
more than what we look like or how others see us.
It also refers to how we think, feel, and react to…”.1

Body Image

What is body image?

Depending on the Source (DotS) the definition of body image may vary. The (United Kingdom) Mental Health Foundation’s (MHF) definition is:

“‘Body image’ is a term that can be used to describe how we think and feel about our bodies”.2

Self-Image

What is body image a part of?

The (United States) Cleveland Clinic’s note:

“Body image is part of self-image. Our body image includes more than what we look like or how others see us. It also refers to how we think, feel, and react to our own perception of our physical attributes”.3

Poor Body Image

What is poor body image?

In Body Image Report: Introduction – What Is Body-Image? the MHF explain:

“Often, when we talk about ‘poor body image, we are referring to a feeling of being unsatisfied with our body – either because of appearance or the way it functions. This is described as ‘body dissatisfaction. In contrast, positive body image can be described as being satisfied with our body, holding respect, appreciation and accepting of its abilities, and having a healthy balance between valuing our body and valuing the other aspects of ourselves that make us ‘us’”.4

Factors

What factors shape and influence our body image?

In Body Image: What Is Body Image? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) elaborate on:

“From childhood through adolescence and on to adulthood, your body shape changes and so can your body image”.5

In Fostering A Positive Self-Image: What Is Body-Image? the Cleveland Clinic elaborate on:

“Body image development is affected by cultural images and the influence of family, peers, and others. A positive body image contributes to enhanced psychological adjustment (less depression, positive self-worth, life satisfaction, less interpersonal anxiety, fewer eating disorders). Distortions in our thinking contribute to a negative body image”.6

In Body Image: What Affects Body Image? the JH also elaborate on:

“There are many different influences on body image including:

  • Personality
  • Health
  • Illness and disease
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Self-esteem (whether you value and respect yourself)
  • Childhood experiences
  • How important people in your life talk about and refer to your body (and their body too)
  • Media
  • Society and culture
  • Self-talk – what are you saying or not saying to yourself about your body image (does it start with “I should”… “I ought”… “I must”… or “I wish”…?)”.7

Menopause Body Image

Is there an association between menopause and body image?

The JH note:

Menopause Body Image
“Many women approaching midlife find that changes to their body, lifestyles and relationships can affect the way they feel about themselves”.8

Enhance Body Image

What are specific steps to enhance body image?

In Fostering A Positive Self-Image: Specific Steps To Enhance Body Image the Cleveland Clinic include:

  • “Explore your personal body-image with its strengths and limitations
  • Confront thinking distortions related to your body
  • Challenge misleading assumptions about body appearance
  • Accept and love who you are
  • Be comfortable with your body
  • Have positive experiences with your body
  • Be a friend to your body with positive affirmations”.9

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with my body image?

If you would like help with your body image, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Menopause Body Image?

In Health Topics A-Z find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause Body Image?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

  1. Anxiety
  2. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  3. Benefits of Talking Therapies
  4. Body Image
  5. Body Image Report: Introduction
  6. Body Image: How We Think and Feel About Our Bodies
    Body Image Report
  7. Botox
  8. Botox Injections
  9. Can I Reverse the Effects of Aging Skin?
  10. Confidence
  11. Cosmetic Procedures
  12. Cosmetic Procedures: Breast Enlargement [Implants]
  13. Cosmetic Procedures: Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
  14. Cosmetic Procedures: Is Cosmetic Surgery Right for Me?
  15. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  16. Dr. Louise Newson Breaks Down The Menopause & Lisa Snowdon Shares Her Experience | This Morning
  17. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
  18. Emotions: Body Image
  19. Feeling Irritable? Why You’re Irritated and What To Do About It
  20. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  21. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  22. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  23. Fostering A Positive Self Image
  24. Fostering A Positive Self-Image: Specific Steps To Enhance Body-Image
  25. HRT: Benefits and Risks
  26. HRT: Types, Doses and Regimens
  27. How To Combat Menopausal Weight Gain | This Morning
  28. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  29. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!]
  30. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP]
  31. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause]
  32. Let’s Talk About Menopause | Aware Webinar
  33. Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
  34. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
  35. Maintaining Your Weight and Health During and After Menopause
  36. Managing Menopausal Symptoms—Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Not the Only Option!
  37. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video]
  38. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  39. Menopausal Symptoms: Mood Disorders and the Menopausal Transition
  40. Menopause
  41. Menopause
  42. Menopause
  43. Menopause
  44. Menopause Explained
  45. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  46. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Menopause Body Image
  47. Menopause Mindfulness: A Personal Toolkit for Menopause Preparedness
  48. Menopause Mindfulness: Embracing the Change of My Midlife
  49. Menopause Patient Information [Videos: 5]: – 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  50. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series
  51. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Lifestyle Tips for Menopause Wellness
  52. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Mindfulness & Wellbeing During the Menopause Transition
  53. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  54. Menopause – How Will It Affect My Health? [Video]
  55. Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
  56. Mental & Emotional Wellbeing: Body Image
  57. Mental & Emotional Wellbeing: Confidence [+ Video]
  58. Mental Health
  59. Mindfulness
  60. Mindfulness Exercises
  61. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  62. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  63. Natural Remedies To Help Manage Perimenopause Symptoms
  64. Perimenopause
  65. Preparing for Menopause
  66. Resilience: Build Skills To Endure Hardship – Resilience and Mental Health: A Very Happy Brain [Video]
  67. Self-Care and Kindness: Finding A Solution To the Trigger of Our Anxiety
  68. Self-Esteem: Take Steps To Feel Better About Yourself
  69. Supporting A Loved One Through Menopause
  70. Supporting Women Through Menopause – Fact Sheet
  71. Taking Care of Your Mental Health
  72. The Association Between Sexual Function and Body Image Among Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
  73. Transformations: The Mental Health Issues That Can Accompany Menopause Often Go Unaddressed
  74. Types of Talking Therapies: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  75. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
  76. Video Series-2021: How Menopause Symptoms Can Affect Your Quality of Life
  77. Video Series-2022: Hormone Therapy: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
  78. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  79. Video Series-2022: Wellness: What Is It?
  80. Video: Researchers Emphasize Normalization of Menopause
  81. Videos and Podcasts Archive: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: How Do I Ideal With the Menopause After A Diagnosis of Gynecological Cancer?
  82. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews – What Women Should Know About Menopause and Brain Fog
  83. Webinars: Previous – Dealing With A Big Issue: Weight Gain At Midlife
  84. Webinars: Previous – Osteoporosis for Midlife Women and Beyond
  85. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  86. What Is Menopause?

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Fostering A Positive Self-Image – What Is Body-Image? This Document Was Last Reviewed on: 24 November 2020. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/healthy_living/hic_Stress_Management_and_Emotional_Health/hic_Fostering_a_Positive_Self-Image Accessed: 09 November 2022
  2. Body Image Report: Introduction – What Is Body Image? Mental Health Foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/body-image-report/intro Accessed: 09 November 2022
  3. Fostering A Positive Self-Image – What Is Body-Image? This Document Was Last Reviewed on: 24 November 2020. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/healthy_living/hic_Stress_Management_and_Emotional_Health/hic_Fostering_a_Positive_Self-Image Accessed: 09 November 2022
  4. Body Image Report: Introduction – What Is Body Image? Mental Health Foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/body-image-report/intro Accessed: 09 November 2022
  5. Mental & Emotional Wellbeing – Body Image: What Is Body Image? Last Updated: 14 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 10 March 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/mental-emotional-health/body-image Accessed: 09 November 2022
  6. Fostering A Positive Self-Image – What Is Body-Image? This Document Was Last Reviewed on: 24 November 2020. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/healthy_living/hic_Stress_Management_and_Emotional_Health/hic_Fostering_a_Positive_Self-Image Accessed: 09 November 2022
  7. Mental & Emotional Wellbeing – Body Image: What Affects Body Image? Last Updated: 14 January 2020 |   Last Reviewed 10 March 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/mental-emotional-health/body-image Accessed: 09 November 2022
  8. Mental & Emotional Wellbeing – Body Image: Menopause & Body Image. Last Updated: 14 January 2020 | Last Reviewed 10 March 2014 Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/mental-emotional-health/body-image Accessed: 09 November 2022
  9. Fostering A Positive Self-Image: Specific Steps To Enhance Body-Image. This Document Was Last Reviewed on: 24 November 2020. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/healthy_living/hic_Stress_Management_and_Emotional_Health/hic_Fostering_a_Positive_Self-Image Accessed: 09 November 2022
Topic Last Updated: 09 November 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 09 November 2022

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