Menopause may in fact be the worst time to be married, according to your spouse anyway. It’s no picnic for you, but clearly, they’re not “living the dream either.”

The mood swings and other “oh-so-delightful” symptoms can literally drive them crazy in more ways than one. Some say that it's like PMS time ten (or even twenty)!

Sounds like a walk in the park, now doesn’t it?

But the good news is that while all of this is true, there is one simple way to ensure you don’t drive your spouse completely crazy – simply explain to them what you're going through. Sounds easy, right?

The more they know about menopause and all of the physical and mental symptoms you’re swimming in, the better they can help you deal with them. In the end, you won't drive your spouse too crazy (hopefully), and they'll be able to properly support you.

So, what’s on the list for this important campfire talk that will keep you from driving your spouse up a wall? Let’s explore!

One of the most annoying symptoms of menopause takes place in the bedroom. Ugh! Not only do women not want sex as often (thanks to that lack of libido), but they also tend to enjoy it less because of vaginal dryness.

Seriously, can we catch a break? Explaining this to your spouse can be tricky because sex is often a way of connecting and spending time together without anyone else around.

Thankfully, there are some solutions to these issues, such as using lube and spending more time on foreplay to help get in the mood.

But being upfront with your spouse will allow them to understand it’s you, not them!

You’re not going crazy, but the mood swings, depression, and anxiety make up a swirling ball of mental issues that go hand in hand with menopause that you need to address.

It's common to be in a good mood one minute and a crappy one the next, simply because you misinterpreted a look or decided that your spouse's comment sounded frostier than it really was.

This tends to lead to confusing arguments and epic misunderstandings.

In addition to the uncontrolled mood swings, women often end up with mild depression and anxiety as they swim through the sea of menopause – oh the joys!

Since reproductive hormones play a role in regulating serotonin and other brain chemicals, this makes perfect sense. Increased depression and anxiety can also make your mood swings worse, which is something that your spouse needs to understand. So, be fair and give them the courtesy of the “caution flag.”

Now, it's time to talk about some of the other symptoms of menopause, the physical ones to be precise. These include things like night sweats (which can lead to insomnia, although the inability to sleep often pops up on its own), chills, and hot flashes.

There's nothing quite like feeling comfortable one minute and overheated the next. It's fun, isn't it? Plus, your hair will begin to thin, you may gain weight in the belly region, and your breasts will lose their fullness.

Basically, you won't feel like yourself anymore, which can cause plenty of those aforementioned mood swings. And thus, the vicious cycle has begun!

Again, your spouse may or may not be noticing these things, so verbally communicating their effects on your is key.

Talk, talk, talk it out!

While menopause brings about a number of physical and mental changes, women and their spouses need to understand that there are plenty of available solutions to prevent you both from hopping aboard the crazy train.

Hormone replacement therapy can help ease some of the physical symptoms, while speaking to a therapist can assist with some of the mental issues.

Additionally, if you don't want to ingest chemicals on a daily basis and prefer an all-natural solution, there are beverages out there, like menopause support teas, designed to combat the symptoms of menopause with a combination of all-natural herbs and other supplements that work.

So, add a “kumbaya moment” with your spouse to your checklist, and save your spouse some headaches.

Simply opening up and expressing how you’re feeling and what you’re going through is truly the fastest route to helping your spouse understand what to expect, how to help, and when to give some much-needed space!