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THE PAUSE
This month is Menopause Awareness Month + October 18 was World Menopause Day.
As a 54-year-old woman, I feel a strange sense of duty to use my voice + platform to raise awareness about this pivotal life transition, while also helping normalize conversations around it.
The only problem? I don’t know HOW.
Seriously. It’s such a huge topic. Where do you start?
And, it’s complicated.
When I sat down to write this, my head was swirling with all kinds of points I wanted to make from both my own experience + the experts I follow.
But, it quickly became clear just how uncomfortable + awkward I am talking about menopause - especially when it comes to my own symptoms, thoughts + experiences.
Why is that? Where did that hesitation come from? And, I know I’m not the only one because I sense the same awkwardness from friends when the subject comes up.
Women learn at an early age to keep this stuff private.
The problem is, when we aren’t sharing this information, it makes it really challenging to figure out what’s ‘normal’ + what’s not.
How are women supposed to know whether something they are experiencing is a symptom of perimenopause or a different health concern? How do we know when to seek help?
We are also beginning to see how my generation is having a very different experience + facing a lot more symptoms than previous generations.
How do we help ensure the next generation is not even worse off?
THE MYSTERY
I have been fascinated with this life stage since I was in my mid-30s. I don’t know why. I’ve always had an interest in different life stages + women’s health. I have read countless books + articles about menopause over the years. And, in spite of proactively educating myself about this stage of life, there are still SO many things about it that have completely surprised me.
So, I thought that in the name of menopause awareness, I’d share some of the things that have surprised me most. I’ll bet you have a few, too.
Taboo. I was genuinely surprised to realize just how taboo this topic is. I mean sure, I can see that being the case a few generations back. But today? My generation (GenX) has been a lot more vocal about our experience, but in truth, once you get past the jokes + commentary about hot flashes + memory lapses, it gets pretty quiet out there.
Knowledge. Even today, the average woman really doesn’t have a clear picture or understanding of this stage of life until they are deep into it. And, we aren’t the only ones. A lot of doctors are as uncomfortable approaching the topic as we are. Most doctors receive about two hours of training about menopause in medical school. There is also a huge gap in medical research.
Because women were historically left out of medical research, we still know less about how the most widespread diseases like cancer or heart disease affect women, and less about how to prevent, diagnose, or treat these diseases in women. - The Commonwealth Fund
This gap is even bigger when it comes to research on issues that are specific to women like menopause + perimenopause.
Resources. It’s surprising how limited resources are. You’d think there would be some sort of standard set of things to do (and not do) during this stage. When pregnant or preparing for pregnancy, women get guidelines to help ensure a safe pregnancy + delivery. Yet, women receive no education about how to help ensure a smooth + safe ride through perimenopause + menopause.
Symptoms. I think for most women, the symptoms are a surprise. We are mostly prepared for the ones we hear about: skipping periods, memory lapses, hot flashes + night sweats. But, most of us completely missed the memo when it comes to other common symptoms like depression, anxiety, mental capacity, itchy skin, joint + muscle aches, thinning hair, dry eyes, weight gain - Shall I go on?
Identity. There’s a very significant shift in identity during this phase that most of us are not prepared for. It’s nature’s way of helping us shift from that caretaker role we served for others to one that cares for ourselves. This is a time in life when we get the chance to re-evaluate + reinvent ourselves. It should be an exciting time, but I didn’t realize just how uncelebrated this transition would be. In our culture, it’s easier to feel like you’re losing something than finding it.
Environment. We are quickly becoming aware of how things like endocrine-disrupting chemicals are wreaking havoc on our health. Most studies on this center around reproductive health as it relates to fertility, but this generation is really living through the impacts of these exposures + how they play out on the other end of our reproductive life. It is bringing in a whole slew of new health concerns + menopause symptoms that weren’t on our radar before.
Misinformation. My generation also lived through the Women’s Health Initiative debacle that left women terrified of any sort of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Today, the debate continues under a new term MHT + it’s challenging to sort through all the noise. Speaking of noise, social media + the Internet make it both overwhelming + challenging to find accurate information so you can be your own best advocate.
I spent most of my 30s with this theory that I could mitigate my physical symptoms of menopause by making healthy lifestyle choices. A clean diet. Strong fitness program. Solid sleep practices. Reducing exposures to toxins. Prioritizing stress management.
I spent the last two decades working on that theory with great success, but I definitely missed some of these things along the way. Things that could have made a world of difference in my life over the last ten years or so.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
I have a granddaughter who is in middle school. She is anxiously awaiting the start of her first period.
I remember that feeling - a combination of both excitement + terror. Do you?
There’s something mysterious + exciting about reaching that stage. Will I be the first of my friends to get it or the last? Who will I become on the other side of it?
At the same time, there’s a lot of fear. What if it starts at a bad time or I end up in an embarrassing situation?
It’s the same with menopause.
I find myself feeling just like I did 40 years ago at 14 when it all began. A little excited as I wonder each month if this period will be my last. At the same time, a little trepid about what life will be like on the other side.
Who will I become? What changes will ‘the change’ bring?
THE MARKET
The good news is that we are NOT alone! In fact, by 2025, 1 billion women will be in menopause. 12% of the entire world population!
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the market has finally taken notice of this huge opportunity. A recent report showed that the market for products + services addressing the needs of women experiencing menopause is as large as $600 billion.
78% percent of respondents to Female Founders Fund’s survey said menopause had interfered with their lives to some degree, and only 36% said they felt prepared for menopause. In a sign of perhaps the biggest unaddressed opportunity, 71% of respondents said they would benefit from a community around the menopause experience.
New companies are popping up all over the place. Celebrities like Naomi Watts + Stacy London are starting new ventures in this space.
Finally - we have some attention! And some new solutions.
The problem, of course, is that with so many new remedies coming down the pipeline, we have to be extra careful + remember that we are guinea pigs in many ways.
We are a HUGE market + everyone wants a piece of it.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Of course, this is also an opportunity for those of us who are in the throes of this stage to ask for + get what we need.
We have tremendous economic power + finally, some attention. Let’s do what we can to add to the data, not hide it. Let’s share our experiences with each other so we aren’t left wondering, ‘What’s wrong with me?’ or blindsided by symptoms we didn’t prepare for.
Let’s help each other feel supported + celebrated as we start the beginning of a new phase of life - a phase that demands great respect + reverence.
Ultimately, I’m excited to know that my generation will be pivotal in ensuring this transition is less confusing + more empowering for our daughters + granddaughters.
I want future generations to be excited about this stage of life + all it has to offer. To be healthy + prepared. Empowered + ready to utilize their experience + leadership skills to bring more purpose + fulfillment into the second half of life.
Women’s health is important. Let’s not make it one more thing we have to ‘buy’. Let’s make it something we demand. Together, we can make a healthier future for women around the world.
YOUR MISSION:
This week, I challenge you to brush up on menopause. If you’re in the middle of perimenopause, open up + share your experience with someone. If you’re not, but know someone who is, start a conversation + ask questions. Get curious. Learn something. That’s where change starts.
RESOURCES:
READ: Hotflash Inc. | I love this newsletter featuring real-time journalism
READ: Women Today Are More Likely To Have Hot Flashes — Are EDCs To Blame? | mbgHealth
READ: Menopause is a $600 billion opportunity, report finds | Fortune
READ: Menopause | World Health Organization
READ: International Menopause Society
READ: Magnificent Midlife | Rachel Lankester
WATCH: Remember this scene from All in the Family? We’ve come a long way…but still so far to go!
IN SUMMARY:
It’s going to be interesting to watch all of this unfold over the next few decades. As we learn more about menopause + start experimenting with solutions, it’s going to be vital that we share our stories + experiences.
Let’s not let it be a surprise. Let’s help women reach this stage well-informed + in peak health.
I also think it is crucial we stop making light of the symptoms we experience. If you are experiencing symptoms that are disrupting your life, be your own advocate. You don’t have to suffer through it. Get the support you need + remember you’re not alone. When you seek out the help you need, it’s going to help someone else down the line.
See you next week?
Meanwhile - you can read thru the archives here. And, please reach out to me anytime!
Email: karen@becounter.com
Instagram: @redefiningkaren
OMG, the second half of "symptoms" (the unknown common ones) and I think I have them all!
Truth is I went through menopause several years ago so I think these current symptoms are a
result of the age disease!! Great Lift for so many today.
Good post and you're right, there are so many issues and aspects involved. For me, also 54, I've been in a rush to get it over with and have been impatient with how uncertain and non-linear my progression to full menopause has been. I also wish there were more clearcut advice on hormone replacement therapy and whether & when to start it. This give us more to talk about for our virtual coffee chat tomorrow :-)