In a world of nearly 3.8 billion women, menopause is an inevitable reality for half our global population.
Despite its universality – with an estimated 1.2 billion women approaching or experiencing menopause by 2030 – it’s a hushed topic in women’s health conversations. And this silence around it breeds fear and misinformation, leaving many unprepared and anxious about this natural transition. Compounding the problem is a significant lack of menopause-focused training for medical professionals.
Did you know: A 2020 UK survey revealed that 40% of women seeking medical advice for menopause symptoms were told to simply live with it! In regions like Asia and Africa, discussions on menopause are even less common, and women’s experiences remain largely undocumented.
As a result, we notice a common sentiment: A sense of inevitability – resignation to ‘suffer through it’ without knowledge of the choices and remedies available or lack of adequate support.
Let’s redefine the menopause
It’s time to shift our perspective and approach menopause not as a problem to be endured but as a natural stage of life that warrants understanding and support.
Menopause is much more than just the end of menstruation. It involves complex hormonal changes that impact a woman’s physical, mental, and emotional health.
Here’s a quick guide to the main stages of menopause:
- Premenopause: The years leading up to menopause, where women typically have regular menstrual cycles.
- Perimenopause: The transitional phase before menopause, marked by symptoms due to hormonal fluctuations.
- Menopause: When a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. Interestingly, it’s technically a single day.
- Postmenopause: The years following menopause, which can span a third of a woman’s life
Menopause experiences – across all stages – are deeply personal
Approximately 80% of women experience symptoms during the menopause transition, with a quarter of them considering theirs to be severe.
There are at least 35 common menopausal symptoms, ranging from hot flushes and night sweats to brain fog and weight gain, varying in duration and intensity.
For some women, these symptoms may last a decade or more, profoundly impacting their personal and professional lives.
In the UK, for instance, up to 42% of women have considered leaving their jobs due to menopausal discomforts, with around 10% actually resigning.
Now, you have the power to make a difference
As thought leaders in health and wellness, we are uniquely positioned to lead the change in how menopause is perceived and managed.
Whether you’re a nutritionist, dietitian, personal trainer, medical professional, someone approaching this phase of life or want to support a loved one who’s currently navigating it – understanding menopause is more than an academic exercise; it’s an opportunity to positively influence women’s lives around the world.
But remember, it’s not just a ‘women’s issue’ – menopause impacts families, relationships, and workplaces.
So let’s build a world where menopause is not feared but embraced as a part of life, where women don’t just survive but thrive during this phase in life.
For some women, these symptoms may last a decade or more, profoundly impacting their personal and professional lives.
In the UK, for instance, up to 42% of women have considered leaving their jobs due to menopausal discomforts, with around 10% actually resigning.
Want to dive deeper?
If you want to learn more about menopause and its symptoms, the Menopausal Symptoms Handbook is a fantastic starting point.
Plus, it’s a great primer for our upcoming interactive CPD-CEU webinar with Chief Science Educator Alex Ruani, and CEO Maurice Castelijn, where we’ll dive into science-backed strategies and insights on this topic — and pull back the curtains on our much-awaited Menopause Health Continuing Education Certification.
