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Battling Menopause with Conviction, Community, and Comedy

Battling Menopause

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 47 million women enter menopause each year.

Although significant strides have been made in research, symptom management, and shifting cultural biases, menopause has been misunderstood, under-researched, and a taboo topic for way too long. We still have a long way to go towards dispelling lingering misperceptions and providing comprehensive solutions for the widespread and long-term impact it continues to have.

 

How it Started

 

Before the 1800s, Menopause was viewed as a pathological condition and was assigned treatment modalities that were as absurd as the medical diagnosis itself. Women endured ridiculous “remedies” in addition to bearing a stigma that did not inspire compassion or scientific curiosity.

 

The discovery of estrogen therapy around 1930 was a promising development; however, it was considered a last resort in favor of other medical interventions. A growing women’s advocacy movement around 1960 eventually led to the increased use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, it was largely promoted as a way for women to preserve youth and femininity, which probably elicited a collective eye roll from those striving to create a better narrative.

 

Despite the growing momentum for more menopause research and treatment through the mid-20th century, education for medical providers is still lacking. A 2023 survey found that over 90% of obstetrics and gynecology residency program directors in the U.S. agreed that residents should have access to a standardized menopause curriculum, yet less than a third reported that their programs actually offer one. This knowledge gap potentially sets health care providers up to be ill-equipped to deliver suitable care to half of their patients.

 

How it’s Going

 

The global menopause market is set to expand from $17.66 billion in 2024 to $27.63 billion by 2033.3

This is driving an increased investment in pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products, and technology (coined FemTech), as well as an onslaught of start-up companies focused on creating diagnostic tools to alleviate symptoms and improve health and quality of life.

 

Newer ventures like Midi Health, Femgevity, gennev, and Winona  are connecting women to virtual menopause-specific health care providers. While established companies like WeightWatchers are recognizing and responding to the need to provide relief from symptoms so that women can feel their best.

 

Additionally, the growth of social media has provided a platform to educate, connect, and inspire through virtual communities, podcasts, and influencers. There has been an influx of online resources established to join the effort to amplify women’s demands for respectful, informed care and support.

Celebrity activists have leveraged their high profile to raise awareness and shed light on the need for more comprehensive care. Last spring, actor Halle Berry made headlines when she boldly shouted, “I’m in menopause!” outside the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., challenging the silence that has long surrounded this inevitable life stage for women. Her declaration is a part of a broader cultural shift, where women are beginning to push back against the stigma and shame that have historically defined menopause.

 

 “I think a real hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.” ~  Maya Angelou

 

While public figures spark national conversations, grassroots leaders are building everyday backyard revolutions. Melani Sanders (@justbeingmelani) dons a well-worn bathrobe as her cape and wields her voice as a powerful weapon. She never expected the kind of response that she received to a spontaneous video she made of herself sharing her exhaustion and frustration amid her battle with menopause. Her honest and humorous approach to calling out how women are tired of shouldering both the burden of societal expectations and the effects of menopause has deeply resonated with her growing followers. “The We Do Not Care Club (WDNC),” a virtual perimenopause and menopause-club-turned-movement, was born and currently has 783K followers on Instagram. Sanders has created a place for women from around the world to laugh, share their own experiences, and even be inspired to start their own local WDNC clubs. She is leading by example that women no longer must feel ashamed or stay silent. Sanders' philosophy is that “women want to be seen, heard, and valued as we are, not as we used to be or are expected to be. We’re not chasing youth; we’re chasing the truth. Midlife isn’t a crisis, it’s a wake-up call — one that says, ‘Hey, most of that stuff you worried about? It doesn’t matter.’”

 

Conclusion


Throughout history, women have fought to be seen and heard. Whether it’s speaking out for health reform and research funding, demanding access to more informed and better care, providing online educational information, or creating grassroots communities for care and support, women are empowered to effect change. We understand the power of linking arms and raising a collective voice, and we will continue to work toward breaking down the stigma and shifting the narrative.

 

And to all the detractors, deniers, and skeptics who prefer that we remain silent, we do not care.

 

Resources

 

Community Support



 

Emerging Femtech

AI-Powered Virtual Menopause Platforms




Her Nexx Chapter invites you to join our Community where women from around the world are connecting, exploring, and transforming lives.


The Future of Connection for Women


Melissa Duban
Melissa Duban

I’m Melissa Duban, and I’m thrilled to join Her Nexx Chapter as an Editorial Assistant. I bring a background in psychology and years of experience in healthcare communications. My passion lies in empathetic storytelling and women's empowerment. I look forward to creating content that resonates, informs, and inspires.


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