
Growing up, most of learned about puberty and menstruation in school. It was presented as a biological milestone—unavoidable, universal, and significant. Adverts and TV shows mirrored this, with campaigns normalizing the experience of young girls navigating their changing bodies. While there’s still room for progress, menstruation has found its way into everyday conversations, science classes, and even marketing campaigns.
But menopause? That’s an entirely different story.
Where’s the Conversation?
Think back to your school days: Was menopause mentioned in the same breath as menstruation during biology class? Did you see any TV shows or adverts portraying it as a normal, significant life stage? Or was it completely absent—something you only heard about in whispers or saw caricatured in comedy sketches?
When it comes to menstruation, we’ve seen progress. From episodes of Black-ish that discuss puberty openly, to the notorious opening scenes of Carrie where menstruation is central to the story, and even the quiet acknowledgment in Mad Men that changing bodies shape women’s professional lives, menstruation has found a place in storytelling. But menopause? It’s nearly invisible in pop culture. Can you recall a single mainstream film or TV show that takes menopause seriously as a narrative theme, or even portrays it at all?
For too many of us, menopause remains shrouded in silence. And when it does make its way into cultural or media representation, it’s often the butt of the joke:
The angry, hormonal boss who loses her cool.
The forgetful woman who can’t remember what she walked into the room for.
The perspiring wreck trying to fan herself through a meeting.
These stereotypes reduce menopause to a punchline, trivialising an experience that’s profound, personal, and often deeply challenging.
The Role of Our Elders
Another layer to the silence around menopause lies in how it was—or wasn’t—discussed by those who came before us. Many of us learned about menstruation from our mothers or grandmothers, either through explicit conversations or shared cultural practices. But how often did those same role models talk about menopause?
For some, menopause may have been framed as a taboo topic, something to endure quietly without drawing attention. For others, it was never addressed at all—just a phase that happened in the background of family life. This generational silence has left many of us without a blueprint for navigating this life stage, compounding feelings of isolation and confusion.
By acknowledging and reflecting on how menopause was treated in our families, we can break the cycle of silence for the next generation.
The Cost of Silence
This cultural silence has a cost—not just for individuals but for workplaces, families, and society as a whole. When we don’t talk about menopause:
Women, trans men or trans masc people experiencing it feel isolated, unsure if what they’re going through is “normal.”
Workplaces remain unprepared to offer meaningful accommodations, leading to burnout and attrition.
Leaders lose opportunities to model vulnerability and resilience, missing a chance to normalise this life stage for others.
This silence reinforces stigma and shame, making it harder for those experiencing menopause to advocate for themselves or even seek the support they deserve.
Why Menopause Deserves Respect
Menopause is more than hot flashes and hormone shifts. It’s a natural biological process that signifies a significant life transition. And just like puberty or pregnancy, it deserves education, understanding, and respect.
For me, supporting leaders experiencing menopause aligns deeply with my commitment to helping individuals from marginalised groups gain and retain a place at the leadership table. Menopause, though universal for many, often intersects with other barriers—gender identity, age, ethnicity, and more—that have historically excluded people from leadership opportunities. These barriers can compound during menopause, making it even harder for leaders to thrive and progress.
By providing coaching and resources, my aim is to empower leaders to navigate this phase confidently and strategically, ensuring that menopause does not derail their careers or undermine their hard-won successes. This work isn’t just about managing symptoms—it’s about equity, inclusion, and making sure every leader has the tools to succeed.
Cultural narratives shape how we see ourselves—and how others see us. By changing the narrative around menopause, we can create a world where this life stage is no longer dismissed or mocked but embraced and supported.
Menopause is more than hot flashes and hormone shifts. It’s a natural biological process that signifies a significant life transition. And just like puberty or pregnancy, it deserves education, understanding, and respect.
Imagine if, instead of jokes, menopause was portrayed:
As a time of growth and self-discovery.
As an opportunity to redefine personal and professional priorities.
As a phase where individuals could lean on their strengths and build new ones.
How Do We Start the Conversation?
As leaders, educators, and advocates, we have the power to change how menopause is viewed. Here are a few ways to get started:
Normalise Discussions: Make menopause part of health education in schools, alongside puberty and menstruation.
Demand Representation: Push for media and advertising campaigns that portray menopause with honesty and dignity.
Advocate for Workplace Policies and Practices: Ensure organisations have menopause-inclusive policies that support employees at all stages of their career.
Share Stories: Personal experiences have power. The more we share, the more we normalise menopause and place it in the arena of the everyday.
What About You?
Let’s continue the conversation. I’d love to hear your thoughts:
Why do you think menopause isn’t discussed as openly as menstruation?
What changes would you like to see in how menopause is represented in schools, workplaces, or media?
How has silence around menopause impacted your own or someone else’s experience?
Share your insights in the comments—your voice matters in reshaping this narrative.
Comentários