Menopause: A Journey of Resistance, Rebirth, and Reckoning
Menopause. The word alone seems to conjure up a mix of resistance and misunderstanding, a term cloaked in mystery, eliciting avoidance as though it belongs in a category of its own—like the word "labradoodle." We know it’s real, we know it exists, but it remains distant, an enigma. It's one of those things we push aside, like life’s certainties: taxes, gravity, and aging. But unlike those certainties, menopause remains elusive in terms of understanding. What is it, really? Why does it happen? Where does it lead us, and most importantly, why do we resist the conversation around it?
In many ways, menopause feels like a tumbleweed crossing an arid, dry passage. Where is it going? Why do we have to endure it? Why does this "change" seem inevitable, yet no one seems to truly understand it—or at least talk about it openly? Society expects us to grin and bear it. Imagine if other conditions were treated in the same way. Would caregivers tell a patient diagnosed with diabetes, “I’m sorry sir, you have diabetes. My suggestion is drinking more water. Rest. Take better care of yourself. Take a load off”? No. Yet, this is often the subtle messaging women receive about menopause: endure it, don’t complain, keep moving forward.
The Silent Struggle
Let’s face it—menopause is a major life event, but it's treated like a footnote in a woman’s life, a side effect of being female rather than the significant biological transition that it is. This isn’t just about hot flashes, sleepless nights, or mood swings. It’s about the intersection of physical, emotional, and social realities that come with this stage of life.
The facts are indisputable. Women make up the majority of the workforce and are still bearing the brunt of social inequities, often balancing careers, caregiving roles, and household responsibilities. And within that context, menopause happens—another layer of invisible labor that women must shoulder. But the societal approach to menopause is dismissive. It's not seen as a part of healthcare or workplace discourse. In fact, it's rarely talked about at all.
Beyond Pay Gaps: The Untold Inequities Women Face
When we talk about inequities women face, it goes far beyond the gender pay gap or reproductive rights. It’s about the broader spectrum of opportunity—or rather, the lack of opportunity—to be treated better, especially as we age. From birth, women are categorized by physical attributes and later, behavioral ones. Society expects us to be nurturing, patient, resilient. Yet, as we age, society's focus often shifts from our potential to our perceived decline.
Menopause becomes a convenient marker for this supposed decline—a signal that we are past our "prime." It's the unspoken assumption that menopause means the end of vitality, beauty, or relevance. But why? Why is aging in men often seen as gaining wisdom and gravitas, while aging in women is framed as a loss of worth?
The truth is, menopause is not the end of anything—it’s a transition. And like all transitions, it comes with challenges but also the potential for new beginnings. It’s a time when many women rediscover their strength, their voice, and their sense of self, unburdened by societal expectations of youth and beauty.
Reframing Menopause: A Time of Power, Not Decline
Imagine a world where menopause is celebrated, acknowledged as a powerful transformation rather than a biological inconvenience. Imagine workplaces that understand the unique challenges menopausal women face and offer support—flexible working conditions, healthcare benefits that include menopause-related treatments, and most importantly, a culture that normalizes the conversation.
What if instead of being told to “grin and bear it,” women were given the tools, the care, and the understanding they need to navigate this stage of life with dignity and empowerment? What if we reframed menopause as a time of growth, wisdom, and resilience, not a decline in productivity or value?
Taking Action
It's time to break the silence. It’s time to recognize that menopause is not a niche issue—it affects every woman, directly or indirectly, and impacts families, communities, and workplaces. For real change to happen, we need to shift the narrative. We need to make menopause part of the broader conversation about women’s health, equity, and well-being.
Let’s start by educating ourselves and others. Let’s start by demanding better—from healthcare providers, employers, and society at large. Menopause isn’t just a “woman’s issue”—it’s a human issue. We all benefit from a world where women are supported and valued throughout every stage of their lives.
In the end, menopause isn’t something to resist or fear—it’s an inevitable part of life’s passage. And just like those tumbling weeds, it’s not about where they’re going; it’s about what they carry along the way. For women, menopause can be a period of rediscovery, renewal, and the beginning of a powerful new chapter. Let's recognize it as such.
