Dear Editor,

Menopause affects half the world’s population yet the issue remains shrouded in secrecy.

The United Nations Population Fund adds that menopause affects more than one in five members of the global workforce, yet menopause is often dismissed, stigmatised, and misunderstood, leaving many women to endure this phase in silence. The discrimination many women face is further rooted in the medicalisation of women’s bodies.

World Menopause Day is celebrated every year on October 18. The day is set aside to raise awareness of menopause and highlight the support options available for those experiencing it. The theme this year was ‘Menopause Hormone Therapy’.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that for most women menopause is marked by the end of monthly menstruation due to loss of ovarian follicular function. This means that the ovaries stop releasing eggs for fertilisation.

The regularity and length of the menstrual cycle varies across a woman’s reproductive life span, but the age at which natural menopause occurs is generally between 45 and 55 years for women worldwide.

The WHO further states that natural menopause is deemed to have occurred after 12 consecutive months without menstruation, for which there is no other obvious physiological or pathological cause and in the absence of clinical intervention. Some women experience menopause earlier (before 40 years of age). This premature menopause may be because of certain chromosomal abnormalities, autoimmune disorders, or other unknown causes. It is not possible to predict when a woman will experience menopause, although there are associations between the age at menopause and certain demographic, health, and genetic factors.

Symptoms associated with menopause include:

1) Hot flashes and night sweats. Hot flashes refer to a sudden feeling of heat in the face, neck, and chest, often accompanied by flushing of the skin, perspiration, palpitations, and acute feelings of physical discomfort which can last several minutes.

2) Changes in the regularity and flow of the menstrual cycle, culminating in cessation of menstruation

3) Vaginal dryness

4) Pain during sexual intercourse

5) Incontinence

6) Difficulty sleeping

7) Changes in mood

8) Depression and anxiety

It is not uncommon for some menopausal women to enter into depression as they navigate this stage of their lives. It is, therefore, critical that a community of support be available to scaffold our sisters.

Let us advocate for menopause-friendly workplace policies. Flexible working hours, accessible health resources, and a comfortable work environment are key to addressing the unique challenges women may face.

Men also need to be more sensitive to the needs of their partners and spouses during this phase and give meaningful support.

In the words of actress Dame Helen Mirren: “Life doesn’t end with menopause; it’s the beginning of a new adventure. Strap in and enjoy the ride!”

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com