While menopause can be challenging, for many women it also marks a new and positive stage in life. UNFPA debunks menopause myths and calls for action to combat stigma Health
Marilyn was in her early thirties when an older relative first broached the subject of menopause, a stage in a person’s life often referred to in Arabic as the “age of despair.” Ahead of World Menopause Day, celebrated annually on October 18, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is recalling the difficulties faced by people going through menopause and calling for action to combat the stigma surrounding it.
“My cousin told me, ‘Once you reach [that age], everything is over for you. Your movements will slow down, your life will change completely,’” the 52-year-old woman said as part of a campaign to destigmatize menopause. The project is supported by UNFPA, the United Nations agency for sexual and reproductive health.
“But I didn’t feel any of that,” says the interviewee. “I feel very energetic, and with each passing day I feel a growing desire to create. I have set goals for myself that I still intend to achieve.”
Menopause, a natural process of change that marks the end of menstruation, has long been a taboo and secrecy-shrouded topic. This stigma has led to millions of people around the world struggling to cope with the biological, social, emotional and psychological consequences of this transition.
UNFPA decided to shed light on this natural part of life and debunk the myths that fuel fear and misunderstanding. Here are just a few of the frequently asked questions about menopause.
Myth: Only severe menopause symptoms need to be treated.
While many people manage their menopause symptoms at home, talking to a doctor is important to ensure that everyone going through menopause has the tools they need to make the transition as pain-free as possible. Even common menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats can be linked to memory loss and changes in the structure, function, and connections of the brain.
Myth: Menopause only happens to women.
Transgender men and gender diverse people also go through menopause and need special support. There is a pressing need for more data in this area and for health care professionals to understand the specific needs of gender-differentiated individuals related to menopause and the aging process.
Myth: Postmenopausal women have no value to society.
The idea that women lose their value once their reproductive years are over is rooted in misogyny and is not true. The postmenopausal years of a woman’s life are as valuable as any other stage. Women at this age are able to contribute to the well-being of their family, participate in community life, learn new skills, and help others grow and develop.
How Menopause Affects Women’s Status in Society?
In addition to its biological effects, menopause has profound social, emotional, and psychological impacts that can affect the experiences of women and all people who menstruate. Women’s experiences of menopause are greatly influenced by sociocultural factors such as race, ethnicity, social class, and sexual orientation. Research shows that a woman’s quality of life during the menopausal transition is influenced by her emotional and physical health during the perimenopause, as well as her environment’s attitudes toward menopause and female aging.
For all women, leaving their reproductive years marks both a major change and a time for growth. Regardless of the differences in how it is experienced, the menopausal transition can provide a time to re-evaluate your attitudes toward health and lifestyle, and to re-examine your life goals.
In many cultures, menopause is viewed and celebrated as part of a fertility ritual. In some indigenous communities, menopausal women participate in ceremonies to receive physical and emotional healing and guidance for this new stage of life. Celebrating menopause gives women the freedom to feel powerful during this stage of life, which can signal greater financial independence, empowerment, and a higher level of self-care and confidence.
When we recognize women as whole people and members of society, rather than viewing childbearing as their sole purpose, we can ensure that older women are valued and feel worthy of care and support.
Can Menopause Be Avoided or Reversed?
For women and gender-diverse people with functioning ovaries, menopause is unavoidable. However, the symptoms and side effects of menopause can be managed.
When women have access to quality health care throughout their lives, they can better plan for menopause through healthy lifestyle choices, nutrition, and understanding their body’s needs. This can ease the menopausal transition and alleviate some symptoms.
What Are the Positive Effects of Menopause?
While menopause can be challenging, for many women it also marks a new and positive stage in life. Many people feel relieved that their periods have stopped and that they no longer need contraception.
For many, age 65 and older marks the end of menopausal symptoms, as well as retirement or downsizing from work. With children living on their own, this period can be a time of renewal, when people can redirect their energies to personal interests and new goals.
Many women use this time for personal growth, new hobbies, and even exploring new career paths. A life-course approach to health ensures that people feel supported throughout life and promotes a positive attitude toward aging and well-being.
Do men go through menopause? What is andropause, or “male menopause”?
The term andropause or “male menopause” is often used to refer to age-related hormonal changes that occur in men (and gender-diverse people). Such changes can include loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction, mental health issues, and other physical and emotional symptoms after age 45. The term can be misleading because it suggests that symptoms occur as a result of a sudden drop in testosterone in midlife, similar to the drop in estrogen experienced during menopause. While hormonal changes do occur, they tend to occur over a longer period of time.
Older adults, including men, should have regular medical checkups. Regular exercise, quality sleep, and a balanced diet can help maintain healthy testosterone levels. In some cases, testosterone replacement therapy can improve physical and emotional symptoms.
UNFPA Support
UNFPA is at the forefront of integrating menopause-related health services into broader sexual and reproductive health programmes. This approach helps reduce the stigma associated with menopause.
UNFPA also develops educational resources and advocates for workplace policies that support people through menopause. Above all, UNFPA works to break the silence around menopause so that women receive the support they need and continue to have a voice at this stage of their lives.