What Is Menopause, Really? Breaking the Silence
“I thought I was losing my mind… turns out, I was just in perimenopause.”
– Every second woman I’ve ever spoken to.
It usually starts subtly. A missed period. A hot flush that sneaks up on you in the middle of a Zoom meeting. A night where you sleep like you’re being chased by a bear. And then you Google it—leaving you confused or scared.
Despite the fact that menopause affects half the population, it remains shrouded in misinformation, shame, and silence.
Let’s change that. Right now.
The Language of Menopause Matters
Here’s the thing: “Menopause” isn’t one moment—it’s a transition. And like any meaningful life change, it happens in phases.
Perimenopause: This is the lead-up, often lasting 4–10 years. Hormones fluctuate like a rollercoaster. Periods get weird. Symptoms begin.
Menopause: Defined as 12 consecutive months without a period. It’s a retrospective diagnosis.
Postmenopause: Everything that follows—and yes, support is still essential here.
Medical or Induced Menopause: When menopause is triggered by surgery (e.g., hysterectomy with ovary removal), chemotherapy, radiation, or certain medications.
This form is often sudden and can be more intense physically and emotionally due to the abrupt hormonal shift.
Too often, women only realize they’re in perimenopause when they’re already overwhelmed by symptoms—emotional swings, anxiety, brain fog, low libido, joint pain, or exhaustion that no amount of coffee can touch. Whether it’s gradual, early, or medically induced, menopause deserves recognition, understanding, and personalised support.
The Cultural Silence Is Part of the Problem
We don’t talk about menopause in school. We rarely talk about it at work. It isn’t front and centre in medical appointments unless we push.
The result? Women blame themselves. They feel broken. Alone. Ashamed. And they often delay support until symptoms become unbearable. This silence creates suffering.
But here’s the truth:
Menopause is not a disease. It’s a biological, emotional, and spiritual rite of passage. It deserves respect, understanding, and informed support.
Oriental Medicine Offers a Different View
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, menopause is seen as a time when a woman’s Yin energy begins to decline. It’s not a failure—it’s a rebalancing. The body is shifting toward a new harmony. The goal is to support that shift, not fight it.
You’re not “drying up.” You’re consolidating wisdom. You’re evolving.
What Can You Do Right Now?
Track your symptoms. Start noticing what’s changing—not with judgment, but with curiosity.
Speak it aloud. To a friend, a practitioner, or even in your journal. Language is liberation.
Educate yourself. Knowledge is power—but wisdom is action.
Ready to Start Mapping Your Menopause?
I’ve created the Menopause Map Experiment, a free 5-day intro to understanding your symptoms, hormones, and energy patterns—combining MBSR and Oriental Medicine.
➡️ [Join here]
Let’s decode what your body is telling you—together.