INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Sick of the stigma that surrounds menopause and frustrated by the lack of information, and the disengagement from the medical profession,
they are speaking up, setting up support groups, introducing workplace training, and even raising the issue in parliament.Writing about this
nascent movement in the Guardian, Zimbabwean Sue Mbaya, who hosts a menopause podcast, invites other women to add their voices to the
growing calls for the menopause to be recognised and acknowledged as something with far-reaching consequences for women and for society
around them.Similar discussions are happening in Asia and Latin America, where women are challenging entrenched views about their worth as
an online network of influencers who are talking openly about their experiences has been a huge help.Globally, the number of post-menopausal
In 2021, women aged 50 and over accounted for 26% of all women and girls worldwide, up from 22% 10 years earlier
Yet few receive the advice or care they want and need
Now 59, she had menopause induced at the age of 47 after being treated for endometrial cancer
Her cancer is now in remission, but she is still suffering from menopausal symptoms.The symptoms that bother her the most are hot flushes,
night sweats and chills; vaginal dryness and itchiness; and loss of libido
But there are others, notably brain fog, irritability, tiredness and weight gain
public health system, but Lobo has been advised against it due to her history of cancer
She has tried a variety of other treatments to alleviate her discomfort, including expensive vaginal laser therapy, but on a daily basis
relies on regular exercise and occasionally antidepressants.Although Lobo feels that the conversation around menopause has progressed since
she first entered this phase of her life, she says it remains largely taboo in Brazil
city obsessed with appearances and living life to the full.View image in fullscreenLobo talks to her two daughters, who are in their
twenties, and her partner about menopause, but they are not very receptive
Her female friends want to skirt round the subject
Even talking to medical professionals is a challenge, in her experience
has found a support network on social media
planning and contraceptives.A visit to the doctor revealed that she was experiencing early menopause
in fullscreenLucia Valentino Roman, a midwife and reproductive health officer, experienced menopause early at 38
Photograph: Florence Miettaux/the GuardianNot being able to have more children did not upset Roman as she had already agreed with her
husband that five was enough
also lost interest in her social life
says, recalling stories of husbands suspecting their wives of secretly using a contraceptive, or accusing them of being cursed.View image in
fullscreenRoman with two of her five children: Saida Jimmy, 22, left, and Juliana Jimmy, 18
In rural areas in particular, women tend to ignore the symptoms
as a driver for an international organisation, died in a violent incident in the north of the country
Roman could therefore have become the wife of a brother or other male relative of her husband after his death
Being menopausal helped avert this
She gave up sweets and goes to yoga four times a week
It seems to be working.But not long ago, she says, her hot flushes were out of control
She would wake up soaked in sweat and have to throw her blankets off, then wake up cold and have to put them back on again, several times a
moments of not being able to focus and finds it hard to control her weight.She feels lucky to have a few friends who are also going through
her native Venezuela are societies that prize youth and beauty.This is reflected in the language, she says
years ago, immediately after her hysterectomy
She had been suffering for years with a uterine fibroid, which she now believes was a precursor to menopause and the change in hormone
However, no doctors told her that at the time, nor did her gynaecologist warn her, that she may become perimenopausal after the
operation.She has not been back to the hospital or gynaecologist since, saying nothing she has experienced so far has been as painful as the
strong woman who could take everything in her stride
So when menopausal symptoms arrived in her mid-50s, she tried to cope with the physical and mental fatigue, hot flushes, brain fog, loss of
Photograph: Elke Scholiers/the GuardianShe eventually consulted doctors but found them dismissive
Her husband, Sunil, was upset by her mood swings and listlessness, particularly as she had previously been outgoing, sociable and upbeat.The
sympathy she showed me was a vast improvement on my experience with the medical professionPayal TalrejaBut their marriage had always been
characterised by frank discussion of their feelings
changes made a difference, but what I can say is that the sympathy she showed me was a vast improvement on my experience with the medical
sweats, bouts of insomnia and lower sex drive, Naijeria Toweett felt some trepidation
Then her periods stopped and she realised she was going through menopause.At first, she did not dwell on it much
Then her symptoms got worse
Usually organised to a fault, Toweett began to be increasingly disconcerted by small things
The mother of three would forget to salt her chapatis, constantly misplaced her glasses or returned from shopping without the groceries she
fullscreenNaijeria Toweett, a software engineer, says being able to work remotely was a lifeline in helping to cope with symptoms
Photograph: Kang-Chun Cheng/the GuardianAt home, minor annoyances could ignite outbursts that left her husband flummoxed
Toweett, who is a software engineer and works remotely, says flexible work arrangements were a lifeline, enabling her to keep the
understood, but it also troubled her how much they all had to navigate without support or advice
Toweett, who has worked in the reproductive health field for nearly two decades, says that unlike periods, sex and sexually transmitted
Toweet has no recollection of her 72-year-old mother navigating it or telling her what to expect, as she had with other reproductive health
issues.View image in fullscreenNaijeria Toweett and her husband, Matthew Ondiege, at home in the Donholm suburb of Nairobi
Photograph: Kang-Chun Cheng/the GuardianToweett found information online and was helped by a former colleague, who was training to become a
certified menopause coach and advised her on symptoms, medical treatments and lifestyle adjustments.She also joined online support groups
with global memberships, but wishes there were more Kenyan communities where she could find more tailored advice on dietary plans and the
accessibility of medical treatments such as HRT in the country
Some hospitals offer treatment, but it is too expensive for many
She is sharing the information, and her experiences, with her two daughters, in the hope that they will be better equipped for the
year that Farhana Jahan first felt something was wrong
Photograph: Farzana Hossen/the GuardianAfter discussing it with friends, she made an appointment with the doctor
Hot flushes have become more frequent and she breaks out in sweats when she least expects it
Jahan thinks workplaces should take the initiative to educate staff and create menopause-friendly environments.Jahan has tried to make
lifestyle changes, eating more healthily and exercising more
She has also been using her art as therapy; there are striking handpainted pieces scattered around her Dhaka apartment
access to counselling, Jahan believes
Dr Zinnat Nasreen, at the Bangladesh Menopause Society, has been trying to raise awareness of menopause and the support available for women
This article first appeared/also appeared in theguardian.com
