Menopause has gone mainstream: What does this mean for women today?

Menopause used to be a topic shrouded in mystery and stigma. Despite being a natural life transition, it was rarely discussed privately and never discussed publicly. But that didn’t stop women wanting to know about it.

Jean Hailes for Women’s Health has been producing and promoting information on menopause for more than 30 years. Our first public awareness campaign about menopause was a national roadshow in 1996 and I’m told we had to change venues at least once because so many people turned up.

It’s much easier now, with social media, to listen to what different groups of women want to know and to keep promoting the facts and evidence. We’re seeing more open and honest conversations. Governments and employers are taking notice. Plus, there’s a growing push by women for GPs and other health professionals to know more about menopause.

But there’s also a growing menopause problem

This problem is misinformation and it’s an issue for many areas in the health sector. It’s getting harder to cut through the ever-increasing noise from social media influencers and companies selling products or services. Women are being bombarded with information that isn’t always based on evidence. They’re also being sold ‘solutions’ that haven’t been tested for safety and quality.

I worry about the potentially damaging consequences of this. We must counter misinformation and help women avoid falling victim to false promises.

Get the facts about menopause

A great way to navigate the ups and downs of menopause is through education. But these days, this means being educated about spotting misinformation too.

So, first consider where your information is coming from. If someone is actively selling a menopause product or service, it pays to be wary about the information they provide on menopause. If someone is sharing their story or opinion, but doesn’t have relevant qualifications or isn’t from a trusted, credible organisation, then double-check what they have to say with a trusted, credible organisation, such as Jean Hailes.

Jean Hailes is a national not-for-profit that has a long history in menopause and the government chose us – decades ago – to act as the national digital gateway for women’s health information.

We offer loads of free, evidence-based and easy-to-understand resources that can help you navigate menopause and perimenopause. For example, there’s our Menopause symptom checklist, How to talk to your doctor about menopause and fact sheets in community languages.

We were also invited to be the community education partner at this year's International Menopause Society Congress. We used this opportunity to put some of the most commonly asked questions to menopause experts from around the world. The result is this must-see video.

Another great resource is the Australasian Menopause Society (AMS), which has a Find an AMS doctor service. You can use it to find doctors with a special interest in menopause. And if you want to look abroad for more information, try the British Menopause Society, the North American Menopause Society or the International Menopause Society.

There’s lots of great information out there. It’s about knowing where to go.