Menopause researcher?

I became a menopause detective and positively navigated this life stage.

I was studying for a psychology degree in 2018 and decided to review the research on Midlife women for my final year thesis, I was 51 years at the time.

What a revelation!!! We, sisters are the most understudied cohort in academia, the invisible women and boy! are there consequences to this… many of which are only emerging. Check out Caroline Criado Perez’s (2019) book “Invisible women”.

This started my quest reviewing the studies on menopause to date. In initially scanning the available literature I was perplexed by the constant negative rhetoric, degenerative, deficiency, loss, and crisis narratives abounded. None of which resonated with me having worked with women for most of my life as a Midwife and Public Health (community) Nurse in Ireland.

As Glennon Doyle states in her book “Untamed”, “Women do hard things” survive and can thrive.

I became a detective trying to unravel what had happened to the story around women at midlife in the literature.

This is what I discovered.

1.Many of the studies had been written by male medics essentially for other medics not really for women. e.g. Dr Robert Wilson and his denigrating book “Feminine Forever”.

2.Midlife women have remained without a voice for decades. It is only in recent years that we are accessing out own agency and being encouraged to use our voice.

3.Researchers are only beginning to ask and question the negative narrative surrounding this life phase, with academics in Australia calling for more studies on the positive aspects of transitioning through menopause.

4.The historical and cultural silence, stigma and taboo surrounding menopause has not helped women. Fundamentally, It is in breaking this silence and normalizing the conversation that will assist women most.

4.Today we have the greatest number of women globally entering and moving through their 50’s. These women are educated, economically independent, fit and healthy with studies pointing to the fact that we are looking at another 40 years of health and productivity if we so choose.

5.Change will come from grassroot women and women’s organizations speaking out breaking the silence realizing we women deserve better.

6.The TRUTH is there are many positives for women transitioning consciously through the menopausal years, remain curious and openminded. Reach out for support you deserve it.

The need for a NEW STORY about this life phase.

Having access to so much information as I navigated my perimenopause,(a word I had not heard of prior to 2017)enabled me to understand what was happening to me and access necessary resources and supports.

All women journeying through menopause deserve this information and support. I have seen first hand what a gamechanger education, understanding and support is for women.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MENOPAUSE REFRAMED?

Read about it as a time in life for second chances, opportunities, a rite of passage where women can access deeper courage and creativity. Leap and self -actualize?

Check out www.midlifewomenrockproject.com for lots of free information on stages, symptoms and supports on menopause.

There are also free monthly zoom midlife women rock cafes where we discuss all things menopause and midlife(mainly positive stuff).See website for details on how to join in