Let’s Talk Menopause!

International Women’s Month is ending and earlier today, women from all walks of life gathered to openly discuss the often-taboo topic of menopause. The event, filled with heartfelt stories and expert insights, aimed to break the silence and provide much-needed support and education on this natural phase of life. Attendees left feeling empowered and more connected, ready to embrace the changes with confidence and understanding.  With more on today’s forum, here is News Five’s Isani Cayetano.

 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life, but it’s often surrounded by silence and stigma. It’s simply a natural aging process where the ovaries stop producing reproductive hormones, and monthly periods cease for twelve consecutive months. By talking openly about menopause, we can normalize the experience and break the taboo around this natural hormonal change.

 

Dr. Melissa Diaz-Musa, Director of Public & Wellness

“We do have over fifty, almost sixty health facilities across the country, at different levels.  The first step would be going into one of these facilities, seeing the nurse and then seeing a medical officer.  In terms of the symptoms that you have, the consultation will then involve looking at the symptoms and a lot of the menopause treatment is geared towards, essentially, alleviating symptoms.”

 

Menopause usually doesn’t happen overnight. The months or even years leading up to it are known as perimenopause or the menopausal transition. During this time, your ovaries’ hormone production can fluctuate. Perimenopause can last anywhere from two to eight years. Talking openly about menopause doesn’t just educate women; it also informs their families, friends, and colleagues about what to expect. This understanding can build empathy and support from everyone around them.

 

Dame Froyla Tzalam, Governor General

“My family will tell you, I have good days and I have bad days, to the point where my son now, in the morning he would say, “Mommy, you slept good last night? No hot flashes?”  He knows about hot flashes.  “Are you okay?”  And it’s amazing that even somebody asking you, “Are you okay?” Sets the tone for the rest of the day because it means you’re not alone.  To the point where I now have become a menopause bore, I will talk to people openly about it among my sisters, even among my family.  There are seven of us, seven females.”

 

By fostering a supportive environment through open conversations, women can feel more at ease seeking help and discussing their symptoms with healthcare providers.

 

Rosanna Briceño, Special Envoy for Women & Children

“Menopause brings with it a complex array of experiences, but perhaps the most complex of it is the silence that surrounds it.  We only see the signs.  This lack of open conversation often leads to isolation, misunderstanding and missed opportunities for support.  The few women that have expressed openly that they have no side effects and they have no clue what menopause is, God bless you sisters, totally.”

 

Talking about menopause helps women discover different resources, treatments, and strategies to manage their symptoms effectively. This can lead to better health outcomes and a higher quality of life.

 

Dame Froyla Tzalam

“I want to live until I am in my eighties, nineties, if I can, but I want to have a quality of life.  I don’t want to be wheelchair bound or anything of that sort, so my commitment, my personal commitment to myself is that I need to be informed about menopause, I need to eat well, I need to exercise.  Doing the right kinds of exercise, so it’s not just cardio anymore, it’s strength training, and, most importantly, talk to my family.”

 

Encouraging open conversations about menopause can help demystify the experience, offer much-needed support, and promote overall well-being for women navigating this phase of life. Isani Cayetano for News Five.