Menopause is a natural stage of life, yet for many women, it can feel like a reset button that they didn’t ask for. From physical changes and fluctuating energy levels to mental health challenges, navigating this transition can feel overwhelming, especially when conversations are limited.
At elénzia, menopause awareness is something close to our hearts. We wanted to create a space for meaningful conversation and provide menopause support through shared experiences rather than medical advice.
We approached four remarkable women, each from different careers and backgrounds but all facing the same challenges. We spoke to Dr Megha Dhavale, GP and public speaker, Jackie Lynch, menopause nutritionist and author, Louise Pitman, yoga teacher, and Katie Taylor, business owner and podcaster. Each brought unique experiences and insights to the discussion, highlighting both the physical and mental health challenges women face and the need for better understanding and support.
How Often Should We Talk About Menopause?
Although menopause is now part of more general conversation, many women still find themselves wondering how often they should talk about it and with whom. When we asked our guests, their replies were refreshingly honest. They speak about menopause “all the time”. Whether it comes up at home, at work or in conversations with close friends, each of them emphasised how important openness has been.
Because these conversations can still feel awkward or stigmatised, Dr Megha Dhavale encouraged women to “talk to anyone that is willing to listen”. For women, speaking openly is not only reassuring but also a way to prevent experiences from being dismissed, whether by healthcare professionals or by peers.
Sharing her own frustration, Katie Taylor shared that after feeling overlooked by her doctor, she was “angry that nobody put two and two together”. She also opened up to us about how isolating the experience can be when symptoms are missed or misunderstood. Normalising these discussions is essential, and Katie now encourages women to speak up to help ensure earlier recognition of symptoms so that they feel heard and supported.
What Advice Helps Women Going Through Menopause?
Advice for women experiencing menopause can often feel overwhelming, particularly when it comes from someone who has not been through it themselves. As Dr Megha Dhavale reminded us, “everyone will have their own unique experience”, yet shared understanding can be incredibly empowering and reassuring.
In our film, Jackie Lynch offered a wealth of nutrition guidance to help women support their bodies from the inside out. She explained how specific vitamins and minerals can make a genuine difference during this phase of life and encouraged women to see food as a valuable tool rather than an added pressure.
Louise Pitman offered a similar perspective, encouraging women to listen closely to their bodies. “You should listen to your body when she is telling you what she needs,” she shared. From her holistic perspective, movement plays an important role in emotional and physical wellbeing. She encouraged women to explore gentle forms of exercise such as swimming and yoga, both of which can help calm the nervous system. With mood swings, anxiety and sleep disturbances being so common, small adjustments to daily routines can have a surprisingly positive impact.
What stood out most from each conversation was that the most valuable advice is rarely complicated. It centres on listening, validating experiences and exchanging ideas that have helped others. Whether this means trying relaxation techniques, creating new self-care rituals or simply talking to someone who understands, support can make a profound difference.
Menopause may be a personal journey, but it becomes far more manageable when women share their stories and uplift one another.
What Lifestyle Changes Can You Expect?
Menopause can introduce a wide range of changes, touching everything from sleep and energy levels to weight, digestion and emotional wellbeing. Many people are familiar with symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats, but others are talked about far less often. Sudden mood swings, nausea, a drop in confidence or feeling unlike yourself can take women by surprise. Some symptoms are less common, yet they can be deeply affecting if they are not recognised and supported early.
In our conversation, Katie Taylor spoke openly about how dramatically her perimenopause affected her mental health. She described feeling “like a nuisance and a bit of a fraud”, emotions that grew more intense as her symptoms went unacknowledged. At one point, she became so overwhelmed that she wrote a letter to her children in case anything happened to her. Her experience was shaped by feeling dismissed by her doctor, an issue that far too many women still face.
Dr Dhavale highlighted this pattern as well, explaining that many of her patients have told her they felt “fobbed off” when seeking help. For some, the emotional and physical changes arrive unexpectedly, which can create a real shock to the system and lead to a significant loss of confidence.
Recognising these shifts, even the ones that are less talked about, can make an enormous difference. Awareness allows women to adjust routines, prioritise self-care and understand that what they are feeling is valid. For those in perimenopause, identifying symptoms such as irregular periods or disrupted sleep, and knowing the typical age range for these changes, can bring reassurance and a sense of control during this transition.
How Can Partners and Family Provide Support?
Support from partners, family and friends can make a profound difference during menopause, yet it is not always easy to understand what a loved one is experiencing.
Louise Pitman offered a particularly thoughtful perspective, encouraging families and friends to truly “listen… that person may not know why they feel like laughing one minute and screaming the next”. Her words remind us that compassion often begins with simply being present and accepting that emotions may shift without clear explanation.
Small gestures can also go a long way. Checking in regularly, attending appointments together or creating a space for honest conversation can be genuinely transformative. The most meaningful advice for partners tends to focus on patience, open communication and recognising both the emotional and physical challenges involved.
When support is rooted in understanding rather than assumptions, it becomes easier for women to feel seen, heard and cared for throughout their menopause journey.
How Do You Know When Menopause Starts?
Menopause does not have a set starting point. For some women, the early signs may appear in the late-30s, while for others, it happens later. The uncertainty can make the experience even more confusing.
Louise shared her own moment of realisation, explaining, “I knew that I was at the age of when it perhaps would be, but I wasn’t sure what it was”. Many women feel the same sense of uncertainty because symptoms rarely appear in a neat, predictable order.
Jackie highlighted this confusion too. “What little I knew about menopause was that periods were meant to get lighter and shorter and not heavier and further apart,” she told us. Her experience is a reminder that many women enter perimenopause with only a limited understanding of what to expect.
Some of the earliest signs can include irregular periods, changes in sleep, mood shifts and fluctuations in energy levels. While these symptoms can be unsettling, recognising them for what they are can be incredibly reassuring.
Understanding the early stages of menopause makes it easier for women to seek support, adjust routines and approach the transition with more confidence. It also encourages more open conversations with healthcare professionals, friends and family, helping to build a stronger network of support around them.
Why We Spoke Out
At elénzia, menopause awareness is something that is truly close to our hearts. We chose to speak out because awareness can always be deeper, broader and more inclusive. Menopause affects every woman differently, but one thing is universal: no woman should navigate it alone.
Menopause is a natural stage of life, and with awareness, conversation and connection, it can be approached with confidence, understanding and care. Yet many women still struggle in silence, whether it is managing symptoms, finding someone to talk to about their experiences or accessing the support they need.
In creating our recent film, every participant agreed on one thing: women’s health research needs to improve significantly. By sharing these stories, we hope to foster a culture where menopause can be discussed openly, without stigma, embarrassment or fear. Whether it is offering advice, recognising perimenopause symptoms or simply being present to listen, there are ways to support women through this important stage of life every day.
Watch Our Episodes:
Episode 1 – Starting the Conversation
Discover why talking about menopause matters and hear first-hand experiences of breaking the silence.
Episode 2 – Support and Advice for women and family
Learn how to communicate with your inner circle about what you are going through and how you can combat those feelings.
Episode 3 – Empowerment & Women’s Health in Society
Gain insights into women’s health research, understand the gaps that exist, and find out what steps can be taken to create meaningful change.
