Meaningful Menopause
5th Nov, 2025
October is a month of change, celebrations and campaigns. Seasonal change defined by the vibrant autumn landscape, cooler, shorter days and clocks falling back. We mark Halloween, Diwali and Black History Month. We rally behind campaigns such as “Stoptober”, “Sober October”, “Cholesterol Month” and raise awareness of menopause, mental health and breast cancer.
I celebrate all of this; especially the awareness campaigns as they inspire action, foster shared understanding and facilitate health and wellbeing. My passion for women’s health draws me to the menopause, which I feel embodies change, campaign and celebration.
Let us explore the change, the challenges, the power of awareness and celebrate lifestyle medicine in menopausal health.
Menopause: the change
“Menopause” comes from two Greek words; men (month) and pausis (pause), meaning the cessation of monthly cycles. Across centuries it was misunderstood, pathologised and stigmatised, tied to negative narratives of loss of fertility, youth and femininity. The term itself was introduced in 1821 by the French physician De Gardanne.
Modern medical enquiry coupled with scientific advances has changed our understanding. Today, we understand natural menopause as a physiological change due to loss of ovarian function and oestrogen deficiency. We define menopause as when a woman has had no periods for one year or more (1).
It usually occurs between 45 and 55years with variation across ethnic groups. It can occur early (40–44) or prematurely (<40), either spontaneously or following surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy (1). There has also been a societal shift with change in perceptions, attitudes and expectations surrounding the menopause. Crucially, menopause is no longer seen as a disease or merely an end point; it’s a transition that is unique to each woman.
Menopause: the challenges
Menopause symptoms can affect physical, emotional, cognitive and social wellbeing. Symptoms are common, often under-recognised and under-treated, leaving many women feeling isolated. Studies show that around 75% of women experience symptoms; a quarter report severe symptom and a third describe long-term symptoms that disrupt daily life (2).
Education on menopause, symptoms and different phases in particular the years preceding the final menstrual period known as menopause transition would enable early recognition and timely support.
Beyond immediate symptoms, increase in cardiometabolic, bone and cognitive health risks merit attention. Understanding these risks would ensure proactive management and prevention strategies that can significantly improve long-term outcomes.
There are cultural challenges too. In some communities, menopause remains stigmatised and silenced; in others, a greater acceptance of ageing and conservative norms may be a barrier for seeking help (3). Culturally informed care is essential.
Women in midlife make a huge contribution to the workforce and face workplace challenges. According to the Fawcett society report, 10% have left a job due to symptoms; 80% say employers offered no information, training or absence policy; 41% say menopause is treated as a joke at work (4). Workplaces need an open, inclusive and supportive culture, clear policies and managers trained to have sensitive conversations.
Campaigns: raising awareness
With average life expectancy around 81 years, many women will spend a third of their lives in postmenopausal years. Awareness and education normalise menopause and empower women to have meaningful conversations with clinicians, employers and families.
Many organisations, public figures and celebrities have raised awareness in recent times. The International Menopause Society (IMS) has led global awareness since 1978. It founded the World Menopause Day held annually on 18th October. This day acknowledges the advances in menopause health, highlights challenges and focuses on practical ways to improve wellbeing (5).
IMS sets the annual theme, publishes the White Paper and creates invaluable resources to support women, healthcare professionals and communities across the world. This year’s theme is Lifestyle Medicine (6).
Celebration: Lifestyle medicine in menopausal health
The IMS 2025 White Paper, a landmark global review of non -pharmacological interventions and role of lifestyle medicine in menopausal health reinforces that lifestyle medicine offers an evidence-based framework that optimises health during the menopause and provides equitable menopause care (6,7).
This comprehensive review on the available evidence on the six pillars of lifestyle medicine; healthy eating, physical activity, mental wellbeing, avoidance of risky substances, restorative sleep and healthy relationships illustrates these person centred behaviour interventions as an adaptable and cost-effective strategy that improves patient-reported outcomes and supports prevention across diverse populations (7).
As a Lifestyle medicine champion, I have pledged to raise awareness and share knowledge. At the Trust women’s health forum, my presentation focuses on this global review and shines the spotlight on the impact of lifestyle medicine on menopausal health. It showcases the six pillars as effective tools for managing menopause symptoms, reducing long-term health risks and improving health and wellbeing.
Take-home message
Menopause is a significant transition and not a decline. With awareness, support, evidence-based interventions and shared decision-making, women can be empowered to embrace the transition and the six pillars of lifestyle medicine to enhance quality of life.
For me, it’s never just one day or one month. My conversations with communities and colleagues continue to champion awareness, understanding and support.
“Let us support women to transform menopause from a challenge to an opportunity to live productively, with purpose and in optimal health and wellbeing”.
“Let us celebrate the role of lifestyle medicine in menopausal health and work collaboratively to make every woman’s journey a meaningful one”
References
1. British Menopause Society. What is the menopause? 2023. Available from: https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/17-BMS-TfC-What-is-the-menopause-AUGUST2023-A.pdf
2. Hamoda H, Panay N, Arya R, Savvas M. The British Menopause Society & Women’s Health Concern: recommendations on hormone replacement therapy in menopausal women. Post Reprod Health. 2016.
3. Shorey S, Esperanza D. The experiences and needs of Asian women experiencing menopausal symptoms: a meta-synthesis. Menopause. 2019;26(5):557-569.
4. Fawcett Society. Landmark study: menopausal women let down by employers and healthcare providers. Available from: https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/news/landmark-study-menopausal-women-let-down-by-employers-and-healthcare-providers
5. International Menopause Society. World Menopause Day 2025. Available from: https://www.imsociety.org/education/world-menopause-day-2025
6. International Menopause Society. Lifestyle medicine (World Menopause Day 2025 resources and White Paper). Available from: https://www.imsociety.org/education/world-menopause-day-2025/#lifestyle-medicine
7. Anekwe CV, Cano A, Mulligan J, Ang SB, Johnson CN, Panay N, et al. The role of lifestyle medicine in menopausal health: a review of non-pharmacologic interventions. Climacteric. 2025. doi:10.1080/13697137.2025.2548806