Understanding Menopause
A natural part of life. A transition worth understanding.
Menopause is a natural stage of life. It is not an illness, nor does it signal the end of someone's contribution, ambition or potential.
Yet, despite being something that women across the world experience, menopause remains a subject that many people know surprisingly little about.
For some, the transition passes with relatively little disruption. For others, it brings changes that affect everyday life, relationships, confidence and work.
There is no single menopause experience.
At MenoMove, we believe that understanding menopause is an important starting point. Not because everyone needs to become an expert, but because knowledge makes it easier to recognise changes, ask questions and have conversations.
Menopause is natural. Struggling isn't compulsory.
Menopause is a transition, not a destination
We often talk about menopause as though it is one event.
In reality, the word is commonly used to describe a much broader period of change.
You may hear three terms used when people discuss this transition.
Perimenopause
The transition towards menopause
This is the period leading up to menopause. For some women, it is the first time they begin thinking seriously about menopause and what it might mean for them.
Menopause
A milestone in the transition
Menopause marks the end of menstruation and the reproductive years. It is a natural life milestone, rather than an indication that someone has become less capable, less relevant or less able to contribute.
Postmenopause
Life after menopause
Postmenopause refers to the years following menopause. For many women, these years represent a substantial part of their lives, filled with opportunities for work, relationships, learning, leadership and personal growth.
Meno says:
“Menopause isn't the end of your story. It's one part of it.”
No two menopause experiences are the same
One of the most important things to understand about menopause is that experiences vary.
Some women move through the transition with relatively few noticeable changes.
Others find that aspects of their physical comfort, emotional wellbeing, relationships or everyday routines are affected.
There is no correct way to experience menopause.
And there is no reason to compare your experience with someone else's.
What matters is recognising your own experience and knowing that questions, conversations and support are available.
Why don't we talk about menopause more openly?
For generations, menopause has often been treated as something private, uncomfortable or simply not worth discussing.
In some families, it has rarely been mentioned.
In some workplaces, it remains almost invisible.
And in many communities, misconceptions about menopause can influence how people understand and respond to it.
Silence can make an unfamiliar experience even more confusing.
It can also leave partners, family members, colleagues and managers uncertain about how to offer support.
MenoMove wants to help change that.
We believe menopause should be a subject people can discuss with the same openness and respect afforded to other important life transitions.
Not everyone will want to share their personal experience, and that choice should always be respected.
But everyone should have access to information and the opportunity to ask questions without embarrassment.
Menopause affects more than the individual
Although menopause is experienced personally, understanding and support can extend well beyond the individual.
For partners and families
Understanding menopause can help families recognise that someone may be navigating a period of change. It can encourage conversations based on curiosity, patience and mutual respect rather than assumptions.
For friends and colleagues
Sometimes support begins with something as simple as listening without judgement. Not every conversation requires advice or a solution.
For workplaces
Menopause belongs in conversations about wellbeing, inclusion, leadership and performance. A workplace does not need to know the personal medical circumstances of every employee to create an environment where people feel respected and supported.
For communities
Greater awareness can help challenge misconceptions and create more opportunities for people to learn from one another. Understanding menopause should not be the responsibility of women alone.
Menopause is natural. Struggling isn't compulsory.
There is sometimes an expectation that because menopause is natural, people should simply get on with it.
But acknowledging menopause as a natural life transition does not mean dismissing someone's experience.
Some people need very little support.
Others may benefit from information, adjustments to everyday routines, conversations with those around them or professional healthcare.
Seeking support is not a sign of weakness.
Equally, someone who experiences few difficulties does not need to assume that something is wrong.
At MenoMove, we believe every experience deserves to be recognised without judgement.
Life beyond menopause
Perhaps one of the most important things we can change is how we talk about life after menopause.
Too often, menopause is associated with endings.
The end of reproductive years. The end of youth. The end of a particular stage of life.
But what about everything that continues?
For many women, there are decades of life ahead.
Menopause does not determine what someone can achieve, the contribution they can make or the life they choose to lead.
There is life before menopause, life during the transition and a great deal of life beyond it.
Browse by topic
Menopause basics
What menopause is, when it happens, and the difference between perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause.
Read articlesSymptoms and wellbeing
The wide range of symptoms — from hot flushes and sleep disruption to brain fog and mood changes — and approaches to managing them.
Read articlesHealthcare conversations
How to talk to healthcare providers, what to ask, and what options may be available — including HRT and non-hormonal approaches.
Read articlesRelationships
How menopause can affect relationships with partners, family and friends — and how to communicate and find support.
Read articlesMenopause at work
The impact of menopause in the workplace, how to talk to managers and colleagues, and what reasonable support looks like.
Read articlesUnderstanding is just the beginning
MenoMove has been created to make information, resources and conversations about menopause more accessible.
Wherever you are in this journey, there is something here for you.
Explore MenoMove
Meno Explains
Short, clear explanations of menopause topics — written to be accessible and easy to share.
ExploreArticles
In-depth reading on menopause, wellbeing, workplace inclusion and more.
ExploreMeno Chat
A space to ask questions and have conversations about menopause.
ExploreResources
Practical guides, toolkits and downloads for individuals and organisations.
ExploreEvents and Programmes
Workshops, webinars and programmes to support menopause awareness and workplace inclusion.
ExploreKnowledge to understand. Support to move forward.