Ten things you can do
Everyone can do something to raise awareness of menopause/ruahinetanga at home, work or in their community. I’ve thought of Ten Things you can do for starters. One thing is guaranteed: your efforts will make a difference to many.
1. Say the word out loud
Saying the word menopause out loud should be as easy as saying the word puberty or pregnancy out loud. The more you say it (with respect) the more comfortable it will become and the more likely people will understand what it means. Every year on 18 October, wish someone a Happy ‘World Menopause Day’. I recommend that you practise saying it loudly and clearly before then because once I had someone mistake my good wishes for ‘World Metaphor Day’. I love a good metaphor but someone else can arrange a different day for that!
2. Learn with friends & family
Menopause isn’t only a women’s issue or something only grown ups should know about. It’s useful for people all genders and ages to understand menopause as a normal, inevitable and important stage of life. Invite your friends or partner and the tamariki (children) in your life to learn about menopause with you. Then, if/when you need support they’ll understand why. It’s easy to learn a few basic facts about peri/menopause. If you’re keen to learn more, these resources - books, articles, podcasts etc - are worth exmploring.
3. Chat with your workmates
Talking about anything meaningful (and maybe uncomfortable to start) is always easier over a cuppa. You could start by mentioning menopause to a trusted workmate. Have they heard about menopause? What do they know about it? Tempt a few people to talk about menopause in a shared workspace. What about baking Melting Moments or something else fun to get their attention? Share some basic facts about menopause and invite people to ask questions, share their stories and experiences. Chances are people will talk non-stop but you can always print off my conversation starters and stick them in a jar for people to choose from. See ‘Share Resources with Your Workplace’ below too.
4. Share resources with your workplace
Every business owner, leader, manager I’ve talked to wants to know how they can support women and people going through menopause. To make a start, check out and share some of the free and handy resources I’ve collected e.g. menopause toolkits, policies and guidelines. These can easily be adapted to suit your workplace and stored on your intranet for everyone to access.
5. Talk to your club
You might be a member of an arts or cultural club. You might play a team sport or belong to a book group. See if you can slide the word menopause into the conversation next time you meet. Different people of different ages are bound to have questions, stories and experiences to share. Note: If your book group is short of ideas for their next title, they’re welcome to check out my recommendations (all books about menopause of course).
6. Plan a picnic
Host a picnic in a park with friends or neighbours to learn about menopause. If someone you know walks past and asks if you’re celebrating your birthday, explain what you’re up to and invite them to pull up a corner of your rug. Everyone is welcome to join the revolution!
7. Pin up a poster
Like many of my Gen X friends and family, I didn’t grow up knowing about menopause. Until people of all genders and ages can see the word menopause and know what it means, it will remain taboo. Pin up one of the posters created by the Australasian Menopause Society (in English and te reo Māori) wherever you can - in your workplace or community.
8. Buy an awareness-raising tea towel
Help friends, family or workmates learn about menopause when they least expect it - over the dishes! I’ve had two awareness-raising tea towels designed to spark conversations in kitchens - at home or work. Buy one for yourself or gift one to a friend. Take your pick from ‘Menopause is Hot’ or ‘MeNoPause’ - while stocks last. One size fits all kitchens!
9. Host a potluck dinner at home
Host a potluck dinner at home to talk about menopause with friends and family. You can access the invitation to send your guests, my conversation starters, tips for you as the host and information for guests here.
10. Host a facilitated conversation at work
Propose that your workplace hosts a facilitated conversation with me about menopause for you and your workmates, in person or virtually. People & Culture, Health and Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion teams want to support everyone to be their best at work. As a guest speaker and advocate, I can share some important facts and figures about menopause, my personal experience, a range of potential ways to manage symptoms, some common misconceptions, useful tips and resources.
One day our tamariki (children) will grow up learning about menopause at home and school like they learn about puberty or pregnancy. One day there will be a nationwide awareness campaign to inform people across Aotearoa of menopause/ruahinetanga. One day every GP and health practitioner will be trained and resourced to address everyone’s needs through menopause. One day every workplace will know how to support its women and people of all ages and stages. Until then, let’s keep the conversation going.