ANDREA YIP

 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

 

Women rely on other women for support and validation

Women experiencing menopause find the greatest empathy, trust, and validation from other women. This may include friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances, healthcare providers, or sometimes even strangers. On the contrary, men, including romantic partners, were often seen as lacking empathy or engagement in the menopause experience.

 

Diagnosis offers confirmation but no clear answers

Diagnosis serves as a helpful tool for women who are seeking confirmation of their perimenopausal (and sometimes menopausal) status. Many women self-diagnose after informally consulting female friends or family members. Few seek a formal diagnosis from a healthcare provider. Though affirming, diagnosis itself doesn’t necessarily provide clarity around their primary concern: managing unwieldy symptoms.

 

Healthcare providers play a limited role

As they navigate the healthcare system for support, women find that their concerns are often dismissed or minimized, forcing them to self-advocate and become more assertive in their help-seeking behaviors. Women note that healthcare providers are most helpful when they are seeking out a prescription or specific medical treatment such as hormone replacement therapy. Most prefer female providers, describing them as empathic and more likely to be knowledgeable of women’s health issues.

 

Natural remedies dominate menopause management

The duration and severity of symptoms is unpredictable. Without clear, holistic, and reliable strategies for managing menopause, women often experiment with a combination of pharmaceuticals, lifestyle changes, and natural remedies. Symptoms are individually tackled as they come and go. Given the perception of menopause as a natural biological process, women tend to prefer natural and non-invasive approaches where possible. Many end up trying unproven home remedies that they have learned about through word-of-mouth, turning to pharmaceuticals when they feel they have exhausted their options.

 

Sexual and reproductive roles and expectations are re-examined

Menopause relieves women of the burden of fertility. No longer bound to their heteronormative and reproductive roles, women describe a newfound freedom in renegotiating their relationships with their children, family, friends, and romantic partners. Most fostered stronger bonds with other women. Some divorced their male partners. And others felt more fluid in their sexuality and open to new forms of intimacy. For instance, some women described fostering deep non-sexual companionships with other women in which they would spend much of their time together, sharing living space, resources, and caring for one another. A couple of women expressed interest in exploring new sexual relationships with both women and men.

 

Self-blame, guilt, and grief shift to empowerment

Menopause is a journey of emotional highs and lows. In the early stages of menopause, women tend to blame and shame themselves for “losing control” over their bodies. They feel responsible for their menopause as if it is their fault or failing. As they progress through their journey, women come to terms with ageing and menopause, and grieve the loss of their younger selves. To quote an interviewee: “no one cares about you when you’re an old woman”. However, women persevere. With time they feel more empowered to self-advocate for their needs, particularly within the healthcare system. Moreover, they embrace this new phase in their lives, feeling free to do as they please without the social pressures or judgements they once faced.

 

Menopause is a catalyst for self-betterment

For the middle-aged woman, menopause serves as a disruptive reminder that her time is limited. Many see this as a unique opportunity to re-evaluate their outlook and purpose in life. Some expressed gratitude for menopause, viewing it as a biological catalyst for change or “wakeup call" that their male counterparts don’t necessarily have. With the benefit of ego, maturity, hindsight, and foresight, they seek to create positive and meaningful impact in their older age.

 

Challenging stigma and fostering dialogue across generations is key

Women agree that there is a need to openly talk about menopause. Though it is inevitable, most women do not discuss or learn about menopause in their younger years and feel unprepared and overwhelmed once it arrives. Relatable and positive role models are lacking. Women stressed the importance of sharing stories of menopause in order to enable younger women to better cope with and embrace this experience.

 

​

FINAL NOTE

Like other areas of women’s health, menopause is a taboo topic, revolving around a woman’s sexual and reproductive capabilities. It is poorly understood and woefully under-researched. The latter is particularly true as we don't have a good understanding of the menopause experience within underrepresented and marginalized communities such as women of color or those who are gender fluid. It’s important to showcase the diversity of experience and bring visibility to menopause. This way we can better support and enable people during this time in their lives from a physical, psychological, and social perspective. I hope this work prompts discussion and further exploration. Please reach out if you have feedback.

 

To participants: Learning about your personal journey with menopause was a deep privilege and has given me perspective and optimism into this unique stage of life. Thank you for your time and generosity.

​

​

​

Tags: Information Design, Healthcare Experience, Menopause, Women's Health, Journey Map

​