Menopause can often feel like a solitary journey that women simply endure themselves. However, navigating menopause without any support can feel overwhelming, isolating, and even confusing. A strong support network can help women with their emotional well-being, resilience, and overall health during this life transition.
Why Community Matters in Menopause
Menopause is a profound shift that impacts physical health, mental health, emotional well-being, identity, and relationships.
The impact of support systems consisting of familial, workplace, medical, and technological, and government support on the attitudes and experiences of women navigating menopause has been acknowledged by Cowell et al, 2024. They highlight the complexity of the menopause experience, as it is influenced by different social health factors, cultural factors, lifestyles, support from family, marital status, and socio-economic status.
According to research from The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), social support plays a significant role in helping women cope with menopausal symptoms, reducing stress, and improving overall life satisfaction.
A community provides:
- Emotional validation: Knowing others share similar experiences reduces feelings of isolation.
- Practical advice: Women exchange stories about what are effective symptom reliefs and daily well-being.
- Encouragement: Support networks reinforce that menopause is not the end, it is a transition into a new phase of life.
The Power of Talking About It
Menopause continues to be a taboo topic with society viewing and treating it as something that should be hidden. However, increasingly women are breaking the silence and finding strength in shared experiences. Menopause-focused communities are growing, with online forums, podcasts, and wellness brands dedicated to changing the conversation.
By talking openly about menopause, we can normalize the experience and help dismantle the shame that often surrounds it. Whether it is through a casual chat with friends, a dedicated support group, or engaging in online discussions, sharing experiences fosters a sense of empowerment.
The Role of Men in Menopause Support
Males in their role as a partner, husband, father, brother, work colleague, and friend can play a crucial role in supporting women through menopause. It is important for men to be educated about the symptoms and impact of menopause for women as they can offer emotional, practical, and professional support. More importantly, a lot of peri-menopausal women report their partners and husbands think they are “losing their mind”, and “just need to pull themselves together.”
Women who have the support of their partners has also been linked to a positive impact of quality of life during menopause, in terms of enabling effective and efficient communication, sufficient and relevant knowledge, and emotional support (Cowell et al, 2024).
How men can be involved:
- Partners & Husbands: Learning and understanding menopause symptoms can help strengthen relationships, fostering patience and empathy rather than frustration.
- Young Boys & Adolescents: Early education in schools and as well as in homes about menstruation and menopause can reduce stigma and promote open discussions about women’s health.
- Family Members: Supportive fathers, brothers, and sons can help to create an accepting environment at home, making the transition easier for their daughters, sisters and mothers. Family support has been linked to a decrease in the severity of menopause symptoms (Cowell et al, 2024).
- Work Colleagues & Employers: Workplaces that promote menopause awareness can lead to better policies, ensuring fair treatment and support for women experiencing symptoms at work.
By educating men about menopause, we create a more inclusive and understanding society, where women feel supported in every aspect of their lives.
Ways to Build a Strong Support Network
Join Online Communities
Digital networks and menopause focused forums allow women to connect with others across the
globe, exchange information, provide safe spaces for discussion and offer mutual support.
Seek Out Local Support Groups
Community centres may offer in-person or virtual menopause support groups. Connecting with local women experiencing similar challenges can be deeply reassuring.
Engage in Open Conversations
Encourage menopause discussions among friends, family, and colleagues. The more we talk about it, the less taboo it becomes.
Find Professional Guidance
Medical and integrative practitioners, therapists, menopause coaches, and wellness experts (such as MenoBloom) can provide both scientific, evidence-based insights and emotional support
tailored to your unique experience.
Create Your Support Circle
If you do not see a community that fits your needs, consider starting one. Whether it is a book club, a wellness group, or casual meet-ups over coffee, fostering a space for open dialogue can be life-changing.
Menopause is a shared experience, not an individual burden. By seeking out and building strong support networks, women can navigate this transition with confidence, connection, and a renewed sense of self.
If you are struggling with menopause, remember there is a whole community of women and supportive men out there who can understand exactly what you are going through. You do not have to do this alone.
Sources
Cowell, A.C.; Gilmour, A.; Atkinson, D. Support Mechanisms for Women during Menopause: Perspectives from Social and Professional Structures. Women (2024), 4, 53–72. https://doi.org/10.3390/ women4010005.
Jean Hailles – https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/resources/menopause-information-partners
Menopause Alliance Australia – https://menopausealliance.au/community/
Menopause Info – https://www.menopauseinfo.org/
The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) – https://www.menopause.org/
The Menopause Society – https://menopause.org/
