Knowledge is Power in Perimenopause/Menopause
The Crucial Need for Meaningful Menopause Information
My own journey through perimenopause towards menopause has been a myriad of physical, emotional, and psychological changes. It has taken me two years to get to a place where I feel like “myself” again. I want to help other women do the same, hopefully in less time!
Despite its significance, menopause remains a topic shrouded in mystery and often surrounded by misconceptions. This lack of understanding can leave many women feeling isolated and unprepared for the changes they face.
I consider myself a well read and informed person. However, I was not prepared for the symptoms that slowly crept in or the possible outcomes after menopause for women with no assistance or treatment. Google “genitourinary symptoms in menopause” if you want a glimpse, this was my wake-up call. An entire generation of women, my own mother included, were limited in their access to effective treatments due to both some misinformation and just lack of information entirely. The full impact on her health and the health of others will never be exactly known, but it had one.
My own journey and the almost universally shared frustration or complete lack of information I found from the women in my life led me to start this blog, a website and a menopause coaching and information business.
Despite its significance on 50% of the human population, menopause remains a topic shrouded in mystery and often surrounded by misconceptions. Women spent up to 40%1 of their life in the menopausal state. So, while menopause is inevitable, suffering is NOT. The lack of understanding of the full body impact of menopause and the limited number of women’s health care professionals to access can leave many women feeling isolated, unheard, and unprepared for the changes they face. Rural women face an even tougher challenge accessing information and care. All Women need solid scientifically backed information on perimenopause and menopause to make informed decisions about and be able to advocate for their needs.
I recently presented a workshop on menopause at the Advancing Women Conference in Calgary, AB March 16-18, 2025. The feedback I received both in person and in writing following that.
presentation highlighted to me how much this information is needed. Participants described it as "life changing" and "extremely insightful," noting the relevance of the content and its applicability to their lives. Many appreciated the opportunity to learn more about how their bodies work and felt validated in their symptoms and feelings. They expressed gratitude for the knowledge that empowers them to take control of their health and well-being as well as not feeling ALONE. There is a need to connect with other women experiencing similar life stages. This sense of community and shared experience is invaluable, as it helps to break the isolation that many feel during this time.
To be clear, I presented no MAJIC, I do not have a wand in my possession. I simply presented my journey, the research I had done and the things that are helping me through this time in my life. Menopause is certainly having its moment and information is exploding thanks to many women and women’s advocates who have brought the conversation into the light. Women need accurate and useable information. This empowers women to advocate for themselves in a health care system that frequently overlooks or understates their needs.
This brings me to Touch of Humanity and this first edition of the TOH Big5 Blog. Each week, I will cover a topic on menopause, starting with a series on the information from my presentation, for those of you who did not catch it live!
I will cover the anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive cycle and what happens to those hormones during perimenopause. I will also spend some time on each of my big “buckets” of menopause care:
1. Sleep and Stress
2. Nutrition
3. Mental strategies
4. Movement
5. Treatment options
The last piece is how to have meaningful and fruitful conversations with your physician. I will help you prepare for a visit to ensure your healthcare provider has the information they need to help you!
There will be much more to share, bringing you the latest information in a digested and understandable way so that you can use it to feel your best. I want to continue to share my journey and that of others to help as many women as possible navigate their perimenopause and menopause years feeling AMAZING.
I look forward to connecting with all of you to hear your questions and your story!
Gail
1. Arias E, et al. United States Life Tables, 2015. Nat Vital Stat Rep 2018;67:1-64
