At 49, I’m firmly planted in peri-menopause territory. I’ve got the patch, I’ve got the coil – I’m fully equipped. And yes, I’m all for women’s health and lifting the lid on things we’ve been conditioned to keep quiet about for too long. But if I’m honest? I’m a bit menopause-d out. I’m menobored.
I know the algorithm sees my age and serves me up every hot-flush, brain-fog, hormone-havoc story imaginable on social media. It’s everywhere. I know I can scroll past or tune in and I try not to take it too seriously. What I can’t switch off quite so easily is the tone of the conversation: the eye-rolling, self-deprecating, “oops, I’ve lost the plot again!” comedy skits and constant “she’s having a moment, love” or “that’ll be the menopause” comments. It’s tired. It’s lazy. And frankly, we deserve better.
There’s been brilliant progress in awareness and support for women in this phase of life – and long may that continue. But why is it still wrapped in negativity? Why is the menopause framed as a loss, a breakdown, a crisis, rather than a transition into something freer, wiser, and honestly – far more powerful? I can remember a guy I know saying “just wait until you hit the menopause, I’ve seen it first hand and it’s awful!”
Yes, I’ve had my share of fun: the mood swings, the heavy periods, the endless PMT. The aches and pains that show up uninvited to remind me I’m not thirty years old anymore. But I’ve also learned that I don’t need to document every symptom to honour this phase of life. And maybe we can support each other without making it performative.
Celebrities have helped open the conversation, and that’s valuable. But maybe the next evolution in this narrative is reclaiming menopause not just as something we endure – but as something we embrace. A phase that strips away the nonsense and leaves us with clarity, confidence, and that golden superpower: truly not giving a toss.
How do you feel about this? Menobored with the “I’m losing my marbles” narrative, or do you think it is a good thing? Would love to hear your thoughts.
Lucy aka Geriatric Mum
