Why The Silence?

Unravelling the Mysteries.

After hurtling head-first into menopause, completely clueless, I struggled with many questions. But one thing I know is that I was quite upset – WHY THE SILENCE? I wanted to know why menopause, being a natural and inevitable phase of a woman's life had been shrouded in a cloud of mystery and misinformation for centuries? As a result of the taboos and silence, the myths, whispers, and old wives' tales surrounding menopause have persisted throughout history, impacting our attitudes as women and those around us towards it.

After speaking with my elders, especially those from my African background – I started to piece together some of the logic behind the culture of silence surrounding menopause. As I spoke to more people, it became clear that behind the myths and whispers lay a lack of knowledge and a fear of the unknown – This went a long way towards fueling the whispers, creating what we know as old wives' tales. Fear often drives the creation of myths.

Menopause represents a significant transition, signalling the end of a woman's reproductive years. Fear of ageing, loss of fertility, and the uncertainties of what lay ahead could have fuelled the creation of myths to cope with these fears. In the past they needed an explanation to what was happening to women's bodies and thus created the myths based on what they identified with based on their knowledge and beliefs.

We must remember that in the

olden days, the processes of menopause were not well understood. As women approached middle age and experienced body changes, societies lacked the scientific knowledge to explain these transformations. This knowledge gap led to myths and superstitions to fill in the knowledge gaps.

Historically, our societies were patriarchal, where men held dominant positions in decision-making and knowledge-sharing. Women's experiences, including menopause, were often overlooked or relegated to the status of folklore, leading to myths and whispers rather than factual information.The Myths and whispers surrounding menopause have long cast it in a negative light. Society has perceived women as less valuable or less capable when they reach menopause, and this stigma has led to a reluctance to discuss menopause openly, perpetuating the cycle of misinformation. Menopause myths can impact women's self-perception and mental well-being. When surrounded by negative stereotypes, women may feel anxious, depressed, or fearful about ageing and its effects on their bodies.

The transition into menopause has not been easy for women and is still not easy. The struggle is real, and it continues. Menopause myths impact women's self-perception and mental well-being. When surrounded by negative stereotypes, women may feel anxious, depressed, or fearful about ageing and its effects on their bodies. The misconceptions about menopause can also lead to family, friends, and even healthcare providers lacking support. This, in turn, exacerbates the challenges women face during this life transition.

Breaking the Cycle: Empowering Women with Knowledge

We must talk about menopause! The key to debunking menopause myths is education and awareness. By promoting accurate information about menopause through schools, media, community groups, churches and healthcare providers, we can empower women to embrace this life phase with confidence, understanding and grace so that they can go on to make informed choices about their health and thrive in the transition and beyond!

At Ketura Woman, we are working to encourage open conversations about menopause among women, their families, and their communities to help break the taboos and dispel misinformation. We provide an online support group and hold monthly online sessions on ZOOM in a bid to provide safe spaces for women to share their experiences and learn from each other. Menopause should be acknowledged as a normal and natural phase in a woman's life. By promoting a positive and accepting attitude towards ageing, we can shift societal perspectives and eliminate the stigma and jokes associated with menopause. I believe that by shedding light on the origins of these misconceptions and their impacts, we can take steps to challenge and dismantle them.

Let's continue having these menopause conversations until the narrative changes. Little by little, together, we will get there!

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