👀 1 Billion Invisibles
#113 | We need to talk
This week, I wrote about menopause for another newsletter we write.
It’s a subject that’s hit very close to home lately. Like with everything else my over-achieving self is wont to do, my body hit the speed button on the menopause treadmill far too early.
I’m one of the fortunate ones. I have medical professionals in my corner who listen and see me. My workplace is predominantly female. My partner works hard to understand what I am going through.
Despite that, during my research, I realised that regardless of my access, I had no clue about the magnitude of the menopausal experience and how vastly it differs from person to person. There are 48, yes, 48 known symptoms. “Informed me” knew about 4, maybe five. In all my conversations with my doctors or anyone really, none of the others even came up!
I’ve realised that menstruating people can only rely on each other to validate their experiences. But not all of us have the same access or support systems.
I read this quote the other day: “We may be in the same storm, but we’re not all in the same boat. A few of us are on superyachts, some in a canoe, some on lifeboats and the rest of us are drowning.”
Chances are, there is a menopausal person in your life right now who could do with a lifeline. Educate yourself on what they’re experiencing through this website. Show them they aren’t alone.
Muchest love,
P.S. October is Menopause Awareness Month. Send this onward to all your friends, so they also know how to support a loved one.