Menopause: Not the End, but a New Chapter
October 18 | World Menopause Day
What if we started looking at menopause not as the end of something, but as the beginning of a new chapter in our lives?
For far too long, menopause has been portrayed as a time of loss: loss of fertility, youth, energy, and balance. A topic rarely discussed, often spoken about in whispers, almost as if it were something to hide or simply endure.
But things are changing. And thankfully so!
Scientific research, greater awareness, and increasingly open conversations about women's health are transforming the way we view this stage of life. I believe this is an incredibly important step forward.
What Has Changed in Science?
In 2002, the findings of the American Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study profoundly changed the approach to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Data suggesting potential cardiovascular and cancer-related risks raised significant concerns and led to a dramatic decline in prescriptions.
In the years that followed, further analyses helped provide a more nuanced understanding of those findings. We have learned that not all women have the same risk profile, that not all hormone therapies are the same, and that age, timing of initiation, formulation, and individual medical history all make a difference.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also revisited the issue. In February 2026, it approved labeling changes for several menopausal hormone therapy products, removing references to cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and dementia from the boxed warnings.
Scientific debate is still ongoing. European medical societies are also closely following these developments, and discussing individual options with a gynecologist remains an essential starting point.
This does not mean that HRT is suitable for everyone or that it is risk-free. It means that today, together with healthcare professionals, we can make more informed, personalized decisions. And that represents a fundamental shift.
Beyond Hormones
Menopause is a biological, physical, and emotional transition and, for many women, a shift in their sense of identity.
The first changes can begin during perimenopause, years before the final menstrual period. They may affect sleep, energy levels, metabolism, body image, sexuality, concentration, and emotional well-being.
Not all women experience the same symptoms, and for some, this period can be genuinely challenging. This is also true for women who experience early menopause or menopause following surgery.
Seeking relief when something doesn't feel right is not a sign of weakness. It is a right. This is why I believe in an integrated approach that considers the whole person.
Nutrition. Nourishing our bodies according to their changing needs, supporting metabolic, muscle, and bone health.
Movement. Taking care of our strength, muscle mass, bones, and mobility. Not to chase the body we once had, but to invest in our future independence and quality of life.
Emotional well-being. Acknowledging our feelings, managing stress, embracing change, and developing new resources for balance and self-awareness.
Support. Asking for help, consulting qualified professionals, and sharing experiences. We do not have to navigate this journey alone.
As a Health & Medical Coach, my role is to support women through this transition, helping them turn awareness into meaningful action and develop new habits that promote well-being. Coaching complements medical care; it does not replace it. My work is always carried out alongside healthcare professionals.
Changing Our Perspective
But there is something I consider even more important: changing the way we look at menopause.
Menopause is a natural transition that, for those who live long enough, is part of women's lives across the world.
We are not alone. And perhaps it is time to start talking about menopause not only in terms of symptoms and treatments, but also in terms of possibilities.
Today, many women still have a third of their lives ahead of them, sometimes even more.
One-third of our lives. Think about that.
Years to live, explore, love, learn, work, build new relationships, pursue passions, and perhaps even reinvent ourselves.
It is not about fighting the passage of time, but about moving through it with awareness, self-respect, and grace. Acceptance does not mean resignation, nor does it mean giving up on finding relief.
It means acknowledging change without allowing it to define who we are.
My hope is that World Menopause Day will encourage us not only to talk about how to navigate menopause, but also to reflect on how we want to live the years ahead.
Because the goal is not simply to live longer. It is to live better.
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