Almost 2-million women in the US will enter menopause every year, with most women experiencing it between the ages of 45 and 55. Despite the significant number of individuals affected, menopause remains under-researched, underfunded, and inadequately addressed within healthcare systems and workplaces alike. As a woman with a PhD and the founder of a company that supports women through tracking menopause and fertility, I’ve seen first-hand how this silence undermines women's health and wellbeing.
The question we must ask ourselves is: Why isn’t menopause taken seriously, and why aren’t women being heard when they discuss their symptoms and challenges? The answer, I believe, is multifaceted, rooted in historical biases, gaps in medical education, and a persistent cultural stigma that surrounds women’s health issues.
Historically, women’s health has not been a priority within medical research and practice. Until the 1990s, women were routinely excluded from clinical trials, leading to significant knowledge gaps in how medical conditions, including menopause, uniquely affect them. Women are still underrepresented in clinical research, especially concerning conditions such as heart disease, which presents differently in women compared to men. This historical oversight has contributed to the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of menopause.
Menopause is often viewed as a “natural” process that women must simply endure. This is not only an outdated attitude but also a dangerous one, as it dismisses the very real and often debilitating symptoms that accompany menopause. Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and cognitive changes can severely impact a woman’s quality of life, yet many women report feeling dismissed when they seek medical advice. Many women believe their healthcare provider does not offer enough information about menopause and its management.
One of the primary reasons menopause is not taken seriously is a lack of comprehensive education within the medical field. Medical training often dedicates only a small portion of time to menopause, leaving many healthcare providers ill-equipped to offer effective guidance. Only 20% of obstetrics and gynaecology residency programmes in the US offered formal training on menopause management. This glaring gap results in a healthcare system that is not adequately prepared to support women during this critical transition.
For example, many women experiencing menopause report being prescribed antidepressants for mood-related symptoms without any exploration of underlying hormonal causes. While antidepressants can be helpful for some, they are not always the appropriate first line of treatment for menopause-related mood swings. Hormonal therapies, lifestyle changes, and non-hormonal treatments may be more effective, yet are often overlooked due to insufficient training and awareness among healthcare providers.
The lack of attention to menopause extends beyond the healthcare setting and into the workplace, where menopause is still treated as a taboo subject. In a society that increasingly emphasises diversity and inclusion, it is remarkable that menopause remains a silent issue in professional environments. According to a report nearly 900,000 women in the UK have left their jobs due to menopausal symptoms, often because they lacked support from their employers. These symptoms — ranging from hot flashes to fatigue and cognitive difficulties — can have a profound impact on job performance and wellbeing, yet there is little to no formal acknowledgment of menopause in workplace policies.
Unlike pregnancy, which has clear legal protections under anti-discrimination laws, menopause often falls through the cracks. Women are left to navigate this phase of life largely on their own, without adequate support from their employers. Flexible working hours, access to healthcare resources, and a culture of understanding could make a significant difference, yet these accommodations are rarely offered. It is important to emphasise that menopause is not just a “women’s issue,” but a workforce issue. Employers who fail to address it risk losing experienced, talented employees at the peak of their careers.
Menopause is largely absent from mainstream media discussions, and when it is mentioned, it is often treated as a punchline or associated with the loss of youth
— Amy Beckley, CEO of Proov
Culturally, menopause is often shrouded in silence, which further compounds the problem. Unlike other life stages such as pregnancy or childbirth, which are openly discussed and celebrated, menopause is rarely spoken about. This cultural silence reinforces the idea that menopause is something to be endured quietly, rather than a natural stage of life that deserves attention and care.
The media plays a role in perpetuating this silence. Menopause is largely absent from mainstream media discussions, and when it is mentioned, it is often treated as a punchline or associated with the loss of youth. This lack of representation in the media further marginalises women’s experiences, making it difficult for them to advocate for themselves or feel validated in their symptoms.
The solution to this pervasive issue begins with listening to women. When women speak about their menopause experiences — whether in a healthcare setting, at work, or in their personal lives — they must be taken seriously. Their symptoms are real, their challenges are legitimate, and their needs deserve to be addressed with the same level of attention and care as any other health condition.
At Proov, we are dedicated to helping women take control of their menopause journey through data and personalised care. By tracking symptoms and hormonal changes, women can better understand their bodies and advocate for the care they need. However, technology alone is not enough. What is needed is a cultural shift — one that starts with recognising that menopause is a significant health issue that deserves attention, research, and proper support.
Women deserve better. It’s time we start listening.
• Amy Beckley is the CEO of Proov
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