Talking About Menopause: Why Conversations Matter More Than Ever

A couple of days ago I was sitting outside with my sister-in-law and my mother-in-law, enjoying lunch at a little restaurant. The sun was out, the food was lovely, and in between chatting about family and everyday life, the topic turned - as it often does these days, for me at least - to menopause.

What struck me was how natural it felt. My sister-in-law and I found ourselves saying how much better things are now compared to a generation ago, and how grateful we are for that. Years back, menopause was something you didn’t really mention out loud. Hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings - all of it was tucked away, often with a sense of embarrassment. You just got on with it quietly, even if you were struggling.

This time, though, we were laughing and swapping stories, not whispering or trying to brush it off. My mother-in-law nodded along, saying she wished the same openness had been around when she was going through it. And what really amazed me was hearing how even my sister-in-law’s teenage sons are clued up about menopause now - it’s just part of normal life to them, not something to be hidden or joked about.

Why Conversations Matter

That lunch reminded me that talking about menopause isn’t just about sharing symptoms, it’s about lifting the weight of silence that so many women carried before us.

When we talk openly, we remind ourselves and each other that these changes are normal, that they’re not something to be ashamed of, and that it’s perfectly okay to ask for help or support.

Conversations with family and friends can make all the difference. Instead of sitting alone wondering if what you’re feeling is “just you,” you realise how many women are going through the same things. That awareness alone is powerful - it turns confusion into clarity, and isolation into connection.

Making Menopause a Normal Part of Life

The more we talk about menopause, the more it becomes just another stage of life that’s acknowledged, understood, and supported. It’s no different from talking about puberty, pregnancy, or any other transition - it has its challenges, but it’s part of the human story. By bringing it into everyday conversations, we help remove the stigma and create space for solutions rather than silence.

Finding the Support You Need

Of course, talking is just one piece of the puzzle. Sometimes symptoms like hot flushes, poor sleep, or brain fog need more practical support. That might mean changes to daily habits, or it might mean adding in the right nutrients to help your body through this stage more smoothly (if you’d like to explore some simple, natural options that can support you during menopause, I’ve put together a page with the essentials I personally recommend. You can find it here.)

But that lunch reminded me how much has shifted in just one generation. We don’t need to hide our experiences or feel embarrassed by them anymore. By talking openly with friends, family, and even the younger people in our lives, we make menopause less of a mystery and more of a shared, supported experience. And that’s exactly how it should be.