Menopause is something that women all over the world will go through, so why does it remain such a taboo topic?
The damaging truth about keeping hush on menopause is that women don’t have access to the right support and treatment whilst going through such a difficult time in their lives, leading to more and more frustration and sadness.
This Menopause Awareness Month, we’re taking the time to understand menopause, the lack of care available, and how we can show ourselves patience and grace during the process.
Plus, we’ll be touching on a ground-breaking documentary that’s shedding light on the effects of menopause and how the lack of research into the process affects women.
Read on to find out more…
What Is Menopause Awareness Month?
Designated by the International Menopause Society (IMS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), Menopause Awareness Month is a month dedicated to raising awareness of menopause and the support available for women going through it.
Not only is menopause something that every woman will go through, but early menopause or menopausal symptoms can also be common when having hormonal therapy to treat specific cancer types such as womb or breast cancer.
Although it usually occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, early menopause can occur at any age before 40, which can completely change the course of someone’s life.
So, whilst menopause has been seen as a taboo condition that shouldn’t be spoken about, it’s actually a very common process of reordering chemicals in the body. It’s a shared process that so many people go through, so why is it so under-researched and under-treated?
That’s where The M Factor comes in…
The M Factor: Shredding The Silence On Menopause
Due to menopause being seen as such a taboo for a long time now, it is something that has been hidden in the shadows, only to be brought out in a personal horror story or to be the butt of an often misogynistic joke.
It is also a process that hasn’t been researched nearly enough, leading to a lot of women lacking access to the right care and information at such a life-altering time.
It’s time to change the way we think about menopause and make the society we live in a place where women can feel confident and supported as they go through this process.
The M Factor: Shredding The Silence On Menopause is a documentary that does exactly that, focusing on the lived experiences of women across the U.S. who bravely let cameras into their homes, workplaces, and doctors' offices to showcase the realities and challenges that come with menopause.
It also looks at the racial biases, gender-ignorant care, and barriers that exist due to a lack of basic healthcare research on the topic. The women in this documentary open up about their debilitating symptoms, being ignored by those around them, and being left feeling ridiculed, shamed, and uncared for.
Not only is this documentary a much-needed conversation piece into an extremely common topic, but it is a step towards showcasing the reality of menopause in order to share the knowledge, compassion, and resources needed to give women the help they deserve.
You can watch The M Factor: Shredding The Silence On Menopause here.
How Does Menopause Affect Us?
You may be familiar with some symptoms of menopause including mood swings and forgetfulness, but it actually affects us physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially.
Physically, menopause can cause hot flushes, night sweats, joint aches, weight gain, changes in body shape, and changes in bone or heart health.
Emotionally, it can cause low mood and irritability, but also anxiety, depression, and loss of self-confidence.
Mentally, women can go through brain fog, memory issues, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty concentrating.
Socially, all of the above can have an impact on relationships, whether they’re familial, romantic, or work relationships.
Not only are these symptoms life-altering, but they can be extremely upsetting and confusing for the person dealing with them, which is why it’s so crucial for us to understand and be patient with those going through menopause.
Self-Care Through Menopause
Of course, if you have access, we always suggest seeking the advice of a healthcare professional when dealing with symptoms of menopause, but we also know that it is a key time to show ourselves love and grace, and what better way to do that than with some self-care?
Below are a few of our Give Me Cosmetics products that we think are perfect for gifting to someone going through menopause to support them, or to treat yourself to during a difficult period.
Another physical change women can go through during menopause is changes to skin conditions, including dryness, oily skin, or adult acne.
For those dealing with dry skin from hot flushes, our Day & Night Cream Bundle is expertly curated with two powerhouse products designed to add and retain moisture in the skin.
Our Anti-Ageing Day Cream is a lightweight, gentle formula that gives your skin the hydration it needs, while the Rejuvenating Overnight Cream locks in moisture overnight.
Our Age-Defying Bundle also features products designed to help you feel confident as you age gracefully.
Anti-ageing skincare shouldn’t reverse signs of ageing, it should help you embrace the beauty of ageing, letting you feel amazing and happy in yourself every single day.
Other symptoms of menopause can include dry hair, hair thinning, and hair loss - things which can have a huge impact on self-confidence.
Our Coconut Oil & Argan Oil haircare range is designed especially for thin hair, with a lightweight serum that moisturises and hydrates the hair without weighing it down.
Our Hair Growth Bundle is also a great option, with products aimed at promoting blood circulation to the scalp and helping with healthy hair growth.
On the other side of hair issues that can crop up during menopause exists oily hair. With so many hormonal changes going on in the body, oily hair can be a normal symptom of dealing with menopause, but that doesn’t mean it's not difficult to deal with.
Looking at things from a different perspective can help, and this could be a chance to reinvigorate your haircare routine and try some new products.
Our Oily Roots & Dry Ends Bundle has products and tools designed to tackle oily roots and dry ends (it does what it says on the tin!)
From tools to products, it’s the perfect go-to bundle to help you maintain beautiful, glossy hair.
Dry, flaky skin can exist on the face and body thanks to menopause symptoms, so how about something to tackle the body?
Coming in three delicious scents, our Body Scrubs are more than just some more body care products, they’re a chance to have a luxurious self-care session.
Infused with naturally derived salts and oils, these scrubs effectively remove dry, flaky skin and dead skin cells, making room for fresh, cleansed skin. They also leave the skin feeling moisturised and supple rather than tight and dry.
For anyone currently going through menopause, we want to help you remember that this period of your life does not define you or who you are - you are real and real is beautiful.
There is still so much progress to be made in living in a more understanding, patient society, but we’re positive that we can get there one day, and The M Factor is a brilliant step towards achieving that.
Show yourself patience and grace and lean on those around you for support.
And more importantly, always remember that you’ve got your own inner glow inside you, and nothing can dim it.
For menopause support, you can visit The Menopause Charity or the NHS, or contact your healthcare provider.