Posted: Sunday, June 7th, 2020

Over the past few months, I have been interviewing women in Ireland on their experiences and understandings of menopause for a masters degree. What is emerging is that the  damaging and derogatory rhetoric that has surrounded menopause for decades needs to be challenged. Women’s agency in relation to menopause continues to be undermined.

Remaining silent contributes to this, in fact silence is the real enemy here. Opening conversations changes everything, enabling women to understand and pro actively manage their own journey.

Throughout this past year, there are three narratives I hear repeatedly from women. There is FEAR, there is SHAME and there is DENIAL, its pervasive in our society when the word MENOPAUSE is mentioned.

Why one has to ask has this happened? One could argue that there is a massive injustice here!

Lack of information, lack of understanding, hiding the fact that we women are menopausal. The whispers, the pity, the way menopause has been framed for decades is so very wrong.

Menopause has been framed for decades to disempower women…………… It’s time to change this.

Until next time

Stay safe

Breeda x

Midlife Women Rock Project

What women are saying

  • Now that I have the knowledge, language and confidence to speak openly about menopause, it changes everything

    Angie Co. Cork

  • I would recommend the Midlife Women Rock Cafe because it's a reliable, well-researched source for information on Menopause matters, but more importantly, understands it from the Women's perspective as it's women talking to women.

    MaryCareer in Transition, Co Meath

  • Breeda is a research-based intellectual talent on menopause and an engaging speaker. Starting conversations around a taboo subject is not easy, it takes a lot of courage.

    Brenda - Business Owner, Co. Waterford

  • If you want to get to understand and learn everything you need to know about menopause, Sign up for the empowering women menopause course. This 6-week course was life-changing for me.

    Niamh - Limerick

  • I highly recommend this 6-week course to any woman wanting to understand menopause and themselves. I personally found it brilliant. It gave me back my confidence in myself. I met a group of open-minded women. There is nowhere women can go to talk with other women about this time in our lives. I have learned not to let menopause define me. I always had thought of it negatively, would never have seen it as a time to open up to new possibilities and opportunities. Breeda covers everything you need to know over the 6 weeks.”

    Anna

  • This programme has helped me become more relaxed and empowered around menopause. I have a great GP and am taking HRT. It’s the information sharing with a group of like-minded women that is very powerful at this time of my life. The course was shared by Breeda in a fun and light-hearted way which reduces any stress or anxiety that one may have. I now have a better understanding of myself with lots of strategies to manage symptoms and would highly recommend this course.”

    Jennifer

  • I would highly recommend this 6-week course. I received so much support from Breeda and the group. It gave me the confidence to move forward. I learned about the physical, mental and spiritual changes that occur during menopause and it all made so much sense. My relationship with myself has grown and I understand so much more now. I feel positive and very optimistic about the future.

    Sinead

  • Attending this 6 week course was a hugely empowering experience. knowledge and education is certainly power. Meeting other women all in the same phase of life supporting one another was fantastic. I learned I have the power and strength to tackle, control and handle my menopause journey my way. I would hghly recommend this course so much. It has enabked me to move forward.

    Gay

  • Before I met Breeda and started this course, I never had a serious conversation about menopause with anyone. I had very little knowledge about menopause. It is either an embarrassing or a comical subject for conversation. Attending the cafes and 6-week course has been life changing. I now know so much more about menopause and understand myself so much better. I have become more pro-active with my health and am looking forward to the next phase of my life. Every woman deserves this information.

    Elaine

  • Breeda has a great way of imparting information. I really enjoyed the 6-week programme and would highly recommend it to any woman who may be curious about what menopause is really all about.

    Ger

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