5 things everyone should know about menopause 2024

Despite the fact that almost half of the world's population goes through menopause, there are still misconceptions about this key stage in people's reproductive lives. This is often due to social and educational barriers to accessing relevant information. What are some of the key things everyone should know about menopause? In the conversation, our expert guest helps us answer this question.

Menopause affects everyone with a uterus. However, while awareness of the symptoms of menopause and the stage before it, called “perimenopause,” is growing, there are still misconceptions and misunderstandings about this key stage of life.

A 2021 survey of more than 800 postmenopausal participants in the United Kingdom found that more than 90% of them had never learned anything about menopause in school.

When asked how they experienced menopause, many responded that it was “a nightmare” — and a lack of preparation for the symptoms and how to manage them may contribute to this assessment.

Perimenopause can be surprising and confusing, as its symptoms can resemble or exacerbate many other health conditions.

And the symptoms of menopause — like hot flashes and chronic insomnia — can impact a person’s quality of life in unpredictable and sometimes severe ways. So what’s there to know about this stage of life, and how can a person find the best support and tools for their unique individual needs?

In this episode of In Conversation, we’ll answer these and other questions with Prof. Kate Clancy, PhD, a professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois, a human reproductive ecologist who specializes in uterine health and the health of menstruating people.

Clancy, who has a special interest in feminist science and the study of feminist science and is the author of Period: The Real Story of Menstruation, helped determine five key things everyone should understand about menopause.

Listen to our conversation in full below or on your favorite streaming platform.