Empowering Women to Navigate Menopause with Confidence, with Tamsen Fadal

Emmy Award-winning journalist and women’s health advocate Tamsen Fadal is on a mission to normalize menopause conversations. With the release of her new book, “How To Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life, and Feel Even Better than Before,” Fadal sheds light on the often-overlooked realities of this life stage and the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding it.

Fadal emphasizes that keeping menopause a taboo subject prevents progress in research, funding and solutions. She points out that menopause is often unfairly tied to negative aging narratives when it should instead be embraced as a natural transition. She also shares a personal perspective — her mother passed away before they could discuss menopause, further motivating her to educate and support women through this journey.

Many women, including Fadal herself, enter perimenopause without recognizing the symptoms. She highlights signs such as heavy bleeding, sleep disturbances, weight gain, hot flashes, irritability and mood changes. Because symptoms can be mistaken for stress or life events, many women struggle to identify what’s really happening to their bodies.

Misconceptions about menopause persist, including the belief that it only happens later in life (though the average age is 51) or that it marks the end of a fulfilling sex life. Another myth is that hormone therapy is the only option; while it’s beneficial for some, Fadal underscores the growing availability of nonhormonal treatments.

Managing menopause symptoms requires a personalized approach. Fadal found relief through hormone therapy, which helped her sleep and improved libido. She also incorporated magnesium for brain fog and sleep issues, strength training for bone health and dietary changes to support overall well-being. For those who cannot use hormones, alternative prescriptions and lifestyle adjustments — including increased protein intake and resistance exercises — can also be effective.

She stresses the need for women to advocate for themselves in medical settings. Key questions to ask doctors include their comfort level discussing perimenopause, available treatment options and necessary health screenings like bone scans. Many doctors are not well versed in menopause care, making it crucial for women to seek informed providers.

Menopause also impacts personal and professional relationships. Fadal encourages open communication with loved ones to foster understanding and support. She reflects on her own experience of initially feeling embarrassed but later realizing that normalizing the conversation benefits everyone.

Her ultimate advice? Prioritize yourself. She urges women to invest in their health, seek support and embrace the next chapter of life with confidence. “How to Menopause” is available starting today, providing a road map for navigating this transition with knowledge and empowerment.