Nestled in the middle of World Menopause Month is the holiday World Menopause Day. This day attempts to raise public awareness of menopause and the support options available to post-menopausal women to improve their well-being and quality of life.

Even though menopause is part of the natural cycle, many women are not prepared for the physical, mental, and emotional changes likely to occur with this transition. The decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels can cause hot flashes, weight gain, and vaginal dryness.

These are changes every woman should be prepared for, and this holiday attempts to raise awareness about them.

The History of World Menopause Day

This holiday was created in 2009 by the International Menopause Society (IMS). They established this day to raise public awareness about menopause and to encourage menopausal women to seek the support and treatment they need.

Important Facts About Menopause

Below are some important facts about menopause that we feel everyone should know. We have been quite thorough in our research and believe that most people will find the following points useful.

With that said, we also feel that these points are only a starting point and that people should take the time to learn more about menopause and its effects on women’s health.

• The average age for the onset of menopause is 51.
• Most women will stop having periods between the ages of 45 and 55.
• Perimenopause marks the beginning of a woman’s transition into menopause.
• Menopause affects bone health, so women should consume plenty of calcium, take vitamin D supplements, and avoid smoking.
• Menopause can affect a woman’s heart health as arteries become less flexible.

Observing World Menopause Day

Every year, the IMS releases a theme that summarizes a particular aspect of menopause being focused on. For example, in 2018, the theme was “Sexual Wellbeing After Menopause,” and in 2019, it was “Testosterone for Women at Midlife.” In 2021, the theme for this holiday was “Bone Health.“

Women can observe this holiday by preparing for menopause if they have not yet gone through the change, or by seeking the support and treatment they need if they are already menopausal. Everyone can benefit by learning more about menopause and how it affects women. On social media, people can use the hashtag #WorldMenopauseDay to spread the word about this holiday.