I’m in my 40s now, growing up I didn’t hear much about menopause other than whispered mentions of women going through “the changes”. I can pretty much pinpoint the exactly when my mom went into perimenopause, even if she didn’t ever talk about it. None of the women in my family ever talked about perimenopause or menopause. It was always a hush hush thing they were too embarrassed to talk about.

I also had a pretty decent sex ed class, mostly though they talked about young girls starting out period and how to avoid getting pregnant. I don’t really remember much talk of what comes after though.

Recently, I was on a trip to see family and I spent a few days with 2 aunts who I hadn’t seen since I was a young teen. Both were very open about their experiences with menopause and didn’t really hold back. It was so great!

Many of my colleagues are a few years older than me and further along in the perimenopause/menopause process and they are also open about their experiences. All the ladies talk about symptoms like brain fog, hot flashes, insomnia, and what has helped alleviate some of these symptoms. I’ve also talked to the ladies at the hair salon and overheard random women talking about it in the store. I love how much times have changed and people don’t feel we need to go through it alone.

I didn't really know anything at all. I'd heard a few vague references via mass media to hot flashes, but I don't remember anyone in my family mentioning it at all. (For context, I was born in '71.)