Revolutionising Menopause: Why It’s Time to Scrap the ‘Grin and Bear It’ Mentality

For decades, menopause has been cloaked in silence, shrouded by a culture of stoicism that often leaves women feeling dismissed, isolated, and resigned to suffering. Phrases like “It’s just a part of life” or “You just have to get through it” have perpetuated the myth that menopause is something women must endure without adequate support or solutions. But in 2024, this narrative is not only outdated—it’s unacceptable.

It’s time to rethink menopause. More specifically, it’s time to challenge the societal and medical norms that trivialise this profound life transition. Integrative functional medicine offers a transformative approach that empowers women to reclaim their health, vitality, and quality of life during and after menopause.

Menopause: A Silent Struggle

Menopause is often dismissed as a natural life stage, but the physiological and psychological changes it triggers can have a profound impact on every aspect of a woman’s life. Hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, brain fog, and fatigue are just a few of the symptoms that can make daily life challenging.

Despite this, many women are met with indifference when they seek help. Conventional medicine often offers a “one-size-fits-all” approach: hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or antidepressants. While these treatments can be life-changing for some, they fail to address the root causes of menopause-related symptoms for many others. Worse still, a significant proportion of women are told to simply “grin and bear it.”

This approach ignores the complexity of menopause and the unique biology of each individual. It’s no wonder that so many women feel unheard and underserved.

Functional Medicine: A Game-Changer for Hormonal Health

Functional medicine takes a radically different approach. Rather than masking symptoms, it seeks to understand the root causes of hormonal imbalances and address them at their source. This personalised, science-driven model considers the interconnectedness of the entire body, recognising that menopause isn’t just about declining oestrogen levels—it’s about how the whole body adapts to hormonal change.

Key pillars of a functional medicine approach to menopause include:

1. Comprehensive Assessment

Functional medicine practitioners delve into the nuances of hormonal health. This includes not just testing for oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone but also assessing adrenal function, thyroid health, and gut microbiome balance—all of which play a critical role in menopause symptoms.

2. Nutrition as Medicine

The right dietary choices can profoundly impact menopausal symptoms. Functional medicine focuses on optimising blood sugar, reducing inflammation, and supporting hormonal detoxification through nutrient-dense, whole-food-based diets tailored to the individual.

3. Stress Management

Chronic stress exacerbates menopausal symptoms by overburdening the adrenal glands, which take over some hormone production after the ovaries step back. Tools such as mindfulness, yoga, and vagus nerve modulation are integral to the functional approach.

4. Targeted Supplementation

Nutritional supplements, including magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha, can bridge gaps and provide relief where diet alone may not suffice. These are chosen based on individual needs, not blanket recommendations.

5. Restorative Sleep

Menopause can wreak havoc on sleep quality, which further disrupts hormonal balance. Functional medicine places a strong emphasis on improving sleep hygiene, managing cortisol levels, and supporting melatonin production naturally.

6. Personalised Movement

Functional medicine practitioners work with patients to design exercise regimens that promote muscle mass, bone density, and cardiovascular health without overburdening the adrenal system.

Changing the Narrative

Embracing a functional medicine approach isn’t just about managing menopause better—it’s about transforming how society views this life stage. Menopause is not the end of vitality; it’s a transition to a new chapter that can be full of energy, purpose, and joy—if given the right support.

To revolutionise menopause, we need to move beyond the “grin and bear it” mentality. Women deserve to feel seen, heard, and supported. They deserve solutions that address their unique needs and empower them to thrive—not just survive.

A Call to Action

If you or someone you love is navigating menopause, know that you don’t have to settle for the status quo. Seek out practitioners who prioritise your individuality and commit to understanding the complexities of your health.