Menopause Taboo Smashers 2021 by Elektra Health

Earlier this week, Elektra Health, the menopause care and education organization, announced its list of Menopause Taboo Smashers for 2021. I am extremely honored to be alongside visionary leaders like Dr. Cindy Duke, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Margaret Cho, Omisade Burney-Scott, and other passionate trailblazers who break taboos and redefine what is possible for women to be accepted as menopausal advocates. What an incredibly fitting way to celebrate World Menopause Day, which was last Monday.

As a practicing health practitioner and CEO of HealthyWomen, my goal has always been to provide women with quality information about menopause and other health issues specific to their lives. I have also made it my mission to break down the barriers that prevent women from speaking openly and without shame about their health, and through advocacy and education to break down the systems and cultural norms that prevent women from being the best they can be supply. If women cannot do this, they cannot live rich, long, and fulfilling lives. And we don’t earn less.

For many women, however, this is not yet possible, especially when it comes to menopause. For too long women have hesitated to speak openly about this normal biological condition because of inappropriate embarrassment or stigma. In a 2019 survey we conducted with WebMD, we found that while 51% of women know healthy aging is something to think about and that it requires proactive conversations with their health care providers, it is almost the same Number admitted they didn’t have these conversations. Even less discussed their concerns about menopause.

Changing that is one of our main goals at HealthyWomen. There is nothing humiliating or shameful about menopause. It is natural. Every woman will go through it. We don’t need to talk about it in hushed tones. Helping women deal comfortably and confidently with the effects of menopause is central to everything we do at HealthyWomen. To be recognized for this work now is one of the highlights of my career.

Thanks again to Elektra Health for this honor. And congratulations to all of my competitors.