World Menopause Day Was Yesterday — But the Conversation Needs to Continue Today
Yesterday was World Menopause Day, and this year’s theme Chronic Pain at Midlife is one of the most important yet. Chronic pain affects millions of women during perimenopause, menopause and post‑menopause, but it’s still misunderstood, minimised, or dismissed entirely.
And here’s the truth we need to keep saying loudly: Menopause doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some women experience mild symptoms. Some experience a handful, but severely. Some experience almost everything on the list. And there is no way of knowing what your menopause will be like until you’re in it.
That unpredictability is exactly why awareness matters.
Chronic Pain: A Menopause Reality We Don’t Talk About Enough
Falling oestrogen affects pain pathways, inflammation, bone density, muscle recovery, and even nerve sensitivity. That’s why chronic pain during the menopause transition can show up in so many different ways:
Musculoskeletal pain — widespread aches in muscles and bones
Joint pain and stiffness — especially hands, hips, knees, shoulders
Generalised body aches — the “all‑over” discomfort many women describe
Migraines and headaches — often worsening in perimenopause
Chronic pelvic pain — linked to existing conditions that flare with hormonal change
Back pain — influenced by both musculoskeletal shifts and bone density changes
Fibromyalgia‑type pain — heightened pain sensitivity and fatigue
Bone‑related pain — often connected to declining bone strength
None of this is “just ageing.” It’s hormonal, physiological, and deserving of proper care.
Bone Health, Osteoporosis & Vitamin D
Menopause has a profound impact on bone health:
Oestrogen protects bone density, when it drops, bones weaken faster
This increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures
Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common and worsens pain, fatigue, and bone loss
Many women experience joint stiffness, back pain, and muscle aches linked directly to hormonal change
Bone health is not a side issue, it’s central to long term wellbeing.
The Reality: Not All Women Get the Support They Need
Many women seek help and are met with:
dismissal
minimisation
“it’s just your age”
“it’s normal, just get on with it”
rushed appointments
incorrect or incomplete prescribing
a lack of understanding of the full symptom picture
Some women are treated with rudeness, judgement, or embarrassment, especially when symptoms are invisible or hard to articulate.
And many GPs simply haven’t had the training, menopause education is still not consistent across medical pathways.
This isn’t about blaming clinicians. It’s about recognising a system that needs better training, better awareness, and better support.
HRT Helps Many, But Not Everyone Can Take It
Hormone Replacement Therapy can be life changing:
It supports bone health
Reduces pain and inflammation
Helps stabilise migraines
Improves sleep, mood, and energy
Reduces joint and muscle pain
But:
Some women can’t take HRT due to medical reasons
Some women are not prescribed the right type or dose
Some are told they “don’t need it” when they clearly do
Some are left to navigate symptoms alone
Menopause care must be individual, not one size fits all.
How Starlit People Supports You, With Specialist Clinical Help
Through my partnership with Online Menopause Centre, all Starlit People clients, and their employees and family members, can access a free 15‑minute call with a menopause specialist clinician.
This call can help with:
understanding symptoms
exploring HRT options
navigating chronic pain
bone health and vitamin D guidance
early/surgical menopause
what to ask your GP
what to do if you’ve been dismissed or misinformed
After the call, people can choose to:
continue privately with OMC, or
return to their GP with clearer information and confidence
It’s accessible, compassionate, and genuinely helpful.
Menopause Champions in the Workplace
Menopause Champions play a vital role in creating supportive workplaces. They help:
guide employees to reliable resources
signpost clinical support
encourage conversations
reduce stigma
support managers
improve wellbeing culture
Champions can also be trained by The Online Menopause Centre, giving them the knowledge and confidence to support colleagues safely and professionally.
Menopause Awareness Isn’t a Day, It’s a Responsibility
World Menopause Day may have been yesterday, but the conversation continues today, tomorrow, and every day after.
Because women deserve workplaces that understand them. Clinicians who listen. Policies that protect them. And support that actually helps.
#starlitpeople #hrwithheart #safetywithsoul #wellbeing #healthandsafety #humanresources #hrconsultant #healthandsafetyconsultant #eastanglia #menopauseawarenessmonth2026 #menopauseawareness #menopauseatwork #menopauseawarenessday2026
