Women Empowered at Menopause Forum: Insights and Strategies

A recent forum dedicated to menopause brought together experts and attendees to discuss vital issues women face during perimenopause and menopause. The event, which took place in Otago, featured a keynote address by Brown, who delivered a session titled “Brain Fog, Lost Words, Fierce Moods: You’re Not Losing it, You’re Upgrading.” Her focus was on the psychological challenges women encounter during these transitional phases and how to adapt and thrive amidst these changes.

Knowledge Sharing and Empowerment

During her keynote, Brown emphasized the forum’s role as a platform for knowledge sharing. She noted the impressive lineup of speakers, stating, “It’ll be fun, it’ll be really entertaining and the programme looks fantastic.” Brown’s approach highlighted the significance of viewing menopause through a positive lens, suggesting that many of the associated issues are temporary transitions rather than permanent setbacks.

She urged attendees to recognize their “superpowers” during this phase of life, encouraging participants to reflect on past transitions and consider how they can adapt once again. The one-day conference was organized by exercise physiologist Stacey Pine and yoga teacher Margie Mitchell, both of whom have recently pursued further studies on menopause. Their goal was to create a holistic event offering comprehensive information to women in the area.

Expert Insights and Holistic Approaches

The forum featured a diverse array of health and wellness professionals, including menopause coach Marja Captjin, lifestyle medicine practitioner Dr. Erika Hollows, and clinical nutritionist Melissa Smith. Topics ranged from menopause hormonal therapy to exercise strategies for pain management, alongside workshops designed to improve sleep quality.

Pine highlighted the necessity of this forum, stating that despite the growing openness surrounding menopause in recent years, there remains a significant lack of education and resources available to women. She pointed out that substantial research into women’s health began only about a decade ago, creating a gap that needed to be addressed. “There is no one thing that is going to fix menopause or balance hormones,” she explained. “It was important to run a holistic event with a variety of speakers that addressed various aspects of the biopsychosocial approach.”

Brown is not only a speaker at the event but also a recipient of the Outstanding Comedy Award at the Auckland Fringe and the Breathtaking Performance Award at the Dunedin Comedy Awards for her show Space Invaders. This performance tackled her personal challenges with pelvic organ prolapse, illustrating her commitment to raising awareness around women’s health issues with a blend of humor and personal experience.

She expressed her passion for educating women in a manner that avoids scare tactics, stating, “I love combining medicine and psychology; I love doing a deep dive into history and finding out funny things about what was thought before — because there is so much sort of fearmongering.” Brown praised the increased dialogue surrounding perimenopause and menopause, underscoring the importance of mutual support and self-care during these transitions.

The forum served not only as an educational event but also as a reminder that women can emerge stronger from the challenges of menopause. By combining insights from various health professionals, participants were encouraged to embrace this natural stage of life with confidence and resilience.