From Taboo to Transformation: A Global Perspective on Menopause

Why where you live and how you're seen, can shape how you feel.

Imagine this: two women, both entering menopause. One is told it’s the beginning of the end. The other? That it’s a time of renewal and reverence.

Same biology. Different stories.

Menopause is a universal experience, but the way we feel it? That’s often shaped by culture, community, and the messages we’ve absorbed our whole lives. Whether you see this transition as a loss or a liberation has less to do with your hormones and more to do with the world around you.

So let’s take a global tour and uncover how cultural context influences menopause and why shifting the story matters.

The Western World: From Decline to (Slowly) Disruption

In many Western countries, menopause is seen through a medical lens. It’s framed as a hormonal "problem" to be fixed, often associated with symptoms like hot flushes, mood swings, weight gain, and diminished sexual vitality.

Even the word "menopause" comes from Greek roots meaning “monthly stop” - an ending.

In a culture obsessed with youth and productivity, it’s no wonder many women feel ashamed, isolated, or even invisible during this stage. Medical advice can be inconsistent, with many women told to “just take HRT”, or worse, to simply “ride it out.”

And the result? Western women often report:

• More intense vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes, night sweats)

• Higher stress and anxiety levels

• A sense of loss around identity, energy, and worth

But, thankfully, the tide is turning.

Women are speaking up. Menopause is getting airtime in boardrooms and media. And more of us are embracing natural, whole-body approaches that value the woman, not just her hormones.

Japan: A Season of Renewal

In Japan, menopause is known as “konenki”, which translates to renewal, season, and energy.

That alone says a lot.

Rather than a medical problem, menopause is seen as a natural phase, a shift into greater wisdom and inner power. The traditional Japanese diet, rich in fermented foods and soy-based phytoestrogens, may also support this transition physically by reducing vasomotor symptoms.

Interestingly, Japanese women often report fewer hot flushes and instead describe symptoms like:

• Stiff shoulders

• Headaches

The difference? In Japan, menopause isn’t pathologized. It’s integrated. And that matters.

Africa: A Mosaic of Meaning

Across the African continent, menopause is viewed through diverse lenses depending on region, tribe, and spiritual belief.

In some communities, menopause is associated with:

• Greater social status and wisdom

• A shift in household roles (less physical labor, more decision-making authority)

• Spiritual elevation, especially in elder women

Yet in areas where fertility is deeply tied to a woman’s worth, menopause can be seen as a loss. The emotional impact can vary but there’s often a communal understanding of this life stage, rather than a clinical or silent one.

Interestingly, many African women report fewer hot flushes, possibly due to lower stress levels or different dietary and lifestyle habits.

Indigenous & Native Cultures: The Rise of the Elder

Among Native American and Mayan traditions, menopause is deeply spiritual.

Post-menopausal women are often called:

• Wise women

• Healers

• Keepers of spiritual knowledge

In some cultures, menstruation is believed to release energy. When it stops, that power is retained, making elder women revered and powerful. Menopause becomes an ascension, not a decline.

This shift in identity is affirming. It redefines aging as a path to leadership, insight, and communal value.

So, What Can We Learn from These Global Views?

While the symptoms of menopause may be rooted in hormonal shifts, how we experience them is often shaped by how we see ourselves and how others see us.

💡 Cultural framing influences symptom perception.
Where menopause is respected, symptoms often feel more manageable.

💡 Community support matters.
When women are supported, educated, and valued, they’re less likely to suffer in silence.

💡 Narratives can heal or harm.
What you believe about your body and this life phase can shape your physical and emotional reality.

At Hello Mimi, We’re Rewriting the Story

We believe menopause is a powerful transition, not a problem to fix.

It’s why we’re so passionate about offering holistic, natural tools that support your whole body: nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and mindset. Because while the Western world may still be catching up, you don’t have to wait to feel supported.

No matter where you live or what stage you're in, you deserve to:

• Be seen

• Feel strong

• Embrace this phase with clarity, confidence, and connection

Ready to Explore a More Empowered Menopause?

Discover our free resources designed to help you ease symptoms, feel more balanced, and rewrite your menopause story with power and pride.

✨ Join our Facebook community → Hello Mimi Facebook Community
✨ Try the 7-Day Menopause Reset → 7-Day Menopause Reset
✨ Visit our Free Resources and Blogs → Hello Mimi Free Resources and Blogs

Let’s redefine what’s possible - together.

Disclaimer:

At Hello Mimi, we’re here to support and empower you with education, encouragement, and practical tools but we’re not a substitute for personalised medical advice. The information in this blog is for general guidance only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health, diet, or supplements especially if you're managing a condition or taking medication.