Part 1 of 5: Menopause: It’s Time We Talk About It—And Why You Should Care

 Menopause Glow-Up Series — Menopause Isn’t Just About Hot Flashes

—it’s a life shift affecting every Filipina, and by extension, every family. In this first article, we break the silence, bust the biggest myths, and explain why understanding menopause matters for all.

"Why is no one talking about it? At bakit sekreto lang ng mga babae?"

For generations, menopause has been treated like a shameful secret—whispered about behind closed doors if talked about at all. In the Philippines, the stigma runs deep. Mothers hide their hot flashes, daughters don’t understand their nanay’s mood swings, and husbands dismiss symptoms as “drama lang.”

But let’s set the record straight: menopause is not a weakness. It’s a natural, powerful transition every woman experiences. And yet, why does it feel like we’re navigating this alone?

 The Hard Facts (Backed by Science)

Menopause is far more than “tigil ang regla.” It’s a full-body shift with measurable effects:

• Brain Changes: That “menopausal fog” is real—estrogen drops can impact memory and focus (JAMA Neurology, 2021).
• Bone Health: Women can lose up to 20% of bone density in the first five years post-menopause (NIH Osteoporosis Review, 2022).
• Heart Risks: Postmenopausal women face higher chances of heart disease (American Heart Association, 2023).
• Mental Health: Anxiety, depression, and insomnia often spike during this transition (WHO, 2023).

So why is menopause still treated as a private problem?

This Isn’t Just a “Woman Problem”

When a wife can’t sleep because of night sweats, when a mother snaps during a hot flash, when a lola feels dismissed as “baliw na daw sa edad”—that’s not her failure. It’s our collective failure to understand, support, and act.

This series will:

• Give you facts, not old wives’ tales
• Break the stigma—no more “hiya”!
• Guide families on how to truly support their women, because love is action, not just words

To every woman reading this: you are not crazy. You are not broken. Your body is doing something powerful, and it deserves recognition, understanding, and care.

Conclusion

Menopause is not a sign of weakness—it’s a profound biological transition that affects every system in the body, from the brain to bones, heart, and mental health. The science is clear: memory changes, bone density loss, and elevated heart risks are real, measurable, and preventable with awareness and proactive care (Harvard Health, 2022; National Osteoporosis Foundation; American Heart Association, 2020; JAMA Psychiatry, 2020). Recognizing these shifts early allows women to take control, rather than feeling blindsided or alone.

Breaking the silence is just as important as understanding the science.
When families, communities, and healthcare providers treat menopause as a taboo, women suffer unnecessarily. By sharing knowledge, busting myths, and advocating for proper support, we can transform this life stage into one of empowerment, confidence, and resilience.

Ultimately, menopause is a reminder of the body’s remarkable design and capacity for adaptation. It’s not a flaw, a failure, or a reason for shame—it’s a natural, powerful transition that every Filipina will experience. The conversation starts here.

References

1. Harvard Health. (2022). How menopause affects the brain. Harvard Medical School.

2. National Osteoporosis Foundation. (n.d.). Osteoporosis and menopause.

3. American Heart Association. (2020). Menopause and heart disorders.

4. JAMA Psychiatry. (2020).