For centuries, menopause was relegated to hushed conversations and medical dismissal, leaving countless women to navigate this significant life transition without proper support. What was once considered merely an inevitable discomfort has gradually emerged as a legitimate health concern deserving of research and respectful care. As we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th, it’s particularly fitting to examine this journey—a powerful example of how women’s collective voices have challenged systemic barriers in healthcare.

The Early Silence: Menopause as Medical Afterthought

The history of menopause in medical literature reveals a troubling pattern of dismissal. In the 19th century, medical texts often described menopause as a “pathological condition,” with symptoms frequently attributed to psychological instability rather than physiological changes (Davis et al., 2012). This medical neglect stemmed from several factors:

• The male-dominated medical establishment lacked firsthand understanding of women’s experiences

• Victorian-era taboos surrounding women’s reproductive health prevented open discussion

• Limited scientific knowledge about hormones and their effects on the body

Australian women faced particular challenges, as geographic isolation and conservative social norms further limited access to information and support (Keogh et al., 2019).

Pioneering Voices: Early Advocates for Recognition

The first significant challenges to the medical dismissal of menopause began in the early 20th century. Dr. Marie Stopes was among the first medical professionals to write compassionately about menopause in her 1918 book. In Australia, Dr. Constance Stone began addressing women’s health issues more holistically through her work at the Queen Victoria Hospital for Women and Children (Bashford, 2018).

Early International Women’s Day celebrations, which began in 1911, occasionally featured health discussions that inadvertently touched on “women’s change of life” issues. Historical records of IWD rallies in Melbourne during the 1920s mention speakers advocating for “women’s health across all stages of life”—coded language that cautiously referenced menopause (Keogh et al., 2019).

The feminist health movement of the 1960s and 1970s brought women’s bodily autonomy to the forefront, while the United Nations’ official recognition of International Women’s Day in 1977 created a new annual platform where women’s health concerns could be highlighted (Stephenson et al., 2020).

Research Revolution: Legitimising Menopausal Experiences

The scientific understanding of menopause underwent dramatic transformation through landmark research beginning in the 1960s. The identification of hormones enabled researchers to connect declining oestrogen levels with specific physical symptoms, finally providing biological explanations for what women had been reporting for generations (Davis & Gomperts, 2015).

Australian researcher Dr. Lorraine Dennerstein’s groundbreaking Melbourne Women’s Midlife Health Project, which began in 1991, provided crucial data on the varied experiences of Australian women. This longitudinal study helped establish that menopause symptoms were not uniform and required individualised approaches to care (Dennerstein et al., 2007).

International Women’s Day: Catalyst for Menopause Advocacy

International Women’s Day has emerged as a powerful catalyst for menopause advocacy, creating an annual platform where women’s health issues receive heightened visibility. The strategic significance of IWD for menopause advocacy provides a dedicated media platform where menopause stories receive mainstream coverage, an opportunity to highlight gender disparities in health research and funding and a symbolic moment to launch new initiatives and campaigns

The 2025 IWD theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” particularly resonates with menopause advocacy efforts that seek to ensure women in midlife are not excluded from healthcare priorities or workplace accommodations (Royal Women’s Hospital, 2022).

From Margins to Mainstream: Modern Advocacy

The turn of the 21st century marked a significant shift as menopause advocacy moved from the margins to the mainstream. International Women’s Day emerged as a key strategic date in this mainstreaming process, fundamentally changing both movements: menopause advocacy gained a powerful annual platform, while IWD’s relevance expanded to women across all life stages.

Key developments include the formation of the Australasian Menopause Society in 1988, the pioneering decision by the Australian Women’s Health Network to dedicate their 2018 IWD theme entirely to menopause awareness and the establishment of menopause focused healthcare services like Emsee.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated menopause advocacy when telehealth expanded access to specialists and online communities grew rapidly, connecting isolated women seeking support (Hickey et al., 2021).

Persistent Challenges and Future Directions

Despite significant progress, substantial challenges remain, for example:

• Research gaps persist, particularly regarding the experiences of Indigenous women and diverse communities

• Access to specialised menopause care remains inequitable across geographic and socioeconomic lines

• Many healthcare providers still receive inadequate training on menopause management

Conclusion

The journey of menopause advocacy from whispered secret to roaring movement demonstrates the power of persistent advocacy and women’s collective voices. International Women’s Day serves not only as an annual celebration of this progress but as a vital ongoing catalyst for further change—creating the visibility, connections, and momentum needed to continue breaking down barriers.

How Emsee Can Help

In the spirit of International Women’s Day and the proud tradition of menopause advocacy, Emsee is committed to continuing this important work by providing accessible, evidence-based care.

Book a consultation with one of our experienced healthcare providers today, with the first consultation with a doctor being gap free bulk-billable which means no out of pocket cost to you. To do this, call 1300 415 414 or fill out our online contact form.

Alternatively, answer a few questions about your health and lifestyle to get a free assessment report on your situation and discover if Emsee is the perfect match for you.

References

1. Australasian Menopause Society. (2023). Annual Report 2022-2023: Menopause Matters Conference. Retrieved from https://www.menopause.org.au/health-professionals/publications

2. Bashford, A. (2018). “Medicine, Gender and Empire: The Migration of European Female Physicians to Colonial Australia.” Health and History, 20(1), 10-27.

3. Davis, S. R., & Gomperts, M. (2015). “Menopause, hormone therapy and cognition.” Climacteric, 18(3), 142-148.

4. Davis, S. R., Lambrinoudaki, I., Lumsden, M., Mishra, G. D., Pal, L., Rees, M., & Santoro, N. (2012). “Menopause.” Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 1, 15004. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2015.4

5. Dennerstein, L., Lehert, P., & Guthrie, J. (2007). “The effects of the menopausal transition and biopsychosocial factors on well-being.” Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 5, 15-22.

6. Hickey, M., Hunter, M. S., Santoro, N., & Ussher, J. (2021). “Optimizing women’s health in the midlife through a positive approach to menopause.” Climacteric, 24(3), 233-238.

7. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health. (2023). Women’s Health Survey 2023. Retrieved from https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/research/womens-health-survey

8. Keogh, L. A., Kirkman, M., & Fisher, J. R. (2019). “Women’s experiences of menopause in Australian general practice: a qualitative study.” Australian Journal of Primary Health, 25(6), 540-545.

9. Royal Women’s Hospital. (2022). Women’s Health Strategy 2022-2027. Melbourne: The Royal Women’s Hospital.

10. Stephenson, J., Newman, K., & Mayhew, S. (2020). “Population dynamics and gender: a global perspective.” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 365(1554), 3101-3113