Millennials are rebranding menopause.

Oh hi there, it’s me: your self-appointed Millennial spokesperson. What are my qualifications, you ask? Well, I’ve been known to use "adulting" as a verb. I can identify a quote from Friends with pinpoint accuracy. I will text using emojis, and I will not apologise for it. I’m still wearing skinny jeans, because frankly, I think they’re the most flattering cut. 

And the sock debate? My socks are resolutely ankle-length.  

I think we can all agree I’m uniquely placed to tell you what, exactly, my generation is thinking about. 

I’m as surprised as you are to report that it’s… menopause. 

Yep, the very menopause that was once just an abstract concept we learned about in PDHPE — something that happened to our mothers and grandmas, but surely not to us? — has become the hot topic of conversation for a whole generation. 

Consider this your PSA that we're not talking about your grandmother's menopause here. (Unless, obviously, you'd like to discuss your grandmother's menopause, in which case this is a safe space and you're super welcome.)

No, in typical Millennial fashion, we’re heavily into the relaunch, so we’ve welcomed in "Millenopause": a movement of young(er) women grappling with changes to their bodies and hormones which could kick-start as soon as our late thirties — or for some, even earlier. Millenopause is a term which acknowledges that elder Millennials, now sitting squarely in their 40s, are flying the flag for a new approach to menopause: one that’s candid, informed, and absolutely without shame.

Of course, Millenopause isn’t actually different from menopause, despite its branding. We’re still talking about the process where a uterus stops releasing eggs, and all the associated symptoms, which can range from hot flushes, vaginal dryness and night sweats to problems with sleep, behavioural changes and brain fog. But while Millennials are hyper-invested in learning more about menopause, they aren’t interested in the taboo that traditionally accompanied menopause, or a perception that a natural progression for all women is "sad" or "undesirable".

Critically, Millennials know that menopause doesn’t need to equal suffering in silence. We know that menopause, and perimenopause, comes with a raft of symptoms which differ from person to person. We know that no two women going through menopause will look exactly the same. And we know that there are over-the-counter options for managing some menopause symptoms which are accessible to anyone. 

Take, for example, Remifemin. The subject of over 60 years of research, it's available in pharmacies without a prescription (!) and used by millions of women all over the world for effective relief of some of the most common menopause symptoms. It contains a plant extract, natural active ingredient black cohosh, an effective way to reduce hot flushes and relieve night sweats commonly associated with menopause (— always read the label and follow the directions for use).

And it's the type of treatment that gives our generation hope that we’ll be more equipped to handle the challenges of menopause than the generations of women before us, often shamed into hiding their symptoms because of social constructs which painted menopause as something embarrassing. 

Luckily, in 2024, thanks to social media, menopause is no longer invisible. In fact, it’s now more visible than ever. I mean, if there's anything Millennials know how to do, it’s make candid content online for others. Lest we forget that Millennials walked (made memes) so Gen Xers could run (make TikToks). 

Enter: the Millennial influencers who are fighting the good fight on menopause, making sure no sister is left behind in the quest for visibility and information. 

Influencers like Victoria Hardy, who has been in menopause since her 30s and is shedding light on the symptoms for everyone to see. 

Like Dr Jess Blom, who's made it her mission to demystify perimenopause for young women. Jess spreads the word about prepping for perimenopause with thousands of women eager to learn more about what to expect from the process (she's even coined the hashtag #periprepper — and you know us Millennials love a hashtag). 

Like Erica Lugo, who's dedicated to making information about perimenopause for women in their 30s as accessible as possible. 

There are now whole content hubs on social media dedicated to menopause and perimenopause content, including Oh Hello Perry, which styles itself as the leading global perimenopause platform and collates content from across the Internet showing what it’s really like to hit menopause, including less palatable symptoms like perimenopausal rage. 

With so much content out there, it’s no wonder that menopause is having such a moment, and it’s a fantastic development: the more we know, the better equipped Millennials (and the women who come after us) will be to face menopause head on. 

After all, we grew up in the era of Dolly Doctor. Facilitating open and frank conversations about women's health issues is kind of what Millennials were raised for.

Check out Remifemin for menopause symptom relief of hot flushes and night sweats, available in pharmacies without a prescription.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

Feature Image: Getty/Mamamia.