Ep 42: Preventing the Commercialisation of the Menopause

According to a report by the Female Founders Fund, the menopause market is worth an estimated $600bn – with companies targeting perimenopausal women with everything from vampire facials (PRP) for the vagina to ovary supplements and super blended teas. Whilst women have been crying out for solutions to the 30+ symptoms they can experience during this particular life stage, when the menopause is described as a 'gold rush' and 'untapped market', solutions popping up on the market start to feel less sincere in their efforts. And that got us thinking, are those operating in the menopause market serving women, or simply capitalising on women's discomfort to line their pockets? For episode 42 (and the first of 2024!), The Unfairer Sex were joined by Emily Barclay – founder of The Perimenopause Hub, author of The Aargh to Zen of Perimenopause and proud peri godmother with all the hugs – to discuss the commercialisation of the menopause, why we need to stop calling the perimenopause a diagnosis and why as estrogen declines, so does a woman's tolerance for BS. We also look at harmful myths around HRT, advocating for yourself at the doctors and how we can protect our mental health from diet culture, especially during life phrases where our weight is more likely to fluctuate. Such a great episode! Yep, it's long, but it comes with wine recommendations so we recommend keeping with it ;-)