For centuries, the transition to perimenopause and menopause has been misunderstood, ignored and stigmatized, leaving women feeling frazzled, fearful and alone. As we begin the celebrations of Women's History Month, we're looking at how the perception of menopause has evolved — and how modern women are reclaiming this phase as a time of strength and renewal. From ancient rituals to modern medicalization, the history of menopause reflects society's shifting attitudes toward aging, femininity and health.

 

Cultural Attitudes and Symptom Perception

Cultural norms shape how menopause is viewed, highlighting how societal values — not just biology — define menopausal experiences.

Research claims that individualistic societies (e.g., Western nations) often link menopause to loss of youth and attractiveness, correlating with higher rates of reported symptoms like hot flashes and depression. Collectivist cultures (e.g., parts of Asia and Africa) may view menopause as a liberation from reproductive roles, granting women elevated social status and reduced symptom severity.

Islamic and African traditions sometimes associate postmenopause with greater autonomy, as women are freed from strict gendered expectations. 

Native American women do not have a single word for menopause and regard the menopausal transition as a neutral or positive experience, considering postmenopausal women to be 'women of wisdom.'

 

Ancient Views on Menopause

Ancient societies viewed aging women through a mixed lens. Some premodern cultures revered older women for their wisdom and viewed menopause as transitioning to wisdom and social authority. In contrast, other cultures dismissed the same women as past their "prime."

The earliest recorded references to menopause date back to Ancient Greece. Hippocrates, often considered the father of medicine. He wrote that ‘the menses cease in most women around the fortieth year’, which he deemed was the average age women stopped having children. He associated menopause with "hysteria." He described it as "suffocation of the womb;" as the womb moved throughout the body, it produced different symptoms in response to its trapped location. Medical texts would later describe it as a "deficiency" requiring intervention. This trend persisted into the 20th century, with menopause frequently treated as a medical problem to be "fixed" through hormone replacement or surgery.

In traditional Chinese medicine, menopause (juejing) was seen as a natural transition linked to shifts in energy, or qi, that required balance through dietary and herbal remedies and acupuncture, emphasizing nourishment of "kidney yin" to restore balance.

Similarly, Japanese culture uses the term konenki (energy, regeneration, renewal), to reframe menopause as a transformative phase rather than decline.

Ayurvedic medicine in India also acknowledged menopause, prescribing dietary changes, yoga and meditation to ease the transitional process.

 

The Middle Ages: Silence and Superstition

During the Middle Ages, menopause was rarely discussed. Women who exhibited mood swings or other menopausal symptoms were sometimes accused of witchcraft or hysteria. With little scientific understanding, menopause was seen as a mysterious and even dangerous phase of life.

 

The 19th and 20th Centuries: Medicalization of Menopause

The Industrial Revolution and advancements in medicine brought menopause into the medical sphere — but not always in a positive way. By the 19th century, menopause was often treated as a disease rather than a natural transition. Doctors prescribed questionable treatments, including opium, bloodletting and even oophorectomy (ovarian removal) in extreme cases.

In the early 20th century, synthetic estrogen became available, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) gained popularity. While HRT provided relief for many, it also led to a medicalized view of menopause, reinforcing the idea that it was something to be "fixed."

 

The Perimenopause Revolution: 1970s to Today

With the rise of feminism in the 1970s, attitudes toward menopause began to shift. Women started to challenge the narrative that menopause marked the end of vitality. Books like The Silent Passage by Gail Sheehy brought menopause out of the shadows, encouraging women to embrace this natural phase rather than fear it.

In 2025, perimenopause and menopause are no longer a taboo subject. Instead, they are finally being recognized as a powerful life stage rather than a medical condition. The wellness industry has embraced holistic approaches, offering natural supplements, lifestyle adjustments and much-needed community support. Open discussions from celebrities like Naomi Watts and Halle Berry and influencers like Tamsen Fadel and Dr Mary Claire Haver openly discuss their experiences, which are helping change the narrative and break the stigma.

Companies are creating menopause-friendly workplace policies, researchers are developing innovative treatments, and women are leading the conversation. Opal & Joy is part of this revolution, providing science-backed supplements, support and solutions so perimenopausal women can thrive in their new era.

This Women's History Month — and every month — let's honor the women who came before us. Those who suffered in silence, those who fought for change and those who are shaping a new future where menopause is seen not as an ending but as a new beginning.