No longer will we tolerate the taboos surrounding the menopause! Here at Become, we strongly believe that menopause is a time when we really need, more than ever, to speak out about our bodies and our feelings – as it’s only by creating conversations that we can change social stereotypes. And to celebrate #nationalconversationsweek we’ve compiled a list of some of the spokeswomen who speak so bravely and eloquently about the menopause (with many different viewpoints, ideas and political leanings – we like to hear all sides of a story… ) and who are creating and changing the conversation for future generations.

Gayani Abeyasinghe

Founder of Become and Head of Femtech at MAS, Gayani’s passionate about women’s health. In developing the range of Become clothing for menopausal women, she has realised, even as a woman herself, how under-informed we all are about the menopause and the lack of education. She believes fiercely in breaking down stigmas surrounding the menopause, as well as empowering the 10m+ women in the UK going through it. She’s spoken out at various events and in the media, most recently on the BBC.

Maryon Stewart 
Maryon is a world-renowned healthcare expert who is referred to as the 'Pioneer of the Natural Menopause Movement'. Using her years of knowledge and expertise, she coaches women in understanding the information, tools and techniques needed to get well, to the point that they are able to be completely symptom-free. Over the last 27 years, she has spoken widely in the media and written many self-help books, helping tens of thousands of women all around the world overcome PMS and menopause symptoms and reclaim their wellbeing. Maryon has her own website at www.maryonstewart.com. 

Meg Mathews
An icon of the nineties Brit Pop scene, Meg Mathews is a former PR, events planner and designer turned entrepreneur and advocate for the menopause. When she turned fifty and began to experience the first symptoms, she was shocked at the lack of support shown to women during this time in their lives and made it her mission to break the stigma around the menopause. Meg's Menopause launched in January 2018 and is dedicated to empowering women through an honest and frank discussion of all things menopause.

Jo and Ann from Positive Pause

PositivePause (formally HotFlush) was formed in 2016 by Jo and Ann, both menopausal and frustrated by the limited amount of information available online. They hope that by sharing their own discoveries and experiences in an upbeat way, women will find the support they need during this complex time. They embrace midlife, helping women to be the best that they can and speak to many experts so they can share what they’ve learnt to help others be more positive about the pause.

MP Rachel Maclean

As MP for Redditch County, Rachel Maclean has made it her mission to raise awareness of the menopause and its impact on women. Rachel’s campaign was boosted after receiving the backing of Prime Minister, Theresa May. Using her own personal experience, Rachel has been working with menopause experts and support groups to address the impact the menopause has on women at work. Rachel says: “I’m not afraid to stand up and start talking about menopausal symptoms in a House of Commons, which isn’t used to hearing such things. Taboos are there for tackling.”

Lauren Chiren

Lauren is a no-nonsense health and business coach who helps people achieve their desires, goals and dreams while helping businesses maintain the bottom line by retaining their top talent. Her own menopause in the corporate environment led her to completely reinvent her approach to her own and others' success. Toda,y she helps female executives to maintain peak performance throughout their menopause, as well as educating large employers about the menopause. She has impacted 1000's of people across the globe through TV and radio appearances, talks, courses and private sessions.

Sophie Claus

Sophie had to navigate her way through surgical menopause aged just 32, after having a hysterectomy and oophorectomy. “The ferocity and intensity of the surgical menopause symptoms left me feeling shell-shocked and the delay in receiving support had a huge impact on my emotional wellbeing and career." There was no local menopause group, so Sophie began a ‘Menopause Cafe’ (a concept founded by Rachel Weiss). "It’s been lovely to meet with other women of all ages going through much the same. Through talking about it and sharing our experiences, we can not only comfort and support one another, but we can help shape a way forward and improve menopause care.”

Diane Danzebrink

Diane Danzebrink aka The Menopause Counsellor is a menopause well-being consultant to both individuals and organisations and a passionate campaigner for better menopause education, awareness and support. Diane’s own experience of surgical menopause made her acutely aware of the lack of support available for women and as a result she launched the #MakeMenopauseMatter campaign in Parliament on World Menopause Day last year, to date the campaign petition has attracted over 16,000 signatures. To sign the petition visit menopausesupport.co.uk where you can also find links to Diane’s Facebook support group and her latest TV and Radio appearances. 

This is a truly amazing group of women, who inspire us with their words of wisdom every day. But this is just the beginning of the conversation! Long may menopause talk continue into 2019 and beyond. 

And now we ask... Who do you think is driving the conversation? Are you doing anything yourself in this space? If you are a menopause spokesperson, please get in touch with us at hello@webecome.co.uk – we’d love to talk to you!

Come and join our Chilled Menopause Facebook Group, where you can ask any burning questions you have about the menopause or simply share your own experiences.

We look forward to speaking to you there!  

Team Become