Reframing the ‘Age of Despair’: My Menopause, My Story

As a 40-year-old woman feeling somewhat fried by hormonal imbalances, I went into World Menopause Day full of hope.

Hope that we are moving away from negative talk about “the change” and into a more open, empowering conversation.

Hope that events marking this day would offer a safe space to ask questions without judgement.

Hope that we could finally dispel some of the misconceptions surrounding this stage in a woman’s life.

According to data shared at Abbott’s “My Menopause. My Story. A New Chapter in My Life” roundtable, only 18% of women in the UAE say they have good knowledge of menopause – even though 80–85% experience symptoms ranging from hot flashes and brain fog to mood swings and anxiety.

On 16 October, the stage was set beautifully at Tania’s Teahouse in Dubai Hills for this empowering event, moderated by broadcaster Helen Farmer. It marked an important step in the movement to shift perceptions of menopause from an “age of despair” to an “age of hope.”

The discussion created a safe space for the kind of honest conversations we all want to have but are sometimes too hesitant to start.

Shedding light on this “new chapter,” the panel reframed menopause as a natural, powerful transition rather than something to hide or fear. From simple workplace tweaks like letting women adjust the thermostat or offering gut-friendly food in the cafeteria to broader moves toward education and mental health support, the speakers championed practical, compassionate change.

Dr. Khulood Alawadi, President of the Menopause Chapter at the Emirates Medical Association (EMA) and International Representative of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (UK), dispelled common myths around perimenopause and menopause. She also shared inspiring stories from her clinic, where women’s lives and relationships had been transformed through the right mix of medication and lifestyle adaptations.

The data suggests that 31% of symptomatic women now turn to online sources first. In the UAE, “menopause” is searched 3,600 times every month, and telehealth usage in the region has surged 251% since 2021 – the very gap Noor Jaber, Founder and CEO of NAWAT is seeking to close. Her platform provides a safe digital space for women to discuss sexual and reproductive wellbeing without stigma – bridging the information gap that many women face. During the discussion Noor offered up practical advice and experience on how we can help women in the GCC and around the world to better understand their bodies.

Menopause Coach and Positive Psychology Practitioner, Garima Parasher, focused on women’s mental wellbeing, sharing simple but powerful tools we can all add to our daily arsenal. Mindfulness, movement, and diet, she explained, play a huge role in shaping our menopause experience and mindset.

What was really special about this event was the spirit of sharing, of nothing being off limits.

As Noor Jaber remarked: “Too often, women juggle work, family, and social responsibilities while experiencing significant physical and emotional changes, without realising that help and solutions exist.”

So, as I approach this new phase myself, I’ve realised that conversations like these replace fear with curiosity. When we begin to view menopause as a new chapter in our story and approach it with openness rather than dread, it can transform not only our experience but our sense of self.

// Did You Know?

Menopause in Numbers — UAE & Beyond

• Average age of menopause: 48–49 years in the UAE and Saudi Arabia (global average ~50)

• Symptom prevalence: 80–85% of women experience one or more menopause symptoms - and there are over 40 recognised signs, from hot flashes and sleep issues to mood swings and anxiety

• Knowledge gap: Only 18% of women in the UAE say they have good knowledge of menopause

• Digital search trends: “Menopause” is searched 3,600 times a month in the UAE — and 31% of symptomatic women turn to online sources before seeing a doctor

• Telehealth growth: Usage in the Middle East has risen 251% since 2021, offering more private, accessible support

• Emotional wellbeing: Around 1 in 3 women experience depression during menopause, affecting relationships, confidence, and careers