Women Empowered: Brown Leads Discussion on Menopause Challenges

A recent conference in Otago focused on the often-overlooked challenges women face during menopause and perimenopause. Keynote speaker Brown addressed these issues in her session titled “Brain Fog, Lost Words, Fierce Moods: You’re Not Losing It, You’re Upgrading.” Her talk emphasized the psychological aspects of this transitional phase and encouraged women to adapt and flourish through these changes.

Brown highlighted the conference as a valuable opportunity for knowledge sharing, featuring a diverse lineup of speakers. She expressed enthusiasm about the event, stating, “It’ll be fun, it’ll be really entertaining and the programme looks fantastic.” Her approach centers on recognizing women’s strengths during this time, suggesting that many of the challenges faced are temporary and part of a broader transition.

Holistic Approaches to Menopause Education

The one-day conference was organized by Stacey Pine, an exercise physiologist and director of the Movement Hub, alongside yoga instructor Margie Mitchell. Both women recently enhanced their understanding of menopause through further studies and aimed to create a comprehensive event to provide vital information to women in the community.

The conference also featured insights from menopause coach Marja Captjin, lifestyle medicine practitioner Dr. Erika Hollows, and clinical nutritionist Melissa Smith. Topics included menopause hormonal therapy, exercise for pain management, and a workshop dedicated to improving sleep quality. Pine noted that despite the increased dialogue surrounding menopause in recent years, there remains a significant lack of educational resources for women. She remarked, “Good-quality research into women’s health has only started about 10 years ago, and we wanted to correct that.”

Combining Humor and Health Awareness

Brown, who received the Outstanding Comedy Award at the Auckland Fringe and the Breathtaking Performance Award at the Dunedin Comedy Awards for her show “Space Invaders,” shared her personal experiences with pelvic organ prolapse. She aims to inform audiences about health challenges through humor, avoiding scare tactics. “I love combining medicine and psychology; I love doing a deep dive into history and finding out funny things about what was thought before,” she explained.

She expressed satisfaction with the growing openness surrounding perimenopause and menopause discussions, emphasizing the importance of self-care and community support. As more women engage in these conversations, the need for comprehensive resources and support systems becomes increasingly crucial. Brown’s session exemplified a significant step toward empowering women during these critical transitions in their lives.