From Menarche to Menopause: Rewriting the Narrative of Womanhood
As a young girl, I was warned about my period—the inconvenience, the uncontrollable emotions, and of course the pain. My mother did her best to put a positive spin on it, and all these scary stories were sugar-coated with the narrative that it was a passage, from girlhood to womanhood. So, my first period felt like an initiation, and despite the fear-mongering, I was excited.
As my cycle developed, so did the challenges; by 14, my period was all over the shop. I would bleed for weeks at a time and the pain was unbearable at times. I hated my period and wanted to shut it off. As it would turn out, I had an ovarian cyst the size of an orange. I was reassured that once removed, my hormones would supposedly regulate and I would be 100%.
They didn’t.
After the surgery, my period pain progressively went from bad to worse; by 19 the pain was chronic, every single day, and it marked a decade-long journey into understanding my cycle and my body on a deeper level.
Years later, another laparoscopic surgery would reveal endometriosis, yet, despite all this pain I had come to appreciate the heavy emotions and the ability to let my energy move through me uninhibited. I would welcome the pain as a call to rest, and I now honour my body through its ebs and flow.
At 30, I finally learnt to embrace my womanhood fully, but now there’s a new narrative, a bigger and much scarier monster to fear…
Menopause.
The complete breakdown of the female body…
You’re sweaty.
You’re angry.
Your metabolism stops.
Your vaginal wall thins.
Your bones weaken.
You hate everyone.
And think everyone hates you.
Why Are We Taught to Fear Our Biology?
As women, we are conditioned to fear every stage of our biological evolution. First, we are taught to dread our periods. Then, we are made to believe that menopause is the end of vitality, beauty, and joy. The narrative of menopause is terrifying, and the noise seems to be getting louder.
I had spent the majority of my adolescence wanting my period to stop, and now I’m spending my adulthood terrified of its demise.
As a budding naturopath, I am a strong believer in the miracle on the human body; I refuse to believe it works against us and I’ve been on a mission since I was 19 to prove to myself and other women that we are so incredibly lucky to be just that: women.
So, I’ve researched to prove that menopause isn’t the end; it is a beginning—a rebirth.
Growing from the fertile soil that is our menarche, menopause is a time of harvest, to take in our creations and reflect on the beauty we have birthed during our seasons. A phase of life where a woman’s power is no longer tied to her reproductive cycle but to her lived experience, wisdom, and ability to nurture herself and others in new ways.
So instead of fearing menopause, let’s prepare for it.
How to Support Your Body in Your 30s for a Seamless Menopause Transition
There is no denying menopause brings some big biological shifts, and with that, a whole range of physical changes, bone loss, changes to bladder and vaginal health, loss of muscle mass, and a higher risk of cardiovascular issues.
The warnings about menopause aren’t completely in vain; it can be an extremely tough transition for a lot of women. However, I feel there is not enough conversation about how to prepare for it. No one emphasises that how we care for ourselves in our 30s and beyond gives us so much more control over how we navigate these changes.
Instead of fearing it, we can set ourselves up for a smoother transition by supporting our hormones, strengthening our bones, stabilising our moods, and keeping our energy vibrant. It’s impossible to prevent menopause, but we can prepare for it in a way that allows us to move into this next phase feeling strong, balanced, and empowered.
Strengthen Your Bones
Bone loss kicks in around perimenopause, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. That’s why it’s so important to go into this phase with the strongest bone density possible. The more we build and protect our bones in our 30s and 40s, the better equipped we are to handle the natural changes that come with menopause. Think of it like a savings account; the more bone mass you "deposit" now, the more you have to draw from later.
Weight-bearing exercises like Pilates, strength training, and walking help build bone density.
Ensure adequate calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D intake.
Reduce excessive processed foods, as they can contribute to calcium depletion.
2. Support Liver Detoxification
Your liver plays a key role in metabolising hormones. A sluggish liver can lead to estrogen dominance, which contributes to heavy periods, PMS, and eventually, a rockier menopause transition. Support detoxification with:
Bitter greens (dandelion, rocket, kale)
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
Lemon water and herbal teas (dandelion root, milk thistle)
3. Regulate Stress & Prioritise Rest
Chronic stress can exacerbate menopausal symptoms. If your adrenals are burnt out in your 30s, your transition into menopause is likely to be more turbulent.
Prioritize sleep (7-9 hours)
Practice mindfulness and breathwork
Reduce inflammatory foods that contribute to stress on the body (excessive sugar, refined grains, vegetable oils)
Set boundaries to protect your energy
4. Nourish Your Hormones
Focus on healthy fats (avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds) to support estrogen production.
Prioritize protein to maintain muscle mass and metabolic health.
Include phytoestrogen-rich foods (flaxseeds, soy, lentils) to help balance hormonal fluctuations.
Limit excessive caffeine and alcohol, as they can disrupt hormonal balance.
Menopause is a Rite of Passage, Not a Curse
We get to rewrite the menopause story. Instead of dreading it, we can prepare for it, honour it, and embrace it as the next phase of our evolution, one that brings wisdom, strength, and a deeper connection to ourselves.
Menarche was our first initiation into womanhood. Menopause is the next—a passage into wisdom, self-trust, and a new kind of power.
Because womanhood is not something we lose. It is something we deepen into.
Written By
Beth Lee
