Love this framing—menopause as a market signal and a human one. In my work, I see every day how treating it as a ‘lifestyle inconvenience’ robs women of both agency and dignity. Thank you for naming this.
Thanks for this, Maryann. It is no wonder women’s healthspan is less when drugs given in lieu of hormone therapy (e.g., gabapentin for hot flashes in lieu of HRT) impact our brain health!
This is such a powerful callout. Aging can’t be truly reimagined if we keep ignoring the hormonal cliff women face in midlife. Menopause isn’t a niche—it’s a turning point. Thank you for putting this into words so clearly and for pushing the conversation where it actually needs to go.
Another area of grave neglect is a woman's life post hysterectomy. Especially for those of us with a cancer history.
And doctors woefully ill- equipped to prepare, advise or treat.
The most infuriating being the years of dismissiveness...probably due to a lack of knowledge, training or resources.
Love this framing—menopause as a market signal and a human one. In my work, I see every day how treating it as a ‘lifestyle inconvenience’ robs women of both agency and dignity. Thank you for naming this.
Thanks for this, Maryann. It is no wonder women’s healthspan is less when drugs given in lieu of hormone therapy (e.g., gabapentin for hot flashes in lieu of HRT) impact our brain health!
https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2025/07/11/gabapentin-dementia-research/5501752251695/
Incredibly important, incisive, and concise writing on an issue that has massive impact on everyone, not just women. Thank you so much Maryann!
This is such a powerful callout. Aging can’t be truly reimagined if we keep ignoring the hormonal cliff women face in midlife. Menopause isn’t a niche—it’s a turning point. Thank you for putting this into words so clearly and for pushing the conversation where it actually needs to go.