At different stages of their lives, women are taught to prepare for change. Girls learn about menstruation. Women receive information about pregnancy and childbirth, and new mothers are introduced to breastfeeding and the demands of caring for a child. These conversations may not always be adequate, but we recognise that these transitions require preparation and support. Menopause, however, seems to be treated differently.

For many women, the conversation begins only when something changes. Sleep becomes difficult. Their moods fluctuate. They experience hot flashes, struggle with concentration, or find themselves feeling unfamiliar in their own bodies. Some may not realise they are experiencing perimenopause, the transition leading up to menopause. Others know something is happening but do not know where to find credible information or appropriate support. And so, women begin to figure it out as they go.

Why are we comfortable preparing women for some transitions but leave them to navigate another largely on their own? Why should a woman have to experience menopause before she can have an informed conversation about it?

Menopause is a natural life transition, yet the knowledge, services, and support needed to navigate it are not always readily available. Its implications extend beyond physical symptoms to mental health, relationships, work and quality of life.

Perhaps it is time to stop treating menopause as a subject to be introduced only when a woman reaches a certain age and start treating it as part of what women should know about their bodies and their futures.

Preparing for Midlife Requires More Than Awareness

Menopause literacy must go beyond hot flashes and night sweats. Women need to understand the physical and psychological changes that may accompany this transition, the importance of nutrition and physical activity, and when to seek professional advice. But preparing for midlife also means understanding the woman as a whole person.

A woman may be navigating menopause while leading a team, building a business, raising children, caring for ageing parents or preparing for retirement. Her experience may be shaped by work pressures, caregiving responsibilities, relationships and cultural expectations about how women should behave as they age.

Movement, for instance, is an important part of this conversation. Coach Bobbie, founder of Happy Heart Fitness, who will contribute to the wellness experience at the Menopause West Africa Experience, explains: “Movement is one of the ways women can take better care of themselves during menopause and midlife. It’s not just about losing weight or looking fit; it’s about staying strong, keeping your bones healthy, protecting your heart and being able to do the things you love.”

His perspective reminds us that fitness is not simply about appearance. Appropriate physical activity can support strength, mobility and healthy ageing, helping women continue doing the things that make life meaningful.

Mental health deserves the same attention. Gbemisola, a psychotherapist and corporate wellness consultant with PsychMindGlow, observes:

“Menopause is not only a hormonal transition, but it is also a psychological one. Many women move through anxiety, low mood, sleep disruption, and a shifting sense of identity in silence, because they are told it is just age. Naming these changes early is not a weakness. It is care.”

Women should not have to dismiss emotional difficulties as an inevitable consequence of ageing. Recognising changes early and accessing appropriate professional support can help them navigate this stage of life. Health, relationships, work and financial security are interconnected. Preparing women for midlife must therefore include the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about their overall wellbeing.

Who Is Responsible for Preparing Women?

Too often, women are left to find their own answers. They search online, ask friends, consult healthcare providers if they can afford to, or simply endure what they do not understand. But why should the responsibility rest with individual women?

Families need to become more comfortable discussing menopause. Healthcare providers must offer accurate information and appropriate care. Employers need to understand how midlife health intersects with women’s wellbeing and working lives. Financial service providers, wellness practitioners, the media and community organisations also have roles to play.

Awareness alone is not enough. A woman may understand what she is experiencing but still be unable to access affordable care, find a qualified professional or receive appropriate support at work. The systems around women matter. We cannot expect women to prepare for a transition that society barely discusses, then leave them to navigate it without the necessary resources.

This is why spaces that connect women with credible information, professionals and practical support are valuable. The Menopause West Africa Experience 2026, taking place on Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, will bring these conversations together through expert discussions, health and wellness activities, and the Pause & Flourish Lounge, a dedicated midlife wellness experience.

Admission is free. The event is supported by partners including WFM, Premium Trust Bank, NETT Pharmacy, Guardian Woman, MedPlus Pharmacy, FCMB SheVentures, Dhoopy Dhoopy Makeup Brand, PsychMindGlow and Happy Heart Fitness.

Such initiatives can help make conversations about menopause more accessible, but the wider ambition must extend beyond a single event. Women need sustained access to information, services and supportive environments throughout their lives.

Women understand the value of community. We share experiences, recommend healthcare providers and help one another through difficult seasons. Yet many approach midlife without a trusted space to ask questions or discover the support available to them. We need to create those spaces deliberately: communities where women can speak openly about their changing bodies, distinguish evidence from myths, and discuss mental health, movement, relationships, careers, and financial preparedness without embarrassment.

We should prepare women for the different stages of their lives long before they arrive at them. And when they reach midlife, they deserve more than information about what is happening to their bodies. They deserve the support to continue living well. Menopause is a natural part of life. Being unprepared for it should not be.