Get Guardian on GoogleA pharmacist, Mosunmola Rodipe, has warned that women could begin experiencing symptoms associated with menopause as early as 30, urging governments at all levels to intensify public awareness about the condition.
Rodipe, founder of the Menopause Support Initiative and convener of I Work For Menopause, said many men and women remained ignorant of menopause and andropause, despite the physical, emotional and behavioural changes associated with the conditions.
She spoke in Abuja while addressing journalists, arguing that misconceptions about menopause had left many women struggling to understand changes in their bodies.
According to her, contrary to the widespread belief that menopause begins at 50 years and above, some women experience symptoms much earlier.
She called on governments at all levels to deepen public sensitisation about menopause and its effects on women’s health.
The pharmacist said her decision to champion support and counselling for women experiencing menopause-related challenges was informed by her personal experience.
She disclosed that she experienced 13 out of 15 identified signs and symptoms of menopause, adding that the experience was so overwhelming that she sought help at a psychiatric hospital.
Recounting her experience, Rodipe said she noticed unusual weight gain around her stomach, digestive difficulties and memory loss, which affected her ability to manage her businesses.
“I noticed along the way, I was putting on fats along my stomach region. Food was not digesting. I knew there was something wrong with my system.
“But because of fear, I did not know what was I doing. I was reading. I had five branches of pharmacy. I wanted to build chains of pharmacy. And I realized that I had memory loss. I could not remember things. So I couldn’t manage,” she said.
Rodipe also said early menopause could have a hereditary component, stressing that the condition should not be understood strictly in terms of age.
She said, “It is not an age thing. I used to think that it would start at 53. I got into menopause at 53. And you see, people believe that what is menopause is when your blood flow stops.”
The community health expert announced plans to launch an interactive website aimed at providing information and support for men and women dealing with menopause and andropause.
She also unveiled plans to introduce what she described as Nigeria’s first AI-powered companion wellness platform for menopause support, called Medopause.
“We are launching our interactive website. Very, very interactive. We have photos there that will blow your mind.
“And apart from the website, we are launching the first AI companion wellness for Nigerians. And it’s called the Medopause,” she said.
