M-Boldened

It’s time to change the global menopause conversation. Let’s stop talking just in terms of the stereotyped sweaty, hot-flush beleaguered female, the infertile crone or the wise woman – the reality of the menopause experience is so diverse and deserves to be heard. M-Boldened: Menopause Conversations We All Need to Have is a book about menopause unlike any other. Its contributors, speaking from many different walks of life, open up the conversation in new and profound ways for people across the globe. Recognising menopause as a human rights issue that affects everyone everywhere, these 21 chapters cover an astounding range of perspectives, from harrowing experiences of surgical menopause, the impact on relationships and hormonal realities of transitioning, to revelations of shocking neglect in the UK criminal justice system and compelling chapters on menopause as a time of activism, rage, reawakening, transformation and realising your own power. The honesty, intimacy and passion shared in these pages will make you see menopause in a whole new light. Each chapter shapes a much-needed courageous conversation about how we can and should view menopause and midlife. Read on to be part of the new conversation.

Written and curated by General Editor Caroline Harris, writer and former journalist (Spare Rib; The Observer), the book features chapter contributions from: Carol Russell, founder of Fresh Voices UK and acclaimed screenwriter on the BAFTA-nominated Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle; Jennifer Nadel, founder of Compassion in Politics; Tessa Sanderson CBE, Olympic gold-winning athlete and Patron of Adoption UK; Lynne Franks OBE, communications powerhouse, founder of the SEED women’s empowerment network; Shad Begum, recipient of the International Women of Courage award for her pioneering work in Pakistan; acclaimed filmmaker Arzu Qaderi, whose work amplifies the voices of women in Afghanistan; founders of The M Word festival in Ireland Aisling Grimley and Catherine O’Keeffe; Sophia Tzeng, entrepreneur and nonprofit executive; groundbreaking commentator and activist Caryn Franklin MBE; Rachel Weiss, founder of the Menopause Café movement; Diane Danzebrink, #MakeMenopauseMatter founder; the Medical Women’s International Association; First Vice President of the Global NGO Executive Committee affiliated with the Department of Global Communications, United Nations, Dr Padmini Murthy; women’s health and menopause champions Dr Christine Ekechi and Dr Wen Shen; and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. Other chapters offer intimate, harrowing and heartfelt accounts: Clare Barstow relates her shocking experiences of menopause neglect in the UK criminal justice system; Cat Chong explores how we use language to frame the menopause from a non-binary perspective; Emily Steinberg uses graphic art to visualise the history of menopause treatment; Carren Strock explores the emotional, mental and sexual awakenings of menopause; Sophie Watkins and her partner Stephen Purvis share how Sophie’s surgical menopause affected them and their relationship; and Lee Hurley talks about the shock of menopause as a trans man. The introduction also includes original interviews with Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, and Dr Caroline Marfleet, a pioneering consultant in sexual and reproductive health.