How to Menopause

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of sexual content.

“Little did I know, there was nothing wrong with me. I was not imagining things. I was out sick. I did not have an anxiety disorder. What had happened was that I had run smack-dab into the best kept secret out there.”

This passage uses a conversational tone and repetition to emphasize the Fadal’s initial confusion and eventual revelation about menopause. The phrase “best kept secret” implies irony, emphasizing how menopause is often under-discussed despite its prominence. The style is direct and personal, with the goal of making the topic approachable.

“You don’t pass through menopause. You enter it and live there for the rest of your life. It’s like a big old Victorian house that needs some work but will be beautiful when you finish the renovations.”

The metaphor of menopause as a “big old Victorian house” conveys the complexity and permanence of this life stage. It suggests that while menopause may require effort and adjustment, it also has potential for beauty and growth. The tone is reflective and optimistic as Fadal attempts to reframe perceptions of menopause.​ This metaphor also subtly supports the theme of Embracing Midlife As a Time of Empowerment and Growth, suggesting that menopause, like an old house, has layers of character worth restoring.

“Menopause is technically only one day long1 It occurs 366 days after the first day of your final menstrual period.”

This statement uses the medical definition of menopause to clarify misconceptions (Removing the Mystery and Stigma Surrounding Menopause). This contrasts with the common perception of it as a prolonged phase.