What Is Menopause Awareness Month and Why Does It Matter?

Every October, more people are starting to talk openly about menopause. Awareness has come a long way, but for many women it is still a stage of life that gets brushed aside, misunderstood or quietly put up with.

In this post we will look at what it is, where it came from, why awareness matters so much, and why we at Napiers care about it deeply.

So, what is Menopause Awareness Month?

October is recognised as World Menopause Month, with 18 October marked as World Menopause Day. The day is coordinated by the International Menopause Society, and its purpose is simple: to raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing¹.

Each year brings a different focus, from bone health to mood to cardiovascular health. The theme changes, but the message stays the same. Nobody should have to go through this transition feeling confused, unsupported or alone.

Why do we need a whole month for it?

Because menopause touches so many lives, and yet so many people still know very little about it. In the UK the average age of menopause is 51, and you are considered postmenopausal once you have gone 12 months without a period².

The years leading up to that point, known as perimenopause, can begin much earlier than many expect. Symptoms usually last for seven to nine years, sometimes longer, and they can change along the way³.

That is a long stretch of anyone's life. A month of focused conversation feels like the very least it deserves.

What is the purpose of Menopause Awareness Month, really?

We like to think of it as having three gentle aims. The first is helping women recognise what is happening in their own bodies, so they are not left wondering why they suddenly feel so unlike themselves.

The second is helping everyone else understand. Partners, children, friends, managers and colleagues all play a part in how supported someone feels.

The third is opening doors to help. That might mean a conversation with a GP, a change at work, a new daily routine, or simply knowing that what you are feeling is real and shared by millions of others.

Why is menopause awareness so important?

Here is the honest answer. Many women do not realise their symptoms are linked to menopause at all, and so they do not ask for help.

There are more than 30 recognised symptoms, spanning physical, psychological and cognitive changes⁴. Hot flushes and night sweats are the well known ones, but there is also brain fog, low mood, anxiety, joint aches, heart palpitations, disturbed sleep, thinning hair, skin changes and vaginal dryness³.

When you do not know these are connected, it is easy to blame yourself. Awareness changes that story.

It helps women get support sooner

Research by the Fawcett Society found that nearly half of women surveyed had not spoken to their GP about their menopause symptoms⁶. Three in ten said they had experienced delays in getting a diagnosis.

Talking about menopause openly makes that first appointment feel far less daunting.

It makes workplaces kinder

The same research found that one in ten women who worked during the menopause had left a job because of their symptoms⁶. Eight in ten said their employer had not shared information, trained staff or put a menopause policy in place.

That is a huge loss of talent, experience and confidence. Small changes, like flexible hours, a desk fan or simply an understanding manager, can make an enormous difference.

It protects long term health

Menopause is not only about how you feel day to day. Major bone loss in women happens alongside the fall in oestrogen at menopause, which is why postmenopausal women are the most common group affected by osteoporosis⁷.

Knowing this early gives you time to look after your bones, your heart and your overall wellbeing for the decades ahead.

Is menopause only something that happens around 50?

Not always, and this is one of the most important things awareness can teach. Early menopause is when periods stop before the age of 45, and premature menopause is when this happens before 40⁵.

Around one in 100 women experience menopause before the age of 40⁴. Menopause can also be brought on by surgery or certain medical treatments, so it can arrive suddenly and without warning.

Younger women going through this often feel especially isolated. The more we talk about it, the less alone they will feel.

Why does Napiers care so much about the menopause month?

For us, this goes back a very long way. Napiers has been supporting people with herbal medicine since 1860, and in that time we have walked alongside women through every stage of life, from first periods to pregnancy and right through to menopause and beyond.

We believe each of these stages deserves care, respect and good information. Menopause is not an ending, and it is certainly not something to simply put up with.

Our team includes herbalists who focus specifically on women's health, and we offer free 15 minute consultations for anyone who would like to talk things through.

Our herbalists hear the same thing over and over again: "I just wish someone had told me." That is exactly why this month matters to us. If one conversation helps one woman feel understood a little sooner, it is worth having.

How can you support yourself during perimenopause and menopause?

There is no single right way to go through menopause, and what helps one person may not suit another. The NHS suggests some sensible foundations, including a balanced diet with calcium rich foods, regular weight bearing exercise, good sleep habits, getting outside for vitamin D, cutting back on alcohol and stopping smoking⁸.

Talking to others going through the same thing can help too, as can relaxing practices such as yoga, tai chi or meditation⁸. Stress has a way of making everything feel louder, and our post on understanding stress and perimenopause explores that link in more detail.

Where do herbs fit in?

Herbal medicine has a long tradition of supporting women through this transition. Herbs such as sage, black cohosh and red clover have been used for generations, and we cover them in our guide to the best herbs for menopause.

Our Napiers Midlife Mix brings together black cohosh, sage and other key herbs in one tincture. Some people also like single herbs such as Red Clover Tincture or Black Cohosh Tincture, and you can browse our full menopause support range.

Herbs are not right for everyone, especially if you take other medication or have a history of hormone sensitive conditions. That is why we always recommend talking it through first. You can book a free consultation with one of our herbalists, or speak to your GP before adding anything new to your routine.

If you are looking for more practical ideas, our earlier post on taking control of menopause naturally is a lovely place to start.

How can you get involved this October?

You do not need to organise an event or wear a badge. Awareness often starts with something much smaller.

You could ask your mum, sister or friend how they are really doing. You could share a helpful article, suggest a menopause policy at work, or book that GP appointment you have been putting off.

And if you are in the thick of it yourself, perhaps this month is a gentle nudge to be a little kinder to you.

Frequently asked questions

When is Menopause Awareness Month?

Menopause Awareness Month takes place every October. World Menopause Day falls on 18 October and is coordinated by the International Menopause Society¹.

What is the purpose of World Menopause Day?

Its purpose is to raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing¹. It also helps break the stigma that still surrounds this natural stage of life.

Why is menopause awareness important?

Awareness helps women recognise their symptoms and seek support sooner. It also helps families, friends and employers understand what someone may be going through, so they can offer the right kind of help.

What age does menopause usually start?

The average age of menopause in the UK is 51². Perimenopause symptoms can begin several years before this, and some women experience early or premature menopause before 45 or 40⁵.

What are the first signs of perimenopause?

Changes to your periods are often one of the first signs, such as cycles becoming irregular, heavier or lighter³. Many women also notice hot flushes, disturbed sleep, low mood, anxiety or brain fog.

How can I support someone going through menopause?

Start by listening without judgement and asking how you can help. Small practical things, like understanding if they need to cool down, rest or change plans, can mean a great deal.

Can a herbalist help with menopause symptoms?

A qualified herbalist can talk through your symptoms, health history and any medication, and suggest whether herbal support may suit you. Napiers offers a free consultation with a Napiers herbalist if you would like personalised guidance.

References

1. International Menopause Society. World Menopause Day. Available at: imsociety.org (Accessed 5 October 2026).
2. NHS inform. Menopause. Available at: nhsinform.scot (Accessed 5 October 2026).
3. NHS. Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. Available at: nhs.uk (Accessed 5 October 2026).
4. Local Government Association. Menopause factfile. Available at: local.gov.uk (Accessed 5 October 2026).
5. NHS. Early menopause. Available at: nhs.uk (Accessed 5 October 2026).
6. Fawcett Society (2022). Menopause and the Workplace. Summary available at: pslhub.org (Accessed 5 October 2026).
7. Women's Health Concern (2022). Osteoporosis: bone health following the menopause. Available at: Women's Health Concern factsheet (Accessed 5 October 2026).
8. NHS. Things you can do to help with menopause and perimenopause symptoms. Available at: nhs.uk (Accessed 5 October 2026).