Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide

Updated July 2026

Although the term menopause is  often used loosely to describe the entire time frame of a woman’s midlife changes, there are different stages to menopause. The transition to menopause is often incremental, with hormonal changes and associated symptoms sometimes starting before women begin to notice changes in their menstruation. Changes occurring in late reproductive years or perimenopause can be confusing since it may not be clear that they are related to menopause. Understanding the many changes related to menopause and being prepared for their effects can help women embrace wellness during the journey.

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR)’s Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide was created to support women through major menopause milestones and prepare them for conversations with physicians, families, and friends.

Download Toolkit

Acknowledgements

SWHR would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for supporting the creation and review of the Menopause Toolkit.

2022 Menopause Working Group

• Yamnia I. Cortés, PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, FAHA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Pat Duckworth, MBA, BA, DipCHyp, NLP Master Prac, HPD, Smarter Menopause
• Karen Giblin, Red Hot Mamas
• Claire Gill, Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation
• Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
• JoAnn V. Pinkerton, MD, University of Virginia
• Pamela D. Price, RN, The Balm In Gilead, Inc.; National Brain Health Center for African Americans
• Lisa DeMuth Satterfield, MS, MPH, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Wen Shen, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine
• Jan L. Shifren, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Arianna Sholes-Douglas, MD, FAOG, Tula Wellness and Aesthetics
• Cynthia A. Stuenkel, MD, University of California San Diego

2022 SWHR Contributors 

• Irene O. Aninye, PhD
• Carolyn McPhee, MPH
• Gabriella Watson, MS

2026 Menopause Expert Review

• Wen Shen, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine
• JoAnn V. Pinkerton, MD, University of Virginia

2026 SWHR Contributors

• Syreen Goulmamine, MPH, CHES
• Monica Lefton

This document is intended to serve as an educational and informative resource and is not intended or implied to serve as a substitute for medical or professional advice. The Society for Women’s Health Research does not make medical, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations, nor does it endorse or promote specific screening or diagnostic tests. Patients and consumers should confirm information and consult a professional health care provider to determine individual needs. The Society will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising therefrom.  

This material was created by the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) and is intended to serve as a public educational and informative resource. This material may be cited or shared on external channels, websites, and blogs, with attribution given to SWHR, or printed and displayed in its original formatted version. SWHR encourages the sharing and reposting of its content in order to spread awareness around women’s health issues. For specific questions about sharing SWHR content, please reach out to communications@swhr.org.  

Sponsors

SWHR’s Menopause Program is supported by educational sponsorships from Astellas Pharma and Pfizer. SWHR maintains editorial control and independence over educational content.