Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
Updated October 2023
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.
Updated October 2023
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.
What’s in the Toolkit?
Learn more by checking out the toolkit’s Glossary, Resources list, and References.
This toolkit is a project of SWHR’s Menopause Program, established to address barriers to care and reduce health disparities related to the menopause transition. The program engages women’s health care providers and researchers, patients and patient advocates, and health care decision-makers around the importance of understanding menopause and midlife care for women and promotes science-based health care policies and education to improve patient outcomes.
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.
Watch the Menopause Toolkit Video Series
The Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series features seven segments, based on each of the areas covered in the original toolkit. The video series segments include “What is Menopause?,” “Treating Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause,” and “Tips for Menopause in the Workplace,” among others.
Learn About Health Disparities in Menopause
Without access to appropriate education and resources during one’s menopause journey, women can face additional health risks, caregiving challenges, and economic burdens. Read more about these disparities and opportunities to improve menopause care in the Women’s Health Equity Initiative
Sponsor
SWHR’s Menopause Program is supported by educational sponsorships from Astellas Pharma and Pfizer. SWHR maintains editorial control and independence over educational content.
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.