Menopause Can Begin at 30, Pharmacist Warns Women in Nigeria

Menopause symptoms can begin as early as 30, contrary to the common belief that it starts at 50 years and above, according to pharmacist Mosunmola Rodipe. As the founder of the Menopause Support Initiative and convener of I Work For Menopause, Rodipe is advocating for increased public awareness about menopause and its effects on women's health. She made these remarks in Abuja while addressing journalists.

Rodipe emphasized that misconceptions about menopause have left many women struggling to understand changes in their bodies. Many men and women remain ignorant of menopause and andropause, despite the physical, emotional, and behavioral changes associated with these conditions. This lack of understanding can lead to women experiencing symptoms without knowing what is happening to their bodies.

According to Rodipe, her decision to champion support and counseling for women experiencing menopause-related challenges was informed by her personal experience. She disclosed that she experienced 13 out of 15 identified signs and symptoms of menopause, which was an overwhelming experience that led her to seek help at a psychiatric hospital. Her symptoms included unusual weight gain, digestive difficulties, and memory loss.

Rodipe's personal experience with menopause involved noticing unusual weight gain around her stomach, digestive difficulties, and memory loss, which affected her ability to manage her businesses. She had five branches of pharmacy and was planning to build more, but her symptoms made it challenging for her to manage her work. She initially didn't know what was happening to her and was afraid to seek help.

The pharmacist also noted that early menopause could have a hereditary component and stressed that the condition should not be understood strictly in terms of age. She mentioned that people often believe menopause is when a woman's blood flow stops, but it encompasses more than that. Rodipe's experience with menopause began at 53, but she is aware that some women experience symptoms much earlier.

To address the lack of awareness and support for women experiencing menopause, Rodipe plans to launch an interactive website aimed at providing information and support for men and women dealing with menopause and andropause. The website will feature photos and provide a platform for people to access information and connect with others who are going through similar experiences.

Additionally, Rodipe unveiled plans to introduce Nigeria's first AI-powered companion wellness platform for menopause support, called Medopause. This platform aims to provide women with a supportive and interactive tool to help them navigate the challenges of menopause. With these initiatives, Rodipe hopes to increase awareness and support for women experiencing menopause in Nigeria.

Key points

• Menopause symptoms can start as early as 30 in some women.
• Lack of awareness and misconceptions about menopause can lead to women struggling to understand changes in their bodies.
• A new interactive website and AI-powered wellness platform, Medopause, are being launched to provide support and information for women experiencing menopause.