It's time to change the global menopause conversation. Let's stop talking just in terms of the stereotyped sweaty, hot-flush beleaguered female, the infertile crone or the wise woman - the reality of the menopause experience is so diverse and deserves to be heard. M-Boldened: Menopause Conversations We All Need to Have is a book about menopause unlike any other. Its contributors, speaking from many different walks of life, open up the conversation in new and profound ways for people across the globe. Recognising menopause as a human rights issue that affects everyone everywhere, these 21 chapters cover an astounding range of perspectives, from harrowing experiences of surgical menopause, the impact on relationships and hormonal realities of transitioning, to revelations of shocking neglect in the UK criminal justice system and compelling chapters on menopause as a time of activism, rage, reawakening, transformation and realising your own power. The honesty, intimacy and passion shared in these pages will make you see menopause in a whole new light. Each chapter shapes a much-needed courageous conversation about how we can and should view menopause and midlife. Read on to be part of the new conversation.

About the Author
Written and curated by General Editor Caroline Harris, writer and former journalist (Spare Rib; The Observer), the book features chapter contributions from: Carol Russell, founder of Fresh Voices UK and acclaimed screenwriter on the BAFTA-nominated Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle; Jennifer Nadel, founder of Compassion in Politics; Tessa Sanderson CBE, Olympic gold-winning athlete and Patron of Adoption UK; Lynne Franks OBE, communications powerhouse, founder of the SEED women's empowerment network; Shad Begum, recipient of the International Women of Courage award for her pioneering work in Pakistan; acclaimed filmmaker Arzu Qaderi, whose work amplifies the voices of women in Afghanistan; founders of The M Word festival in Ireland Aisling Grimley and Catherine O'Keeffe; Sophia Tzeng, entrepreneur and nonprofit executive; groundbreaking commentator and activist Caryn Franklin MBE; Rachel Weiss, founder of the Menopause Cafe movement; Diane Danzebrink, #MakeMenopauseMatter founder; the Medical Women's International Association; First Vice President of the Global NGO Executive Committee affiliated with the Department of Global Communications, United Nations, Dr Padmini Murthy; women's health and menopause champions Dr Christine Ekechi and Dr Wen Shen; and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. Other chapters offer intimate, harrowing and heartfelt accounts: Clare Barstow relates her shocking experiences of menopause neglect in the UK criminal justice system; Cat Chong explores how we use language to frame the menopause from a non-binary perspective; Emily Steinberg uses graphic art to visualise the history of menopause treatment; Carren Strock explores the emotional, mental and sexual awakenings of menopause; Sophie Watkins and her partner Stephen Purvis share how Sophie's surgical menopause affected them and their relationship; and Lee Hurley talks about the shock of menopause as a trans man. The introduction also includes original interviews with Mandu Reid, leader of the Women's Equality Party, and Dr Caroline Marfleet, a pioneering consultant in sexual and reproductive health.

Reviews

The subject of menopause is very serious because this natural state which is part of the normal sexual and reproductive life of women is often negatively treated by harmful traditional behavio[u]rs. Postmenopausal women are thus excluded from sexual relations, including with their husbands, on the grounds that it would cause illnesses in them. One of the consequences of this practice is that all pathological bleeding, including that caused by cancer of the uterus, is paradoxically welcomed by victims who believe they are having a return to menstruation. In my long struggle against female genital mutilation, child marriage, and other harmful traditional practices, I have always spoken out against the harmful traditional practices including those associated with menopause. This is why I am very happy to see that renowned and very committed specialists like [Dr Eleanor Nwadinobi] have participated in the in-depth analysis of the phenomenon of menopause through this excellent book entitled: M-Boldened: Menopause Conversations We All Need To Have, edited by Caroline Harris.

-- Dr Morissanda Kouyate, Executive Director of Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices; laureate of the 2020 United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize



Book Information
ISBN 9780750994064
Author Caroline Harris
Format Hardback
Imprint The History Press Ltd
Publisher The History Press Ltd