Special Adviser to the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Dr Adeola Ekine, says menopause should be understood as a transformative phase of life.
She said it should not be seen merely as a physical or medical condition affecting women.
Ekine told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday that with awareness and acceptance, women could view menopause as a period of reflection, strength and renewed self-understanding instead of loss or decline.
She said one of the biggest gaps in women’s health education was the silence surrounding menopause, noting that cultural norms often discouraged open discussions about women’s reproductive health and bodily changes.
Ekine, former Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Lagos State Chapter, said many women were educated about menstruation and childbirth but remained unprepared for menopause as a significant life stage.
She said the emotional and mental health impacts were often ignored, including mood swings, anxiety, irritability and low self-esteem, which were rarely discussed or addressed in public health conversations.
“There is little guidance on how hormonal changes affect psychological wellbeing, relationships and daily functioning,” she said, adding that sexual health changes such as reduced libido and vaginal dryness were also often left unspoken.
Ekine said menopause was wrongly seen as a sudden event rather than a gradual transition, noting that many women were unaware of perimenopause, which could last several years before menopause begins.
She said the lack of awareness often caused confusion, anxiety and misdiagnosis of symptoms, as many women did not understand the natural progression of hormonal changes during midlife.
She strongly advocated for the inclusion of menopause education in secondary school curricula, alongside puberty education, to build early awareness and reduce stigma around women’s health transitions.
“Early education will demystify menopause, reduce stigma and empower future generations of women with knowledge and confidence to manage their health proactively,” Ekine said.