Celebrating World Menopause Day

It was no ordinary Wednesday. On 18 October 2023, around 200 women gathered in Sydney’s beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens to take a pause for women’s health. Prevention Australia and HCF presented a free yoga session to celebrate World Menopause Day.

World Menopause Day is about raising awareness for women, says Prevention Australia editor Zoe Muenier.

“There’s a need for more education and understanding to help women through this time in their lives. Menopause is a mystery and its different for us all. It’s about taking away that stigma because menopause shouldn’t be a dirty word anymore.”

Alison Brahe-Daddo joined Meunier and presenter Karen Ledbury in a live cross to Channel 7’s The Morning Show. She shared her own experience of menopause.

“My menopause started at around the age 46 and I went into some pretty heavily into some severe symptoms which is what prompted me to write the book [Queen Menopause] because I couldn’t get any information that I needed and felt really alone in that,” says Brahe-Daddo.

They discussed the physical and mental changes many women go through but still find it difficult to talk about.

“There are officially 53 symptoms but they are finding more and more,” says Brahe-Daddo. “You’ve got sleeplessness, which is one of the hardest ones. Itchy skin, anxiety, depression, sore joints, migraines. It’s important you help yourself and get the help you need.”

Sponsors of the day included Promensil, Skin Doctors and Fernwood Fitness. Attendees enjoyed a yoga class and left with a yoga mat and goodie bag worth over $100.