By Womaness Editors 2-Minute Read
Back in May, Womaness co-founders Sally and Michelle appeared on the Tamron Hall Show to talk about medical gaslighting in the first-ever segment of the hit talk show to touch on the topic of menopause.
More recently, Michelle rejoined Tamron along with Dr. Sharon Malone, one of the nation’s leading obstetrician-gynecologists, for an entire episode dedicated to this phase of life. “You inspired this show, Michelle, so thank you again,” the Emmy winner told our co-founder. (We were beyond honored—especially as it's one more step in bringing the menopause conversation into the national spotlight!)
For a few highlights, watch below. And for additional clips, check out the Tamron Hall Show on YouTube.
Episode Highlights
MENOPAUSE IS NOT JUST HOT FLASHES
"People think it's hot flashes, but in fact the NIH (National Institutes of Health) says there are nine symptoms of menopause. I've heard up to 40. So it's everything from hot flashes, night sweats, memory issues, bone loss, sexual wellness issues, depression. There are a lot of issues associated with this fluctuation of your hormones and the changes that occur in your body. And still many women only think it's, 'Oh, I'm having a hot flash,' and that’s it.” - Michelle Jacobs, Womaness Co-Founder
SYMPTOMS CAN START A DECADE BEFORE MENOPAUSE
"Technically, menopause starts the moment you have your last menstrual period—you don't know when that is—but it is confirmed after you've gone 12 full months with no period. But that process starting those post-menopausal years starts in the menopausal transition or perimenopause, and that starts for most women in their early 40s. So all these symptoms we associate with menopause actually start as early as a decade before you've had your last menstrual period." - Dr. Sharon Malone
"All these symptoms we associate with menopause actually start as early as a decade before you've had your last menstrual period." - Dr. Sharon Malone
MENOPAUSE DIFFERS FOR WOMEN OF COLOR
"Black women not only enter this menopause journey sooner, [but] their symptoms are more severe and last longer. Whereas we say the hot flashes and things we talk about usually last about six years on average; for Black women, it's 10 years.” - Dr. Sharon Malone
THIS CAN BE THE BEST TIME OF YOUR LIFE
“The fear is that people associate menopause with getting older. And there is ageism as we all know. But the fact is and the point of this whole show is that menopause affects women at all ages. Yes, there is an average age of 51, but it really affects all women. And it's not the end. It's not horrible. Women get through it. We have each other. We have a community and honestly, a lot of women tell us it's the best time of their life.” - Michelle Jacobs, Womaness Co-Founder
More For You
So What is Early Menopause (and Am I In It?)
Our Top Menopause Resources
Ask a Doctor: "How is menopause different for women of color?"
