Did you catch the Panorama investigation on Menopause? I watched it and realised I was gripping the cushion on my lap. It’s hard to put into words, but it left me with so many emotions. Sadness, frustration… Did you watch it? How did you feel about it? Hit reply and share if you want—I’d love to hear your thoughts.
What struck me most is the glaring gap in women’s healthcare especially when it comes to the Menopause Transition. Perimenopause can start in your forties, depending on your health history, with the average age of Menopause (a full 12 months without a period) around 51. For women in their 40s, scrolling for their symptoms can feel like a full-time job.
For women in their 40s, this time can be confusing and overwhelming. Confidence coaching for women in their 40s is more important than ever as we deal with the emotional, physical, and mental demands that come with perimenopause and menopause.
The investigation revealed what so many of us already know: women often feel unseen by the medical world. It’s not just about hot flashes or mood swings—there’s a whole spectrum of symptoms that often go ignored, dismissed, or misunderstood. And it can leave even the most confident among us feeling uncertain and lost. That’s why menopause support is so critical right now.
And now, the Gen M report, released just this week, echoes these feelings. It revealed that nearly half of women going through menopause feel ‘invisible,’ ‘lonely,’ and ‘irrelevant.’ Only 2% describe themselves as thriving. We need more than just perimenopause support—we need validation, empathy, and empowerment during this phase.
Honestly, it breaks my heart because I hear this from so many women every day, both personally and professionally through my work as a Confidence Coach for women in their 40s.
Being in our 40s is a pivotal moment that no one gave us the heads-up on.
Emotionally, it’s a time for reflection with big life questions starting to bubble to the surface like, ‘Where am I going?’ or ‘Is this it?’
Physically, there’s a life-changing moment when we enter the Perimenopause.
Mentally, there are plates spinning—caring for parents, caring for children, maintaining a relationship, dating again, going back to work, changing careers, and managing life at the top of the career ladder. Not to mention the outdated beliefs about women over 40—that we lose our value, become irrelevant, and disappear from society. While outdated, these thoughts can feel very real if they are in your belief playlist. This is why confidence coaching for women in midlife can be so transformative.
But here’s the thing… Every woman’s journey through menopause is different. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Some women sail through it, and that’s wonderful, while others struggle, feeling like their old self is slipping away. Neither experience is right or wrong. And it’s okay to feel however you’re feeling. Finding the right menopause support group or menopause transition help can make all the difference.
Some women choose HRT, while others don’t. Whatever your path, you deserve to be heard and supported.
When I work with women in their 40s, one of the most important things we focus on is creating space for you to feel seen, heard, and validated—because your story matters.
Menopause can’t be cured, as this isn’t a disease. It is a rite of passage. In other cultures, Menopause is celebrated and honored rather than met with fear and trepidation. Imagine if we had just a sprinkle of light of that here, how would we feel?
There’s no magic cure, no fairy dust solution. But there are evidence backed strategies such as Stress Management, Fitness, Nutrition, Mental Health that can help you navigate your way through your own version of Perimenopause.
Confidence coaching can offer you the support you need to make the changes to your lifestyle all whilst cheering you and holding you accountable. My role isn’t to prescribe (I am not trained in HRT and therefore it would be unethical to discuss it) but to support you with strategies that help you feel more grounded and empowered, whether that’s through nutrition, movement, mindset or simply holding space for you to share your story.
If you’re feeling confused or overwhelmed, I can’t recommend enough becoming meno-literate. Here are a few books that I’ve found powerful:
- Menopausing by Davina McCall & Dr. Naomi Potter
- The Menopause Brain by Dr. Lisa Mosconi
- The New Menopause by Dr. Mary Claire Harver
Knowledge is power, and I believe that the more we understand about what’s happening in our bodies, the more we can reclaim our confidence. The journey through perimenopause and menopause is unique to each of us, but that doesn’t mean we have to navigate it alone.
When I run events like Munich Pause, the energy in the room is incredible—women coming together, sharing stories, and realising they’re not alone. Wow! It’s a reminder that, despite how isolating this time can feel, there’s a community out there ready to lift you up.
So, as we mark Menopause Awareness Month, let’s keep talking, keep learning, and keep supporting one another. We will not become invisable and Menopause is not a trend it is rightly here to stay.
So following this week’s Panorama investigation, I hope these conversations continue and we are not set back a further 20 years. We need more research, more empathy, and more support—not just for us, but for the generations of women to come.
Sending you love and strength.
Jo Fiddy (MIBCC)is a Certified Body Confidence and Wellbeing Coach with the Institute for Body Confidence Coaching. A Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist with the GGS, as well as an Accredited EFT Practitioner with the EFTi and empower women in their 40’s to get their confidence back through her online Confidence Coaching www.riseandvibewithjo.com
