Lauren A. Tetenbaum is the author of the new book Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause & Life's Next Period. She is a social worker and a former lawyer, and she lives in Westchester, New York.
Q: What inspired you to write Millennial Menopause?
A: As a women's mental health therapist and reproductive rights advocate, I know a lot about women's health. Yet as I approached my 40s, I realized I knew nothing about menopause.
I met Anne Fulenwider, co-founder of the women's health platform Alloy, at a networking event and was astounded by how passionate she and every other (older) woman in the room was about clarifying menopause myths and demanding better access to care.
I thought, someone really needs to be telling millennials
about this so we aren't caught off guard, so that we can get appropriate
treatment. And then I realized: that someone could be me!
Q: How did you research the book, and did you learn anything that especially
surprised you?
A: I interviewed four dozen women's health experts, including OB/GYNs, reproductive endocrinologists, neurologists, cardiologists, psychiatrists, professors, start-up founders, and other advocates. I also spoke with more than 120 everyday women about their experiences and questions.
I was surprised by how early symptoms of perimenopause can
start, by how little training doctors and other healthcare providers receive on
this topic, and by how it's possible to be proactive about your health now to
stay healthy later in life.
Q: What would you say are some of the most common perceptions and
misconceptions about menopause?
A: The main misconception I see is around hormone therapy, which is generally safe and effective for most women who do not have contraindications. This does not mean every woman should take hormone therapy but all women are at least owed a conversation about it. Unfortunately the misconceptions stemming from the 2002 WHI study persist, among different generations.
Another misconception around the menopause transition is that it does not begin until closer to 50; in reality, many women experience perimenopause symptoms beginning in their 30s.
And all women deserve information -- and yet, many healthcare providers continue to say things like "you're too young to think about menopause" which is really a disservice, and perpetuates the perception that menopause is an old lady's problem.
I would also add that there is nothing wrong with being an
old lady, and we need to improve ageism and sexism in medical care and our
culture in general!
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?
A: I hope readers feel empowered, connected, and ready for whatever may come their way during the menopause transition. Knowledge is power, and women must support each other even though each of our experiences with peri/menopause will be different.
I also hope that readers see it is possible to create big change, one small step at a time. The book gives advice on communicating about these issues with men, in the workplace, and more, and everyone must do their part to help women feel better and get what they need during this natural life phase.
I also hope -- and feel confident that -- readers will laugh
and have some fun while reading, since it's a very lighthearted book full of
millennial nostalgia!
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I've kept my day job(s) as a mom of two young kids and a
psychotherapist to women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, so I'm busy! Writing has
always been a creative outlet for me and a lifelong passion, so I hope to
continue to write articles and books on women's health. And maybe one day, a
novel!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I'll be visiting various cities over the next several months to speak about Millennial Menopause at events and conferences with other healthcare providers, women's health experts, and readers. Please come say hello! You can view the tour schedule here.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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