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| You may know Stacy London from TLC's What Not to Wear (which I used to watch religiously with my mother) or as the face of menopause care company State of Menopause, which launched in 2021. I'm so excited to feature this exclusive Q&A with someone who's doing such important work to raise worldwide menopause and perimenopause awareness. |
| We asked about the inspiration behind her career shift, and her personal experience navigating the throes of menopause. We also explored how you can advocate for yourself during this phase of life, and much more. Read her super candid nuggets of wisdom below. |
| This interview has been edited for length and clarity. |
| Q: | What inspired you to start State of Menopause? And how do you hope folks benefit from it? | |
| A: I was inspired to co-found State Of Menopause because 1) no one told me anything about menopause and I had no idea what was happening to me, and 2) I was a beta tester for the brand before I acquired it, and I saw the potential to truly help an overlooked, underserved community in need of education, products, and community. |
| No one wants to talk about this –– how hard it is, what shame and confusion it can instill. Those who are [experiencing] or are going to experience menopause shouldn't have to dread it, be confused by it, or [be] unprepared for it. |
| Menopause is hard, but it isn't hopeless. And the more we talk about it, and the more we innovate for it, the easier this transition for women who come after us is going to be. My greatest hope is that we give education and agency to people surrounding this very natural life transition, in order to make the best choices for themselves. |
| Q: | What are the biggest misconceptions people have about menopause? (For example, menopause isn't confined to 60-something women, nor does it always happen naturally — menopause can be surgically induced, such as after an oophorectomy.) | |
| A: The biggest MISconception? There's hardly a CONception of what menopause is to most people! I thought it was optional. I thought it happened to old ladies. I didn't know anything. |
| The biggest misconception is [it's unmanageable]. There are so many ways to manage all of the experiences you may have during menopause. You just have to have the resources and support to know what's out there and what is right for you. |
| Q: | If you're comfortable sharing, can you tell us a little bit about your menopause journey and the most important lesson you've learned along the way? | |
| A: As I've been quoted saying quite often is that my menopause experience was a tsunami of batshit crazy –– mostly because I didn't know what was happening. I had no education or preparation, and that caused the issues I experienced to feel far more foreign and scary than they needed to. |
| How was I to know that mood swings, hot flashes, dry skin, food allergies, digestion issues, joint pain, and muscle fatigue were all related to menopausal hormonal fluctuation and decrease? I needed someone to connect the dots for me. |
| Any one symptom on its own is easy to dismiss. A broader look at where we are age-wise and hormonally is necessary information. Not all doctors are very forthcoming, because they either don't know about it or don't feel comfortable discussing it. That is unacceptable. |
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| Q: | Are there any resources, products, or words of wisdom that helped you manage your menopause journey? If so, what were they? | |
| A: Well, obviously I am very proud of our products at State Of Menopause. Our cooling spray is a must. Our vaginal moisturizer we did in collaboration with In Your Pleasure is essential for less painful sex. Our face oil is literally the best oil for dry skin I have ever used. |
| We also recently launched haircare to address menopause's impact on hair hydration, nourishment, and strength. I've used lots of products over the years but nothing felt effective. I've tested these products for a year now to get the formula just right. |
| I also love Elektra Health's 21st Century Guide to Menopause. Evernow, Alloy, and Gennev are all great options for those looking into telehealth and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). And the North American Menopause Society has a guide of doctors who specialize in this specific stage of life. |
| No one really had wise words of wisdom during my menopause journey, unless you think "You'll get through it" is helpful? No. My wise words of wisdom are be proactive in understanding the experience of menopause before you get there. The more you know, the easier it will be for you to make smart health choices when you arrive here. |
| Q: | What advice do you have to help people advocate for themselves when seeking menopause treatment? | |
| A: Knowledge is power. While you may love your doctor, make sure your concerns are not being dismissed. |
As my friend Dr. Jen Gunter, author of The Menopause Manifesto, told me, make a list before your physician appointment of all the things that are going on with you: - How are you feeling physically? What is painful or irritating?
- How are you feeling emotionally?
- What are you feeling and do you know why?
- What's happening in your life?
- Are there problems with work? Money? Relationships?
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| Then put these concerns in order of priority. Because time with our doctors can be limited, start with the big things, and even if you only get to the first two, working on those two issues may help to resolve ones that are lower priorities on your list of concerns. |
| If you do have a longer appointment with your doctor, all that information gives your current life circumstances context which helps them heal YOU, the whole person, and not just the problem. |
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