Reframing Self-Care During Menopause: Beyond Capitalism, Towards Collective Care
Menopause is often portrayed as an intensely private journey, one in which an individual must navigate a host of physical, mental, and emotional changes alone. This view has been shaped largely by a capitalist approach that promotes individualism and the consumption of products and services to "manage" or "fix" menopausal symptoms. From hormone therapies and supplements to the booming wellness industry selling anti-ageing creams and sleep aids, the mainstream narrative implies that those going through menopause must simply spend their way to comfort and relief.
This consumer-centric approach to menopause neglects the communal aspects of health and well-being and fails to address the social determinants that significantly impact this life stage. The capitalist model frames menopause as a problem to be fixed rather than a natural transition that can be embraced with support. Reimagining self-care through a lens of collective care, mutual aid, and community solidarity offers a more inclusive, empowering, and progressive perspective—one that validates menopausal experiences as shared human realities rather than private struggles.
The Individualised Burden of Capitalist Self-Care
A Culture of Individualism and Commodification
The capitalist model of self-care during menopause fosters a culture of individualism. This model tells us that well-being depends on the individual consumer and their ability to access products that alleviate symptoms. The burden is placed solely on the individual—if you are struggling, the solution is seen as a personal responsibility, usually involving buying some product or service that claims to help.
This hyper-individualisation creates a culture of shame and inadequacy. If a person finds menopause overwhelming, if they cannot afford the supplements or serums, or if their symptoms interfere with daily life, the message is often that they have failed. This is compounded by the media portrayal of menopause as a purely negative experience that must be mitigated or hidden.
The commodification of menopause goes beyond physical symptoms. The entire concept of ageing and the visibility of menopausal people in society has been shaped by ageist and sexist ideologies that capitalise on feelings of inadequacy. The pressure to remain youthful and productive adds an immense burden to those already navigating complex physiological changes.
Exclusion Through Financial Barriers
Menopause products—from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to wellness supplements—often come with a high price tag, which places them out of reach for many. This emphasis on commercial products for managing menopause inherently privileges those with financial means, thereby excluding many from adequate support. When society equates self-care with what can be bought, it excludes those who cannot afford these solutions, creating further health disparities.
The Collective Care Model: An Inclusive Alternative
Shifting towards a model of collective care offers an antidote to the isolation and inequities promoted by capitalist self-care. Collective care emphasises mutual aid, shared resources, and communal support, challenging the idea that menopausal well-being must be pursued individually and through personal financial capacity.
Collective Care as Community Support
1. Community as a Source of Strength and Shared Wisdom
Historically, menopause has been understood as a communal experience in many cultures. In Indigenous and non-Western societies, this life stage is often celebrated as a time of increased wisdom, and menopausal individuals are respected for their experience. The elders of the community are considered knowledge keepers, guiding others through this stage with traditional wisdom, shared stories, and practical advice.
The return to community care and shared wisdom can significantly alter the menopausal experience for those living in cultures shaped by individualistic capitalism. Creating spaces where individuals can talk openly about menopause—whether through in-person gatherings, online groups, or community forums—can foster a sense of belonging. This communal environment helps normalise the physical and emotional changes that accompany menopause and provides the emotional support that the mainstream narrative often lacks.
Case Study: Community Menopause Circles
An emerging movement in many communities is the establishment of menopause circles—safe spaces where individuals can meet to discuss their experiences openly. These circles provide the opportunity for peer support, allowing participants to share coping strategies, cultural practices, and provide empathy. The role of storytelling within these circles cannot be understated—it is an essential way of de-pathologising menopause and reclaiming it as a shared, natural life process.
2. Mutual Aid and Practical Support
Beyond emotional and social support, collective care during menopause can also be tangible and practical. Mutual aid is a model that emphasises community members supporting each other through shared resources and collective action.
During menopause, mutual aid might include practical actions such as:
Sharing Remedies and Resources: Herbal remedies, essential oils, or nutritional supplements can be shared among community members to ensure that everyone has access to potential relief, irrespective of their financial situation.
Collective Meals and Childcare: Preparing meals collectively or providing childcare can help ease the burden on those experiencing fatigue or energy loss due to menopause.
Menopause Allies: Allies, such as family members or friends, can provide support in various aspects of daily life. For instance, assisting with household chores or simply providing a listening ear can make a significant difference in how a person manages their symptoms.
Mutual Aid in Action: A Practical Example
In neighbourhoods or online communities, individuals can set up networks where people volunteer to share their time or resources. For example, a neighbour could offer to run errands on challenging days, or a family member might assist with cooking meals when symptoms become overwhelming. This reframing positions menopause not as a solitary struggle but as a community-shared experience where others pitch in to alleviate the burden.
Advocating for Systemic Change
1. Workplace Advocacy and Systemic Support
Workplace environments are often ill-equipped to accommodate the needs of those going through menopause. The capitalist emphasis on productivity leaves little room for understanding the challenges that come with hormonal changes, fluctuating energy levels, or emotional distress. Collective care includes collective advocacy—challenging employers to create supportive environments that acknowledge and respect the needs of menopausal individuals.
Such advocacy can push for:
Flexible Working Hours: Allowing individuals the flexibility to work during hours when they feel their best, or to work from home when necessary, can alleviate some of the pressures faced during menopause.
Paid Health Leave: Recognising that menopause can be a significant health transition and providing paid leave for symptom management can help ensure that individuals do not have to choose between their health and their job.
Restorative Workspaces: Creating quiet or restorative spaces within workplaces can provide a much-needed reprieve for those experiencing hot flushes, fatigue, or sensory overload.
Collective advocacy shifts the burden away from individuals having to "deal with it" on their own, positioning menopausal well-being as a collective workplace responsibility. This is especially important in challenging the capitalist notion that productivity must be prioritised at the expense of health.
2. Health Policy and Access to Care
Access to menopausal healthcare is uneven across different populations. Collective action is required to ensure that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic background, has access to the information and medical care they need. This could mean advocating for free or affordable HRT, providing educational programmes for healthcare providers, or campaigning for inclusive health education that addresses the needs of transgender and non-binary individuals experiencing menopause.
Decolonising Menopausal Self-Care
1. Valuing Diverse Cultural Practices
Decolonising self-care means looking beyond Western, biomedical approaches to understand and value the diverse cultural practices that help people navigate menopause. Many Indigenous and traditional societies view menopause holistically, encompassing the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of health.
For instance:
Herbal Remedies: Traditional herbs have been used in many cultures to support the body during menopause. Reclaiming these remedies as part of collective care challenges the dominant, pharmaceutical-driven narrative that positions Western medicine as the only solution.
Rituals and Ceremonies: Some cultures include menopause as part of communal ceremonies, celebrating the transition and recognising the individual’s new role within the community. These rituals offer emotional and spiritual affirmation that goes beyond symptom management.
It is crucial, however, to approach these practices with respect and awareness. Cultural appropriation—a phenomenon often linked with capitalist wellness industries—must be avoided. Instead, engaging with and supporting the communities that hold this knowledge can help preserve their traditions and contribute to a decolonised understanding of menopause.
2. Challenging Colonial Legacies in Healthcare
Colonial legacies have significantly influenced global healthcare systems, often marginalising non-Western approaches to menopause and excluding people of colour from research. The result is a healthcare model that inadequately addresses the needs of those outside the demographic of cisgender, affluent white women.
Decolonising menopause means challenging these biases and advocating for more inclusive research and healthcare policies. It also means acknowledging that many menopausal symptoms are not purely biological but are influenced by social determinants such as stress, discrimination, and lack of access to care—factors that disproportionately affect marginalised communities.
Towards a Radical Reimagining of Menopausal Care
The capitalist narrative around menopause positions it as a problem to be fixed—preferably by spending money on products and treatments. Reframing menopause through the lens of collective care offers a radical alternative that emphasises support, empathy, and mutual aid. This approach challenges the notion that self-care must be pursued in isolation and instead positions it within the context of community and shared humanity.
Collective Care as Resistance
Choosing collective care is an act of resistance. It pushes back against the isolation that capitalism fosters, and it reclaims menopause as a shared journey rather than a solitary struggle. It acknowledges the value of each individual’s experience and recognises the power of community support in fostering well-being.
In this reframing, menopause is not something to be endured in silence or managed through expensive products. It is a natural transition that should be met with support, respect, and solidarity from our communities. By building networks of mutual aid, advocating for systemic change,