World Menopause Day cracks open conversation on sexual wellbeing

VANCOUVER, Oct. 17, 2018 /CNW/ - World Menopause Day 2018 is raising awareness of sexual wellbeing for women, particularly after menopause (the twelve month anniversary of your last period.)

Addressing sexual health is necessary, according to Shirley Weir, founder of MenopauseChicks.com, in order for women to enjoy optimal physical & mental health, healthy relationships and quality of life.

Menopause Chicks connects women with information, professionals and other women via its private, online community. (CNW Group/Menopause Chicks)

Shirley Weir is the founder of MenopauseChicks.com and the author of a new book called MOKITA. Her goal is for all of us to stop thinking of perimenopause and menopause as synonyms for suffering, help women avoid the overwhelming task of sorting through all the myths and misconceptions, and to empower women with up-to-date information, relatable case studies and a promise that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. (CNW Group/Menopause Chicks)

Releasing on Amazon October 24: MOKITA (which means "elephant in the room") aims to empower women to navigate perimenopause with more confidence ease. Co-authored by 13 women's health professionals, it also enables women to get informed and build their own midlife health team. (CNW Group/Menopause Chicks)

Weir is calling on women and health care providers to discard old stereotypes associated with talking about sex and menopause, and instead she wants to empower women to get as informed as possible, ask for help, know they are not alone and understand there are evidence-based solutions available.

"During perimenopause (the phase of hormone fluctuation leading up to menopause which can begin in mid-to-late thirties) women will sometimes notice changes to libido and sexual desire," says Weir. "This is a common experience, but it isn't yet common knowledge."

Weir is the manager of a popular online community on Facebook that empowers women to navigate perimenopause and menopause with confidence and ease.

"After menopause, some women may continue to experience low libido and they might also experience vaginal dryness, pain with sex, incontinence or organ prolapse. The reason this is so important to address," says Weir, "is that many of these conditions will not get better with time or on their own."

Options available for women include pelvic floor physiotherapy, hormonal and non-hormonal treatments and practicing mindfulness.

The first step is often the most difficult, and that is talking about it. Weir wants women to have a safe place to ask questions, to put their own sexual health at the top of their to-do lists and to prioritize self-pleasure, orgasms and pelvic health in the same way they would prioritize other aspects of their midlife health. Because it is common for women not to mention sexual health to their family doctor unless the doctor asks first, Weir hopes that more conversations about women's midlife sexual health will help to eradicate any shame. The vagina is just as important as any other body part and health care professionals want to help.

About Menopause Chicks:
MenopauseChicks.com empowers women to navigate perimenopause and menopause with confidence and ease. Founder, Shirley Weir is on a mission to connect women to unbiased information, to midlife health professionals—and to each other, through her private online community. As a women's health advocate, Shirley is reframing the menopause conversation from something that has been traditionally viewed as negative, into a milestone worthy of celebration. Shirley, along with 13 women's health professionals, has a new book coming out on October 24 called MOKITA: How to Navigate Perimenopause with Confidence and Ease.

About World Menopause Day
World Menopause Day is held every year on the 18^th of October to raise awareness of women's midlife health.

Follow:
MenopauseChicks.com
MokitaLive.com/book
Facebook: /MenopauseChicks
Private Online Community: www.facebook.com/groups/MenopauseChicks
Twitter: @MenopauseChicks
Instagram: @MenopauseChicks

SOURCE Menopause Chicks

Shirley Weir, 604.817.1497, [email protected]