By Karen and Erica

In our view, menopause brings a measure of freedom and agency. We regard our post-menopausal lives as different than before, but equally exciting, and ourselves as equally exciting, too. But that is a new idea. For many of us, menopause was presented as the painful and awkward signal of the end of our worth as women. Just as the onset of fertility was presented as the onset of our worth as women. Time to reject all of that thinking. Women are privileged to bear children, and for us, having children was one of the best ideas we ever had. But we have very full lives beyond children, and identities outside of motherhood. For which our children give thanks! So make sure you take care of yourself during menopause, as The Katz Institute advises, but be exhilarated. Your life is changing, not ending.