Hear Her: Zoe Meunier on turning menopause from a whispered topic into a bigger conversation

Menopause may be a natural part of ageing, but conversations around it – such as libido, bladder health, and mood – have not always been natural or easy. Prevention Australia's Editor is changing that.

For years, menopause was something many women were expected to simply endure – often quietly.

Today, social media and growing public awareness have helped bring the topic into the open, but a new challenge has emerged: separating useful, evidence-based information from the endless stream of claims, quick fixes and "miracle" solutions online.

Zoe Meunier, Editor, Prevention Australia, has been at the forefront of changing that conversation. After seeing women repeatedly seek answers and reassurance around their experiences, she helped launch World Menopause Day in Australia to create a space for trusted information, honest questions and community.

As the initiative expands to Singapore and Hong Kong, Meunier speaks to HRO about what it takes to turn menopause from a whispered topic into an open, informed, and more compassionate conversation.

Q As Editor of Prevention Australia, you helped launch World Menopause Day in Australia and are a vocal advocate of women's health. What led to your decision that this had to become a bigger conversation?

For the Prevention Australia team, it really came from seeing the disconnect between how many women were experiencing menopause and how little they felt prepared for it. Through Prevention and out Thriving in Menopause podcast, we've been covering women's health for years, and we kept hearing the same story from readers, experts and friends alike: women were blindsided by symptoms, dismissed when they sought help, or simply didn't realise what was happening to them.

What struck me most was that these were capable, intelligent women who had spent decades looking after everyone else, yet they often felt confused and alone during one of the biggest health transitions of their lives.

As journalists, we're always asking ourselves whether we're covering the issues that genuinely matter to our audience. Menopause affects roughly half the population, yet for so long it remained something people whispered about rather than discussed openly. It deserved the same attention we give other major health topics.

Launching World Menopause Day in Australia felt like a natural extension of our mission at Prevention, in which we’re all about not just avoiding disease, but giving women the knowledge to live healthier, happier, longer lives. We wanted to create a space where women could hear from leading experts, ask the questions they might never ask in a doctor's appointment, and, perhaps most importantly, realise they're not alone. Information is powerful, but community is equally important.

Q Who did you find most relevant to reach out to take this forward: women experiencing menopause, clinicians, employers, partners, and families – or all of these groups?

The short answer is: all of them. Menopause doesn't happen in isolation. It affects women physically and emotionally, but it also influences relationships, workplaces, and families. If we only educate women, we're missing a huge part of the picture.

Clinicians are vital because women need access to evidence-based, up-to-date information and treatment options. Employers also have an important role to play. Many women are at the height of their careers during perimenopause and menopause, and greater understanding in the workplace can make an enormous difference to confidence, productivity and retention.

Partners and families matter too.

Sometimes simply understanding why someone is struggling with sleep, anxiety, or brain fog can replace frustration with empathy. The more people who understand menopause, the less stigma there is. That's how real change happens.

That being said, as a consumer-facing brand for women aged 35–60, it is women experiencing perimenopause and menopause who make up the vast majority of our World Menopause Day attendees and for whom the content of the day is ultimately designed. These are women actively seeking trusted information, practical support and the reassurance that their experiences are understood and shared by others.

Q There is a huge amount of menopause information online, but not all of it is reliable. As a journalist, what are the most common misconceptions or misleading messages you come across?

One of the biggest challenges today isn't a lack of information – it's knowing what to trust.

Social media has done a wonderful job of getting women talking about menopause, but it has also become a breeding ground for misinformation. I often see sweeping claims that one supplement, one diet or one "miracle" treatment will solve every symptom. The reality is far more nuanced. Every woman's experience is different, and there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution.

I also think menopause has become over-medicalised in some corners of the internet, while still being dismissed in others. On one hand, women are told they need dozens of expensive tests and supplements. On the other, they're still being told to simply "put up with it" because it's a natural part of ageing. Neither extreme is helpful.

As journalists, our responsibility is to cut through that noise by speaking with experts, reporting on high-quality evidence, and helping women understand both the benefits and the limitations of different approaches. Good journalism isn’t about telling women what to think – it’s about giving them the information they need to make informed decisions alongside their healthcare professionals.

Q What questions do readers or attendees most often have, but may feel embarrassed or unable to ask?

One thing I've learnt is that if one woman is quietly wondering something, thousands of others probably are too.

Many of the questions women hesitate to ask relate to topics that still carry stigma – sex, libido, vaginal dryness, bladder health and urinary leakage, mood changes, memory concerns, or whether they'll ever "feel like themselves" again.

There's also a lot of anxiety around hormone therapy. Women often ask, "Is it safe for me?", "Am I too late to start?", or "How do I know what's right for me?" They want balanced, evidence-based answers rather than sensational headlines.

Perhaps the biggest unspoken question, though, is simply: "Is this normal?"

There's enormous comfort in hearing an expert say, "Yes, many women experience this," and equally important, knowing when symptoms warrant further investigation. Those conversations can be incredibly reassuring.

Q Finally, what can attendees expect from World Menopause Day as we launch the conference in Singapore and Hong Kong this year?

I hope attendees leave feeling informed, empowered and most importantly, less alone.

Our aim has never been to overwhelm women with medical information. This event is about bringing together trusted experts, practical advice and honest conversations in an environment that's welcoming, engaging and genuinely enjoyable.

Women can expect to hear from leading experts, learn about the latest evidence around menopause care, ask questions in a supportive environment and connect with other women who are experiencing the same thing. But they'll also have the chance to step away from the demands of everyday life and spend a day investing in themselves.

So many women in this stage of life are busy caring for children, supporting ageing parents, building careers and juggling countless responsibilities. It's surprisingly rare that they carve out time for something that's entirely for them. That's something we really wanted to create with World Menopause Day – an occasion where women can laugh, learn, feel seen and put their own wellbeing first, without guilt.

One of the things I've loved most about our Australian events is the atmosphere. Yes, there are important conversations and evidence-based information, but there's also warmth, laughter and a wonderful sense of camaraderie. Women leave not only with greater knowledge and confidence to advocate for themselves, but often with new friendships and the reassuring realisation that they're part of a much bigger community.

As World Menopause Day expands into Singapore and Hong Kong, that's exactly what I hope we can continue to build – a space where menopause is no longer a taboo topic, but an important conversation about women's health, shared with curiosity, compassion and a healthy dose of fun.

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Menopause is something every woman will experience, yet many still feel unprepared, overwhelmed, or unsure where to find trusted information.

World Menopause Day – taking place in Singapore on 17 October and Hong Kong on 7 November, brings together leading medical experts and wellness professionals for an afternoon of practical, evidence-based advice on hormones, symptoms, nutrition, movement, mental wellbeing, sleep, sexual health, and healthy ageing.

Whether you're approaching menopause, experiencing it now, or simply want to invest in your long-term health, World Menopause Day is your opportunity to learn, connect, and leave feeling informed, empowered, and confident.

Find out more here.

If you are keen to attend, use our special discount codes – WMDSG15 for Singapore, and WMDHK15 for Hong Kong for 15% off your ticket price!

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Photo / Provided