How hypnotherapy can overcome generational menopause beliefs

If you are reading this, you will be aware that menopause is a major life transition that brings significant physical and emotional changes. Many women experience symptoms such as hot flushes, brain fog, weight gain, anxiety, and insomnia. While some opt for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), others seek natural menopause relief. 

Hypnotherapy is an effective yet often overlooked solution that can help people manage menopause symptoms and embrace this new phase of life with confidence. Beyond addressing the physical symptoms, hypnotherapy provides a wraparound approach, reframing deep-rooted beliefs and negative connotations.

As a 48-year-old woman, I have started to notice the signs of perimenopause myself: joint pain, fatigue, and the most frustrating of all, brain fog. Trying to retain new information while starting a new job was particularly challenging. I’ve also found myself misplacing belongings, mixing up names, and feeling out of control in situations where I used to be highly organised. This personal experience has given me deep insight into the struggles many women face and fuels my passion for helping others through hypnotherapy.

Menopause affects every person differently, but common symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, night sweats, and mood swings. Beyond the physical symptoms, many women struggle with emotional challenges – anxiety, low mood, and even grief for lost fertility.

These feelings are often shaped by generational influences; for instance, how our mothers experienced menopause can shape our own expectations. The women in our lives - mothers, grandmothers, sisters, friends - play a powerful role in shaping how we perceive menopause, whether positively or negatively.

The process of hypnotherapy gives you the opportunity to unearth old, negative and limiting beliefs, like pulling up a stubborn weed at the roots. 

My mother went through menopause later in life, well into her fifties, and she always spoke about it as though it was a minor inconvenience rather than a major transition. Because of this, I had always assumed menopause was something I wouldn’t need to think about for years. However, my experience has been different. While my mother seemed to take it in stride, she has always been preoccupied with the physical effects of aging, something I now find myself hyper-aware of. I catch myself obsessing over wrinkles, changes in my body shape, and even comparing my age to celebrities and newsreaders.

It’s made me realise how much our perceptions of menopause are shaped by those who came before us – and how important it is to develop a healthier, more empowering mindset.

At the other end of the generational cycle, having a teenage daughter at the start of her menstrual journey has broadened my perspective. As I support her through the emotional rollercoaster of hormone fluctuations and monthly discomfort, I realise that menopause also brings a form of freedom. No longer having to deal with painful periods is a silver lining I try to focus on.

At the same time, watching my daughter reminds me of my younger self and sometimes triggers a sense of nostalgia for all the possibilities that once lay ahead. But this realisation has also motivated me to set a positive example for her. I want to show her that menopause doesn’t have to be something to dread; it can be a time of wisdom, confidence, and self-care.

The much-needed, more recent focus on menopause in the media is giving us all the opportunity to be open and confident about the natural process. We have an opportunity that our mothers didn’t in collectively taking control, speaking up and reframing our experiences. Our voices are shaping and making the way for future generations of women to feel empowered rather than speaking about menopause in hushed tones.

Reframing menopause: Shifting from negative to positive metaphors

Our perception of menopause is often shaped by the metaphors we use to describe it. Many people see it as “The broken clock,” implying that time has run out and fertility has ended. But what if we reframed this metaphor? Instead of seeing menopause as a clock that has stopped, we can view it as a reminder that time is precious. This realisation encourages us to make meaningful choices, embrace new opportunities, and focus on what truly matters.

Similarly, menopause is sometimes described as “The winter of life,” a season of stagnation and loss. But in many cultures, winter is a time of rest and preparation for renewal. By shifting our perspective, we can see menopause as “The second spring,” a time for new growth, self-discovery, and fresh possibilities.

A mindset shift: Reframing menopause as a new beginning

Instead of viewing menopause as a loss, hypnotherapy guides people to reframe it as a time for growth and self-discovery. Many find that this stage brings newfound freedom – no more monthly cycles, PMS, or pregnancy concerns.

Practicing self-care, whether through meditation, yoga, or hypnotherapy, allows women to embrace this transition with a sense of empowerment. The process of hypnotherapy gives you the opportunity to unearth old, negative and limiting beliefs, like pulling up a stubborn weed at the roots. In their place, we plant the seeds of new, positive beliefs that flower and grow stronger as we water and nurture them

Personalised and empathetic hypnotherapy can create real, lasting change. Reach out to a professional if you feel this is the approach you have been searching for to help you navigate the individual and rocky road of menopause.