MANILA, Philippines — For the longest time, the subject of menopause has been taboo. Not to be talked about or discussed lengthily because it is a journey every woman must experience when she reaches a certain age.
Nobody knows when exactly it will come because there is an age range for it, and yet every woman dreads it because of the huge changes that it will do to her body and psyche. It is a very personal thing that must stay as private as possible.
But this mindset about perimenopause and menopause is changing — thanks to forward-thinking women, women’s health and wellness experts, and advocacy brands who are committed to break down barriers of ignorance and uncertainty and start shedding light on the subject so women can prepare for it better and manage it well.
For one, ProAge, a pioneering advocacy-based skincare and wellness brand in the Philippines, raised critical conversations about perimenopause and menopause at its recently held forum titled “Don’t Pause for Menopause.” Hosted by TV host Suzi Entrata-Abrera, the event gathered women’s wellness experts and advocates to celebrate women who refuse to pause for menopause and ultimately spark a change in the narrative.
Menopause is becoming a rising topic on a global scale of late, with prominent personalities like Halle Berry, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, and Naomi Watts normalizing the conversation on their personal experiences using their wide platforms. ProAge is extending the normalization of these discussions in the Philippines by leading the advocacy and raising awareness on menopause.
“A lot of brands discuss women empowerment, but not a lot of them talk about empowering women during the perimenopausal and menopausal phases of their lives. This topic has been a taboo, but... we aim to shatter the stigma surrounding such conversations and address the needs of women in this demographic,” said Claudine Viquiera, founder of ProAge, during the event.
She added: “Women usually experience uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and anxiety during perimenopause and menopause. It’s high time that we offer them solutions specifically catering to their experiences.”
Invited speakers busted myths and misconceptions about menopause and enlightened the attendees on other important truths about the topic. They also shed light on how it affects women’s overall health and how women can better handle their symptoms. Before the event ended, the speakers also answered common questions about menopause to encourage women to be more confident as they embrace the natural changes in their bodies during this stage.
Also present at the event were Dr. Annebelle D. Aherrera, OB gynecologist and feminine wellness advocate; and Michelle Aventajado, Executive Director of Best Buddies Philippines and a ProAge advocate.
As a company founded by a woman in menopause herself, the brand understands women’s pain, anxiety, and struggles at this stage of life. And so it has developed various product lines aimed at helping women manage their menopausal symptoms. Developed in Korea but made for Filipino skin, these products have been specifically formulated to address menopause concerns, such as skin dryness, sensitivity, breakouts, dullness, and pigmentations.
For instance, one of the company’s major products, Meno Gummies, is a natural and non-hormonal solution designed to provide relief from brain fog, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and insomnia caused by menopause.
The brand also offers a wide array of skincare products, including Be Gentle with Me Bakuchiol Serum, a milder and natural alternative to retinol derived from the leaves and seeds of the Babchi plant, which is often used in Chinese medicine. The serum brightens the skin and helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
The skincare range also carries the hydrating facial cleanser No Dirty Secrets, eye cream Eye See Yah, and the Holy Grail Cica Toner. All these were made with natural, vegan, cruelty- and paraben-free ingredients, making it safe and gentle for women’s skin. With its patented ingredients, ProAge products were clinically tested and found safe for cancer patients, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to safe, efficient, and mild formulations.
“Women’s skin goes through a series of changes during menopause, therefore, they should use products that can change with them. They need skincare that is adaptive, potent, and mild, promoting resilience, self-love, and confidence during midlife and beyond,” said Viquiera.