Menopause Is Bullshit!
Tell me about it!
Menopause Is Bullshit is a project to collect and share the lived realities of menopause - to create a field guide of notes and illustrations for anyone going through it, showing both the diversity of our individual experiences, and the similarities in our collective experience.
Menopause is discussed much more than it used to be, yet many people still encounter symptoms, changes, and experiences that nobody warned them about. I'm collecting observations about the things that leaflets, websites, and sometimes even doctors, fail to mention.
I'm not looking for polished stories, advice, or inspirational messages. I'm interested in specific observations, moments, surprises, frustrations, practical knowledge, bodily oddities, and things that made you think:
"I wish someone had told me that."
One sentence is enough. The best submissions often describe a single moment. Individually, these observations may seem small. Together, they help map a territory that remains surprisingly poorly described.
The thing that matters is that your observation is specific and comes from your own experience.
Below are some examples from my own menopause field notes.
Some guidelines on what I'm looking for:
- You don't need to tell your whole menopause story.
- One specific observation is more useful than a general summary.
- Tiny moments are welcome.
- You don't need to be funny, dramatic, inspiring, or clever.
- Things that seemed strange, confusing, embarrassing, frustrating, or ridiculous are often the most helpful.
- If it sounds too strange to be menopause, submit it anyway.
- Please write from your own experience rather than something you've read or heard elsewhere.
- Anonymous submissions are welcome.
- You are welcome to share more than one observation
- Feel free to submit your observations in your preferred language, I'll use both the original words and an English translation
- Please avoid naming specific people, workplaces, healthcare professionals, or organisations
- This is a graphic medicine project, not a place for medical advice, if you are unsure of your experience, please consult your doctor.
- Contributions may be edited for spelling and clarity.
This project combines original submissions, personal experiences, and observations inspired by publicly shared discussions about menopause. Where an illustration is based on a public post, the originating account is credited whenever possible.