Ep 25 | The M Factor - Shredding The Silence on Menopause with Denise Pines

Menopause has been silenced far too long and that is why my mission on Pleasure in the Pause is to raise awareness, advocate and normalize conversations around this life stage that every woman will experience. I'm thrilled to share insights from my recent conversation with Denise Pines, a true trailblazer in women's health and the driving force behind an exciting new documentary on menopause.

Denise wears many hats - award-winning filmmaker, health tech innovator, and passionate advocate for midlife wellness through her company Wise Pause Wellness. Her latest project, "The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause," which she co-executive produced aims to educate and empower the 1.1 billion women expected to reach menopause by 2025.

Breaking the Silence on a Universal Experience

Menopause is a life transition every woman will face, yet it remains shrouded in silence and stigma. Denise's documentary seeks to change that by shining a spotlight on the health risks, inequities, societal challenges, and workplace issues women encounter during this stage of life.

As Denise explained:

"We know that when men have low libido, they are given testosterone therapy. And then I found out how difficult it is for women to get a prescription for hormonal therapies such as testosterone or vaginal estrogen which can improve their sexual health and function. And I was like, What in the world?"

This stark contrast in how men's and women's health issues are addressed highlights the need for more open dialogue and research on menopause.

The Power of Storytelling to Drive Change

The M Factor features renowned doctors and real women sharing their experiences, putting faces and voices to an often invisible struggle. Denise emphasized the importance of letting women tell their stories authentically:

"It's really just being sensitive to the issue, knowing what all the issues are, recognizing that people may have breakdown moments, and allowing them to have those moments, letting them completely express themselves, not interfering."

By creating a safe space for honest conversation, the film aims to foster understanding and empathy around menopause.

Key Takeaways from The M Factor:

• The impact of hormonal changes on brain function and cognition

• The role of testosterone in women's health and libido

• Disparities in menopause experiences for women of color

• Workplace challenges and potential accommodations

• The need for better physician education on menopause

Advocating for Better Healthcare

One of the most striking revelations from our conversation was the lack of menopause education for doctors. Denise shared:

"Your typical OB-GYN is trained to deliver babies - they are not trained to look after women when they reach perimenopause or menopause. Menopause affects other systems in the body like the brain. There is a lot of the brain that they actually do not know about, and so our gynecologist is not the end all for us, even as we go through menopause."

This gap in medical training underscores the importance of women advocating for themselves and seeking out knowledgeable specialists when needed.

Watch The Trailer Here:

Taking Action: How You Can Get Involved

The M Factor premieres on PBS in the United States on October 17th, 2024, the day before World Menopause Day. Here's how you can support this groundbreaking project:

1. Watch and share: Organize viewing parties with friends and family

2. Spread the word: Use social media to raise awareness using #TheMFactorFilm

3. Advocate: Encourage your healthcare providers to watch and learn from the documentary

4. Join the movement: Visit themfactorfilm.com for resources and ways to get involved

A Call for Continued Conversation

Denise's work reminds us that menopause is not just a women's issue - it's a societal issue that impacts half the world's population. By breaking the silence and sharing our stories, we can drive meaningful change in healthcare, workplaces, and beyond.

As we wrapped up our conversation, Denise left us with a powerful perspective on finding joy and pleasure in everyday moments:

"We can find awe and pleasure every single day in our life. I just try to do that in my life, and that gives me the joy, and it gives me the energy to do the things that we've been talking about today."

Let's carry that spirit of joy and empowerment as we continue to shed light on menopause and support women through this important life transition.

About our guest: Denise Pines is co-founder of Women in the Room Productions, where she is committed to diversity in front of and behind the screen. Pines is a media pioneer, award-winning marketer, serial entrepreneur, and community health advocate. Pines is the immediate past president of the Medical Board of California and sits on the board of the Federation of State Medical Boards and the Osteopathic Medical Board of California.

CONNECT WITH DENISE PINES:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisepines

• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2372620

• The [M] Factor: https://themfactorfilm.com

• Follow The M Factor on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themfactorfilm/