- The women share experiences and explore ways of managing challenges associated with menopause.
Women aged 40 and above in Isiolo County are turning to physical exercise and peer support to manage the mental and physical challenges associated with menopause, while calling for greater openness about a stage of life they say remains misunderstood in many communities.
Through the Isiolo Women Mental Health and Fitness Network, established a year ago, the women meet every Monday evening for an hour of exercise and discussions on challenges they encounter at work and at home.
The initiative provides a platform for them to share experiences, support one another and explore ways of managing the changes associated with menopause.
The group marked World Menopause Day with a walk from the County Commissioner’s office grounds through Isiolo town to the Isiolo Catholic Cathedral grounds, where members held their regular fitness session and received guidance from a mental health specialist on maintaining their wellbeing.
The network’s chairperson, Racheal Njogu, said the initiative had helped members improve their health, strengthen relationships with family members and find better ways of handling personal and workplace challenges.
Njogu said the awareness walk was also intended to encourage more women in Isiolo and neighbouring areas to join the initiative and embrace healthier lifestyles.
The women noted that menopause-related changes can sometimes strain relationships with spouses, children, colleagues and other members of the community, particularly when the symptoms are misunderstood or dismissed.
They shared experiences of navigating these challenges and called on women to make regular physical activity and open conversations part of their daily lives.
They also urged families and communities to provide support rather than stigmatise women experiencing menopausal changes.
The group emphasised the need to improve public understanding of menopause, noting that some women struggle to maintain relationships at home and interact with colleagues at work when symptoms affect their mood, sleep and general wellbeing.
They said greater awareness could help reduce misunderstandings, improve productivity and foster healthier family relationships.
Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles and reproductive years. It commonly occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, although the timing varies.
The transition can bring symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, vaginal dryness, joint pain and muscle discomfort. The type, severity and duration of symptoms differ from one woman to another.
Despite its potential impact on wellbeing, menopause remains difficult to discuss openly in some families and communities, where cultural beliefs and misinformation may discourage women from seeking advice or medical care.
Njogu said women needed to feel comfortable speaking about menopause rather than treating it as a shameful subject.
She argued that greater awareness would help women understand changes in their bodies, recognise symptoms that require medical attention and seek appropriate support.
Healthcare providers can offer individualised advice on managing symptoms, including guidance on physical activity, nutrition and sleep, as well as medical treatment where appropriate.
Persistent pain or unusual health changes should also be assessed to determine whether they may be linked to other conditions.
Samuel Sirengo, a mental health specialist at Isiolo County Referral Hospital, underscored the importance of regular physical activity, particularly for people aged 40 and above, in supporting overall health and maintaining bone strength.
Sirengo encouraged women to adopt manageable exercises such as walking and jogging, while cautioning against strenuous activities that could cause injury if undertaken without appropriate preparation or guidance.
The women’s initiative highlights the role of community-based support in addressing health concerns that can otherwise remain unspoken.
Family members, employers and community leaders also have a part to play in creating environments where women can discuss menopause without embarrassment or discrimination.
World Menopause Day offers an opportunity to challenge misconceptions about ageing and women’s health while promoting informed conversations and access to appropriate healthcare.