Gen X Isn’t Taking Perimenopause Lying Down

Amanda Lee
Jun 3
6 min read

Updated: 45 minutes ago

I'm a proud GenXer: the forgotten generation speaking up

I’m a proud Gen Xer. We’ve been called the forgotten generation, often overlooked in the workplace and in social movements. We were told to just get on with things. But when it comes to perimenopause, we’re not staying quiet.

Our mothers and grandmothers whispered about “The Change.” They didn’t really complain, but they were impacted - just as we all were with the ripple effect of something so significant. They didn’t question, but they were frightened from using HRT due to an ill conceived study that received way too much attention. They missed out on knowing that the mix of female hormones is not just for reproductive purposes, but impacts every cell in our body. That it is a mortality issue that not only impacts heart disease, bone density, brain health (Alzehimers in particular), joint and tendon health, hearing, eyesight, urinary health and the list goes on....

In a highly critical re-analysis of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study of 2002, the results of which prompted safety fears about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) significantly increasing the risk of breast cancer, it was concluded that the weight of evidence supports benefits over risks for use of HRT in women with severe symptoms of menopause or other conditions. Misreporting and Poorly Presented Results Shrouded Benefits of HRT

But we are doing things differently. We’re will not be dismissed, misdiagnosed, or ignored by a medical system that still doesn’t recognise how much this affects our lives. It's time the world understood better, and did better. And we are the right Generation to make it happen.

We learned independence early

Many of us in Gen X, born between 1965 and 1979, grew up during a time of cultural and economic transition. We were often left to our own devices, not because our parents didn’t care, but because they were trying to keep up with shifting social expectations and rising costs of living. With both parents working, we learned early how to be self-reliant. We came home to empty houses, made our own snacks, and dealt with boredom without screens or supervision.

We were raised during economic downturns, watched the rise of technology change the way we work, and saw the promises of equality not fully materialise. We came of age just as conversations around mental health, gender roles, and ageing bodies were starting to open up, but never far enough. Now, as we enter our late 40s and 50s, we’re insisting on change not just for ourselves, but for the generations that follow.

The pressure of being in the sandwich generation

Gen X is often called the sandwich generation because many of us are now supporting both ageing parents and children at the same time. We’re navigating midlife responsibilities on all fronts: financially, emotionally, physically and logistically. That pressure can be relentless. But it also explains why we’re refusing to stay silent about the impacts of perimenopause. We're tired of managing everything without recognition or adequate support. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly half (47%) of adults in their 40s and 50s have a parent aged 65 or older and are either raising a young child or financially supporting a grown child. This dual responsibility places significant emotional and financial strain on individuals, particularly those in Generation X.

That early independence we encountered shaped the way we operate now. We tend to be pragmatic, resourceful, and sceptical of authority. Many of us started working in our teens, balancing casual jobs with schoolwork and other responsibilities. We value efficiency because time never seemed abundant. And we developed a quiet kind of confidence — not loud or performative, just a steady sense that if something needed doing, we’d find a way to do it.

But now, with hormonal shifts interrupting our concentration, energy, mental clarity and basic identity, we’re saying enough. We don’t want to push through anymore. We want understanding and support, not silence or generic advice and we are doing it to help pave the way for our daughters and granddaughters.

“I didn’t even know what I was experiencing was perimenopause. I just thought I was failing at life.” – Blaze Coaching client

The system isn’t designed for us

Most GPs receive little to no training in menopause. Many women report being offered antidepressants or told to wait it out.² Some women report taking in their own research and advocating for themselves to only be dismissed and told - "Don't follow the latest fad or the latest trend." It's not a trend, and it's not a fad. It's not going away - it is the only way forward.

What these GPs aren't doing is staying informed and updated with the latest research. And what social media is doing is providing greater accessibility to education and advocates that have credible scientific data that proves the importance of replacing hormones (bioidentical) for all women through this period and beyond.

Refusing to provide research backed healthcare? ...Then you're causing harm and the ripple effect for the woman and her family and networks, is significant.

This is not good enough. Research from the Fawcett Society shows that nearly 1 in 10 women have left jobs due to menopause symptoms.³ That’s not just a personal issue – it’s an economic one.

“Women over 45 are the fastest-growing segment of the workforce. Ignoring their needs is short-sighted.” – Dr Heather Currie, gynaecologist and menopause researcher

This generation is driving the conversation forward

and reshaping the workplace

Gen X women are now leaders, mentors, and decision-makers. We’re pushing for:

Flexible work that adapts to real needs
Policies that include peri/menopause as a health category
Training for managers on supporting women through this transition, which for most women can be on average from 7 - 10 years
Building a broader view of Wellness beyond offering yoga and work lunches

Workplaces can no longer pretend it’s a private issue. It affects productivity, retention, wellbeing, policies, output and outcomes.

Gen X women in visible leadership roles are the ones running teams, mentoring younger staff, shaping workplace culture, seeking better support and showing empathy for their peers and colleagues. All that combines to give us influence. Instead of struggling in silence, many are hosting informal lunch sessions or joining global communities. We’re speaking to colleagues and creating resources ourselves. This shift isn’t loud or flashy, but it is coming and it's gaining momentum in a more deliberate and consistent way.

The men in our lives at work and at home

Let's also not forget about our male counterparts who are husbands, partners, fathers, managers (and may also work in HR!), that are also looking sideways and are genuinely asking: "What is happening to this person I love and care about?"

We are not our mothers, or like any other women that have been before us

Our mothers didn’t have the tools. They accepted what little they were told. But we are the bridge generation – between stigma and science, between silence and speech.

Our mothers didn’t have the language or resources. They coped silently, following in the footsteps of their mothers, and their grandmothers. We are rewriting the story. Gen X is asking different questions, expecting better answers, and supporting each other out loud.

This isn’t just personal. It’s generational. And we’re not done yet. We’re not waiting to be invited into the room. We’re building new ones, where women can speak honestly and receive support without judgement.

This isn’t rebellion. It’s responsibility. And we’re stepping into it, one conversation at a time.

Coaching through this stage is critical

At Blaze Coaching, I work with executive women facing sudden changes they didn’t expect. The brain fog, sleeplessness, and loss of confidence can shake even the most successful leaders. My role is to name what’s happening and help clients reclaim clarity.

Many come to coaching feeling disconnected from their usual clarity and drive. Instead of pushing through as they always have, we pause and take stock. The goal is to help them realign with their physical, emotional, mental rhythm and spiritual connection, without guilt or confusion.

Tracking how symptoms show up across the day

We look closely at daily patterns. Some clients notice a surge of anxiety in the morning, while others describe late-night restlessness that throws off their next day. By observing when discomfort peaks, we begin to uncover what the body is trying to communicate. From there, we build in micro-adjustments that can offer relief, small shifts in movement, nourishment, rest or focus.

Reviewing current workloads and stress points

Together, we examine what’s genuinely manageable and what’s quietly eroding their resilience. It’s not always about doing less, sometimes it’s about doing things differently. A client might restructure their calendar to include strategic pauses or renegotiate timelines to reflect their current bandwidth. This is not indulgence. It’s strategy.

Naming internalised beliefs about ageing or worth

One of the deeper pieces of work is challenging the hidden scripts many women carry. For years, they’ve been told to be high-performing and low-maintenance. So when things shift, they often assume it's their personal failure. In coaching, we gently name those beliefs and decide whether they still deserve space. Often, the act of acknowledging them out loud brings immediate relief.