From struggle to strength: Xoli Madlala shares her menopause journey

To give the menopause a relatable face and voice, Xoli Madlala wrote and published The Perimenopausal Globetrotter, a book designed to educate women about this life stage and empower them to embrace it.

The book was published in September 2023 and launched on October 1, marking the start of World Menopause Awareness Month.

Madlala was motivated by the need to break the silence surrounding the menopause, particularly in Africa, where women often experience this transition in isolation or shame.

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“I hoped to normalise menopause and give it dignity. I wanted women to feel seen, informed and inspired to take ownership of their health journeys. My biggest wish was for a reader to exhale and think, ‘Finally, someone gets it’,” she said.

The menopause, medically defined as the permanent end of menstrual cycles after 12 consecutive months without a period, is often misunderstood.

Many associate it only with hot flashes or the cessation of periods, but Madlala stresses that it is a complex biological, emotional and psychological transition.

“Menopause is transformation, not deterioration. Perimenopause can stretch over years and affect mood, metabolism, memory and relationships long before the final period. It’s not sudden, and it doesn’t only happen to older women,” she explained.

The book highlights how menopause can impact relationships, energy levels, libido, confidence and emotional well-being.

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Madlala encourages open communication between partners, noting that understanding and support can strengthen intimacy during this stage of life.

Drawing on her personal experiences, Madlala candidly shares her journey, including the challenges of premature menopause and climacteric depression, which led her to seek medical help.

She combined lifestyle changes, therapy and mindfulness to navigate symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, and hot flashes.
Her approach emphasises that each woman’s experience is unique and valid.

In many cultures, menopause has long been taboo, with women expected to endure it in silence. Madlala’s book challenges this, offering an African perspective that blends storytelling with scientific research.

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She consulted medical professionals, reviewed global data, and incorporated African cultural contexts to make the book relatable and responsible.

“Menopause does not mean your best years are behind you. It can be your boldest chapter. At 47, postmenopausal, I am healthier, fitter, stronger, bolder, calmer, focused and unstoppable,” Madlala said.

The Perimenopausal Globetrotter covers a wide range of topics rarely addressed in other books, including menopause and HIV, menopause and spirituality, workplace considerations, and a chapter dedicated to men.

Madlala plans to revisit chapters cut from the final edition in a follow-up volume.

Through her book, Madlala aims to educate, empower, and inspire women to embrace the menopause as a transformative stage of life, breaking stigma and reshaping perceptions around ageing.