World Menopause Day – Oct. 18, 2026

World Menopause Day
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World Menopause Day sheds light on women’s health every October 18. This global observance aims to destigmatize menopause, encourage open conversations, and advance research into its diverse impacts. Take time to educate yourself, support affected women, and advocate for better healthcare resources.

Want to sponsor World Menopause Day? Learn how

Expected World Menopause Day Deals

While World Menopause Day isn’t typically a retail holiday, it inspires significant fundraising and awareness campaigns. Organizations like the International Menopause Society (IMS) and The Menopause Society lead global initiatives, often partnering with corporate sponsors for donation matching programs and educational events. Wellness brands such as Womaness and Bonafide Health may offer special bundles or discounts on products designed to alleviate symptoms, with a portion of proceeds often benefiting women’s health research. Telehealth platforms focusing on women’s health, like Evernow or Alloy Women’s Health, might offer free consultations or educational webinars. We encourage supporting these vital organizations directly through their official websites to further medical research and advocacy efforts.

Platform Guide for World Menopause Day

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #WorldMenopauseDay. Share professional insights or workplace support policies.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #WorldMenopauseDay. Join community groups to share experiences and resources.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #WorldMenopauseDay. Post infographics, personal stories, or tips for managing symptoms.

Social Media Tips for World Menopause Day

Individuals

Educate yourself and your loved ones about menopause. Share your own experiences or offer support to those navigating this life stage, helping to break the silence.

Creators

Develop educational content that debunks myths and provides accurate information about menopause. Interview experts or share personal journeys to foster empathy and understanding.

Brands

Implement menopause-friendly workplace policies, offer educational resources to employees, or partner with women's health organizations for awareness campaigns and fundraising efforts.

Organizations & Brands for World Menopause Day

  1. International Menopause Society (IMS)

    Founded in 1978, the IMS is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting research and education on all aspects of midlife health in women. It organizes World Menopause Day annually.

  2. The Menopause Society

    Formerly the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), this leading non-profit organization provides evidence-based information and resources for women and healthcare providers on menopause and healthy aging.

  3. GenM

    A UK-based collective of over 70 brands committed to supporting menopausal women. GenM aims to make menopause a positive and understood life stage by improving products, services, and workplace policies.

  4. Womaness

    Founded in 2020, Womaness is a commercial brand offering a range of innovative, plant-based skincare and wellness products specifically formulated to address common menopause symptoms and concerns.

  5. Bonafide Health

    Bonafide Health develops drug-free, hormone-free natural supplements designed to provide relief from various menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbances.

  6. Evernow

    Evernow is a telehealth platform focused on providing personalized, evidence-based menopause care. It connects women with menopause-trained clinicians for tailored treatment plans and ongoing support.

  7. AARP

    Founded in 1958, AARP is a non-profit organization advocating for the rights and well-being of older Americans. They provide extensive resources on women's health, including articles and guides on navigating menopause.

World Menopause Day Hero

Dr. Mary Jane Minkin

Dr. Mary Jane Minkin is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, and a clinical professor at Yale University School of Medicine. A leading expert in women's health, particularly menopause, she has authored numerous books and articles, advocating for better understanding and treatment of menopausal symptoms. Dr. Minkin's work emphasizes evidence-based approaches to helping women navigate this life stage with informed choices and improved quality of life, making her a crucial voice in menopause education and advocacy.

History of World Menopause Day

World Menopause Day was established in 1984 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Menopause Society (IMS) with the intention of spreading awareness about this condition that affects women as they age.

Menopause is a term used to describe the natural decline of a woman’s reproductive hormones, beginning between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body experiences its last menstrual cycle.

Common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and sleep disturbances. All of these symptoms can result in an increase in anxiety and depression. After menopause, women are more at risk of developing conditions like heart disease and osteoporosis.

Most treatments for menopause focus on symptomatic relief as it’s a normal part of aging, and, as such, is not a curable condition.

The condition has not been studied as much as it should be and is not discussed openly. Having a World Menopause Day was seen as a solution to these problems by encouraging conversation and research on menopause and its effects.

As people worldwide are living longer, more and more women are likely to undergo menopause. It’s important that we are prepared for the effects that might happen as a result of menopause so that we can live better, healthier lives.

World Menopause Day timeline

1978
The International Menopause Society is Born

The IMS is established by Rodney Baber during the second International Congress on Menopause in Jerusalem.

1984
World Menopause Day is Chosen

The WHO and the IMS choose October 18 as the date to raise awareness and support women undergoing menopause.

1989
North American Menopause Society is Founded

Fully self-funded, the NAMS, dedicated to understanding menopause, is established.

2020
October is Declared World Menopause Month

The IMS decides that since local societies couldn’t easily organize awareness-related activities on one day, the whole month would be dedicated to spreading awareness about menopause.

How Businesses Can Celebrate World Menopause Day

Local businesses can honor World Menopause Day by fostering an inclusive and understanding workplace culture. Offer educational workshops for employees on menopause awareness, or host a lunch-and-learn session with a local women’s health expert. Retailers could highlight products that support menopausal women, such as cooling sleepwear, natural supplements, or skincare, with a portion of sales donated to organizations like The Menopause Society. Cafes and wellness centers might host informal ‘menopause meetups’ to encourage open dialogue and community support, helping to destigmatize this natural life stage.

World Menopause Day FAQs

When is World Menopause Day?

World Menopause Day 2026 is observed on Sunday, October 18. This global observance brings crucial conversations about women’s health to the forefront.

How many women experience menopause?

Menopause affects approximately 1.3 billion women globally by 2025, with millions more entering perimenopause annually, impacting their health and daily lives.

What is the primary goal of World Menopause Day?

The day’s main goal is to raise global awareness about menopause, its symptoms, and the health challenges women face during this significant life transition.

Who founded World Menopause Day?

World Menopause Day was established by the International Menopause Society (IMS) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1999.

How To Observe World Menopause Day

  1. Share information from the IMS

    Consider sharing medical information freely available with the International Menopause Society with people who will undergo menopause.

  2. Set up a talk with healthcare providers

    Work with your community leaders to organize a talk about menopause by knowledgeable healthcare providers.

  3. Reach out to someone you know undergoing menopause

    If you know someone who is experiencing menopause, be patient and understanding, and ask them to share their experience.

5 Important Facts About Menopause You Should Know

  1. Women can experience menopause before age 40

    When a woman’s ovaries stop functioning normally before she reaches 40 years old, signifying early menopause, it is referred to as primary ovarian insufficiency.

  2. Menopause can increase the risk of diseases

    The changing hormonal levels at this time can leave the body vulnerable to heart disease and some cancers.

  3. Sleeplessness is the most common symptom

    Research indicates that 94.5% of women experiencing menopause reported being sleepless during this time.

  4. There is a transition period to menopause

    Perimenopause, when the body is preparing for menopause, can start up to 10 years before menopause.

  5. Women feel great after menopause

    After the postmenopausal phase, most women report feeling better than they have in years.

Why We Observe World Menopause Day

  1. Menopause is still a taboo subject

    People around the world are still unable to discuss menopause even though it is a completely natural aspect of women’s health.

  2. Menopause lasts a long time

    With perimenopause starting up to a year before menopause, the symptoms and discomfort of menopause can affect women for more than a decade.

  3. There isn’t sufficient medical research available

    It’s only lately that active medical research is being conducted on menopause and related symptoms.

World Menopause Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 October 18 Sunday
2027 October 18 Monday
2028 October 18 Wednesday
2029 October 18 Thursday
2030 October 18 Friday