The College of Health Sciences (CHS), led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head, Professor Busisiwe Ncama, hosted a landmark Women’s Health seminar titled: ‘Midlife, Menopause and Beyond’ during Women’s month at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine. The event highlighted the complex realities of menopause – a natural life stage that remains under-discussed and often misunderstood.
Dr Sibongile Mashaphu, specialist psychiatrist, lecturer, and researcher in the Discipline of Psychiatry at UKZN, spoke candidly about the mental health challenges linked to menopause. With over 20 years of experience in psychiatry and women’s mental health, she mentioned the vulnerability of women in midlife.
“Around menopause, we see heightened rates of depression, anxiety, and what is commonly called ‘brain fog’,” Mashaphu explained. “Research shows that more than half of women between the ages of 40 and 55 report symptoms of anxiety. This is a period when women may be juggling failing marriages, financial difficulties, or caring for both aging parents and young adult children. These stressors, combined with biological changes, can severely impact mental wellbeing.”
She urged women to prioritise their own health, adding: “We must break the culture of self-sacrifice. Women live longer than men, yet the last years of life are often marked by poor health. Self-care – exercise, stress management, and regular medical check-ups – is not a luxury, it is survival.”
Dr Nompumelelo Ntshangase-Mpanza, an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Victoria Mxenge Hospital and honorary lecturer at UKZN, discussed the physical manifestations of menopause and the importance of awareness. “The average age of menopause is 51, but symptoms can begin years before in the perimenopause stage,” she said. “Women may experience hot flushes, depression and anxiety, insomnia, joint pain, vaginal dryness, and urinary incontinence, among others. These symptoms can be distressing, but they are not uniform. Every woman’s experience is unique, which is why management must be personalised.”
Ntshangase-Mpanza emphasised prevention and early detection. “We strongly encourage lifestyle modifications – healthy diets, exercise, and avoiding smoking and alcohol. Screening is vital. Cervical cancer tests, mammograms, and bone density scans should become part of routine care. Menopause is not an end but a transition, and with proper support, women can thrive.”
Dr Thev Gurayah, an occupational therapist and academic in UKZN’s Discipline of Occupational Therapy, shifted the conversation to the functional and occupational challenges of menopause. Drawing from her clinical and academic experience, she discussed how symptoms can disrupt personal and professional life.
“Brain fog, fatigue, and mood changes can affect everything – from cooking a meal to managing finances or performing at work,” she said. “Women report withdrawing socially, making mistakes at work due to poor concentration, and feeling demotivated in their personal hygiene or self-care routines. These are not small issues; they affect quality of life and productivity.”
Gurayah provided practical strategies: “Energy conservation is key – breaking tasks into smaller steps, scheduling rest, and using assistive devices when needed. It is equally important to invest time in hobbies, mindfulness, and self-care routines. Leisure and joy are not indulgences but vital tools to counter the irritability, stress, and low self-esteem that menopause may bring.”
The seminar was skilfully facilitated by Ms Maureen Mbense, a Durban-based clinical-consulting psychologist, who encouraged open dialogue between the panellists and the audience. “Too often, women feel isolated when experiencing menopausal symptoms. Events like these create solidarity, reminding us that we are not alone, and that support – both medical and emotional – is available,” she noted.
Mbense thanked the panellists and attendees for their openness and courage. “Menopause is not a taboo, nor should it be brushed aside as merely ‘a phase of life’. It has profound physical, mental, and social implications. This seminar is a step toward building a society where women feel empowered to seek help, demand supportive policies, and embrace midlife as a period of renewal,” she concluded.
Ms Roshanthni Subrayen from the University’s Disability Support Office thanked the speakers for their expert advice to ensure women navigate midlife and beyond with dignity, health, and resilience. She said: “We have heard that menopause does affect occupational performance in the workplace due to brain fog, insomnia, physical discomfort, hot flushes and extreme fatigue. Shouldn’t we look at human resource policies at UKZN which will accommodate the needs of female staff during this phase of their lives?”
