🚫 Menowashing: What It Is—and How to Protect Yourself

Menopause is finally getting the attention it deserves.

Celebrities are speaking up. Ads are showing hot flashes. Companies are racing to launch products just for us.

Sounds great, right?

Well… yes and no.

Because along with this much-needed spotlight comes something sneakier:

Menowashing.

💭 What

Is

Menowashing?

Menowashing is when companies slap the word “menopause” on their products—whether or not those products actually help with menopause symptoms. Think fancy face creams, pricey supplements, and powders promising hormone balance, but without solid science to back them up.

It’s like greenwashing—but for midlife women.

It plays on a powerful truth:

We just want to feel like ourselves again.

And companies know that.

🚫 Why Is It Harmful?

Because it:

• 🎯 Preys on vulnerability — Many of us are navigating confusing symptoms with little support. It’s easy to fall for promises.

• 💸 Wastes money — Products can be expensive, and most aren’t regulated or backed by research.

• 🧪 Distracts from what does work — Like evidence-based nutrition, strength training, sleep, and medical guidance (including hormone therapy for those who choose it).

⏪ A Quick Look Back: The Study That Set Us Back

In 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) released results from a major study on hormone therapy. The headlines were terrifying:

“HRT increases breast cancer and heart disease risk.”

What followed?

• Doctors stopped prescribing hormone therapy.

• Women tossed their patches and pills in the trash.

• And a generation was left to suffer in silence.

What many didn’t see were the clarifications that came later:

• The risks were overgeneralized and didn’t apply to all age groups.

• The study used one type of hormone therapy—not the bioidentical or transdermal options commonly used today.

• For women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits often outweigh the risks.

But the damage was done. And with HRT off the table for many, it created space for the “menopause product” boom—some helpful, many not.

🧠 Let’s Be Clear: Hormone Therapy Isn’t for Everyone

While hormone therapy can be life-changing for some women, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s not appropriate for everyone—and that’s okay.

I’m simply grateful the option is back on the table, and that more women can now make informed decisions with supportive, knowledgeable providers.

🔍 Common Signs of Menowashing

Watch out for:

• ❌ Buzzwords like “natural hormone balancer” with no clinical evidence

• ❌ Products claiming to “cure” menopause

• ❌ Vague ingredients lists (or “proprietary blends” you can’t verify)

• ❌ Celebrity-endorsed supplements with no peer-reviewed studies

• ❌ Claims that one product solves all your symptoms

✅ What Actually Works?

Menopause is complex, and no single pill or powder is a magic fix. But here’s what research supports:

• Strength training – Boosts metabolism, mood, and bone health

• Balanced nutrition – Especially protein, fiber, and whole foods

• Stress management – Think breathwork, meditation, and movement

• Sleep hygiene – Rest is not optional in midlife wellness

• Professional support – Menopause-savvy coaches and informed providers

• Hormone therapy – For those who are good candidates and choose it

At ReKindle with Kim, I focus on tools that are safe, sustainable, and backed by science—not marketing hype.

💬 Final Thoughts: Stay Empowered, Not Exploited

We deserve better than empty promises in a pretty package.

So the next time you see a “menopause miracle” on the shelf or in your Instagram feed, pause and ask:

🔍 Does this actually support what I need—or just target how I feel?

You are not broken.

You don’t need fixing.

But you do deserve real support.

🔗 Ready to Cut Through the Noise?

Let’s build a plan that works for your body, your season of life, and your goals—without the gimmicks.

📩 Book your free 1:1 consultation

📱 Or DM me on Instagram @rekindlewithkim