On Monday at the Chelsea Theater, women gathered for a special screening and discussion of "The (M) Factor", a film that confronts the neglected crisis of menopause. The event was hosted by Pause & Reset — an offshoot of the social wellness company Buddi Brand Inc.
During the discussion after the screening, Jamie Gallagher, founder of Peri & Pause — a menopause clinic — compared the significant drop in estrogen that occurs during menopause as going from living off six cups of coffee a day to zero.
“How are you supposed to say to your employer, ‘I’m not feeling well and I won’t for the next 5-7 years,’” said an interviewee in the film.
Hajira “Dr. Yas” Yasmin, an obstetrician and gynecologist, now owns Alray Gynecology, a women’s health intimacy center in Raleigh. Her practice is exclusive to menopause and sexual health for women, but Dr. Yas didn’t always specialize in these issues.
“25 years in OB-GYN, and we didn't talk about sexual health. We didn't talk about or learn about sexual pain, or vaginal pain, or vulvovaginal pain or pelvic pain” she said.
Yasmin said that the limited training in medical school and residency about menopause is likely the cause of the lack of resources available for women when they become infertile and begin experiencing major hormonal changes. She also said that many patients are afraid to bring symptoms of menopause up.
Oftentimes women’s pain, discomfort and low libido are ignored by their primary physicians and even gynecologists.
“If something is bothering you and someone says ‘it's in your head’ of course it is, everything is in my head. Hormones affect your brain,” said Dr. Sharon Malone, who is an OB-GYN, in the film.
Many audience members shook their heads and audibly showed their shock when learning that the National Institute of Health has only allocated 9 percent of its research funding to women’s health issues.