Wies: “Gender reveal party? Oh no, I’m throwing a menopause party.”

I thought it couldn’t get any more bizarre when I came across an article in the American HuffPost about menopause parties. Apparently, they’re really gaining traction. “It’s important,” the experts in the article explain, “because we shouldn’t retreat as though we’ve lost our value. Instead, we should show that menopause is simply a natural part of ageing. After all, we still have 30 to 40 per cent of our lives ahead of us.”

Menopause marks your final period. You can only be certain once a year has passed without menstruation. That’s when it’s time to celebrate. And it doesn’t have to be on a specific day or week. “It signifies the start of an entirely new chapter in life, one that can bring greater resilience, self-confidence, and wisdom,” psychotherapist Helen Bennett explains in the article.

Just as I’m thinking, “What resilience and wisdom? Isn’t menopause just dreadful? Surely not something to celebrate,” I read that menopause parties also serve another purpose. Namely, to share tips and information about things like hormone therapy, workplace adjustments, helpful resources, and managing symptoms.

Bennett adds: “The parties also bring a sense of lightness to the subject. It makes the whole topic a bit easier to talk about.”

That part I can get on board with. I can already imagine saying, “Hey love, I won’t be home tonight, I’m off to Juliette’s menopause party.” Delightful. And then everyone will know that Juliette’s decline has begun. Oh no, wait—it’s not a decline—it’s the start of a new phase.

So, alongside divorce parties, gender reveal parties, and baby showers, we now have menopause parties as well. I think I’ll need a moment to get used to the idea. It also reminds me of an old episode of the Stratemakeropzeeshow, where a little princess got her first period, and there was a grand celebration across the kingdom. “Hail to the Menstruaris!” they shouted. I thought it was brilliant.

Anyway, when it comes to parties, I’m not one to say no. So feel free to invite me to your menopause party. We’ll make it a proper knees-up. Including a menopause conga line.

P.S. You can find all sorts of ideas and accessories for menopause parties online.

Wies Verbeek (58) is a journalist, founder of the website BLOW.nl, and author of the book ’n Beetje Leuk Ouder Worden, 101 verrassende en bewezen tips. And she’s currently in the midst of menopause.