"Menopausal symptoms are a myth."

As a woman, healthcare provider, and entrepreneur, Catherine Martens founded Care for Women in 1997. On the other side of the conversation sits an open, enthusiastic, and energetic woman. Armed with a prepared list of questions, we are ready to craft a story together. But soon, we find ourselves captivated by her insights, and our carefully prepared questions quickly become obsolete. It turns out that not just our questions, but also the deeply ingrained views on menopause, may need a serious rethink.

“Before we dive into the questions, may I say something first?” After just half an hour of discussion, it’s clear that our preconceived notions could use some revision - and that Catherine, with all her enthusiasm and expertise, is eager to spread her vision to improve women’s understanding of their hormonal systems. “There is no such thing as menopausal symptoms. The symptoms that arise during menopause can also occur at other stages in a woman’s life. They are hormonal symptoms, triggered by hormonal shifts that happen during puberty, around menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.”

Okay - hormonal symptoms. Noted. But does this perspective also apply to mental health symptoms?

“Mental means psychological. Why separate them? Mental health issues arise from genetic, biological, and developmental factors - all processes that occur in the brain. But the brain is just another organ. Depression, mood swings, anxiety, and panic attacks often stem from imbalances in serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain. If an imbalance in serotonin is a physical cause, then why do we separate mental health issues from physical ones?”

Are we hearing that throughout all phases of a woman’s reproductive life - puberty, fertility and menopause - a wide range of hormone-related symptoms exist?


“Women are born with an incredibly complex hormonal system. This system is responsible for much more than just reproductive functions.” Catherine’s logic is so compelling that we become fully immersed in her perspective and expertise. “The mood swings you experience in puberty are not that different from those during pregnancy or menopause. We give them different names - teen angst, postpartum blues, menopausal symptoms -but they all stem from the same hormonal shifts. The same goes for hot flashes. Did you know that 35% of pregnant women experience hot flashes? Why do we call them something entirely different when they happen after 45?”

As this realization sinks in, we can’t help but rethink everything we thought we knew. Fertility, menstruation and menopause - these aren’t separate phases, but parts of the same continuum. We glance at our crumpled question sheet and give it one last try.

If menopausal symptoms don’t exist, how should we understand the physical and mental challenges women face during this phase? After all, menopause remains a major topic.

Catherine smiles knowingly, her eyes lighting up with passion for sharing knowledge. “Most women experience hormonal imbalances at some point in their lives, but they often don’t recognize them as such. Conditions like burnout, depression, chronic fatigue and stress are frequently misdiagnosed. The real issue? A lack of knowledge. The awareness that truly needs to grow is that fluctuating hormones can lead to symptoms at any stage of life. There are already over 100 documented hormonal symptoms - so chances are, you’ll experience at least a few. The good news? You don’t have to suffer through them. There are effective solutions.”

Failing to seek help, according to Catherine, is choosing the hard way. “Some women experience more severe symptoms than others. It’s unpleasant, yes, but it’s also completely manageable.” If you think hormones only affect your reproductive system, Catherine warns, you’re missing the bigger picture. “A hormonal imbalance impacts your entire endocrine system, including stress hormones, blood sugar regulation, thyroid function and digestion. That’s why the symptoms vary so widely.”

Catherine is clearly on a mission. The real issue isn’t breaking the taboo of menopause - it’s breaking the stigma surrounding women’s health. “Menopausal symptoms don’t exist. However, a hormonal imbalance can absolutely lead to physical symptoms.” And when someone suggests that menopausal symptoms are ‘all in your head,’ Catherine enthusiastically agrees. “That’s right! Many of these symptoms originate in the brain. And guess what? Your brain is an organ, just like your lungs, heart, liver and stomach.”

To bring some direction back to our conversation, we finally manage to pose one of our original questions: Why do so many women feel ‘caught off guard’ by menopause?

“Women often don’t recognize the early signs and assume they’re too young for menopause. Symptoms like brain fog, mood swings, poor sleep and joint pain are easily attributed to busy lifestyles rather than hormonal changes. Many women juggle careers, families, and social lives, so they associate these symptoms with stress rather than menopause. And since symptoms often start in the early 40s - while menstruation continues - women and even healthcare providers may dismiss the idea that menopause is beginning.”

With over 100 potential symptoms, misdiagnosis is common. “That’s why knowledge and specialized care are more critical than ever. We frequently see women misdiagnosed with burnout or depression and prescribed medication. After just two consultations with us, many realize that their symptoms were entirely hormone-related - and highly treatable.”

Mom in Balance specializes in training the changing female body and seamlessly adapts to hormonal and physical transformations. That’s why we developed MpowerNext, a program designed specifically to meet the unique fitness needs of women in this phase of life. With the right knowledge and the right training, women can take control of their hormonal health and feel stronger than ever.