How to support someone going through the menopause (for partners, teens, friends, colleagues)

October 18, 2026|Dorothée Dinne| Time to read: 3 min

Mom, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't understand why you spent your days in bed. You were 47 when you went through menopause, I was 17. I didn't know. You didn't know either.

Today, we talk about it a little more. But knowing that menopause exists and that it will happen to every woman and every person who menstruates one day, and knowing what to do when someone close to you is going through it, are obviously not the same thing. I hope this article will serve that purpose.

Menopause in 3 lines

It generally occurs between 45 and 55, with an average around 51. It is generally preceded by a premenopause and perimenopause lasting 2 to 4 years, with:

irregular periods
hot flashes
disturbed sleep
fatigue or
irritability.

Symptoms vary enormously from one woman* to another: some have almost none, others have a completely disrupted daily life.

So what can we do... very practically

If it's your partner

Ask "what do you need?" rather than guessing. Don't take the fatigue, irritability or drop in desire personally. Read a bit on the subject so she doesn't have to explain everything. Offer to go with her to an appointment if she wants.

If it's your mother (and you are a teen or young adult)

Take on daily tasks without being asked. And avoid "you're in a bad mood". She isn't doing it on purpose.

If it's a friend

Listen without trying to fix things. Avoid "it's normal, it'll pass". Share your experience without saying "I did this and it worked", because it doesn't work for everyone.

If it's a colleague

Normalize the word "menopause" at work. An open window, a bit of flexibility, a break when needed: these are often small adjustments that make a real difference.

What to avoid saying

"You're exaggerating." "It's all in your head." "You should relax." "At your age, it's normal." Saying "I'm here for you" is often enough.

When to encourage her to see someone

If symptoms weigh on her daily life, her sleep or her mood, encouraging her to talk to a healthcare professional - specialized in women's health - can sometimes help to bear the day-to-day feelings of being overwhelmed.

Sources

Belgian Menopause Society (BMS) – menopausesociety.be The Belgian scientific association for menopause, and the reference for healthcare professionals. It published menopause recommendations in 2026.

Partenamut – partenamut.be Article "Préménopause et ménopause : reconnaître les symptômes" ["Premenopause and menopause: recognizing the symptoms"].

Beswic (Belgian expertise centre for well-being at work) – beswic.be Article "Briser le tabou de la ménopause au travail" ["Breaking the taboo of menopause at work"].

Picture : Antonio Verdín For Unsplash+

💡

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for specific health concerns, especially if symptoms are severe, sudden, or accompanied by fever/heavy bleeding.

Our commitment

Dorothée Dinne

Founder @ Fâmme

Founder of Fâmme and your friendly tech nerd turned women's health advocate. I've spent 15+ years as a product designer and art director, but my biggest breakthrough came from my own 30-year journey with medical dismissal and pain. Now I'm building Fâmme, a curated ecosystem connecting women to trustworthy health professionals and real support. Mother and Belgium-based believer that technology should serve empathy, not replace it.

Feel free to connect with me

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Professionals who could help you

These Fâmme professionals support the topics covered in this article.

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Agathe Caroulle

Osteopath MSc D.O

1410 Waterloo, 4217 Acosse

Chronic pelvic pain

About

Agathe Caroule an osteopath specialising in uro-gynaecology, chronic pelvic pain, perinatal care, and paediatrics. My approach is a holistic approach to the patient and is grounded in scientific evidence. Listening, empathy, and gentleness are also central to my practice. I work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, as I am convinced that a multidisciplinary approach is essential and can bring a great deal to patients.

Speaks

French

Type

Healthcare

Areas of practice

Endometriosis & adenomyosis PCOS Perimenopause Perinatal Health Postpartum Health Chronic Pelvic Pain Fertility Issues & ART Menopause

Supports

Painful intercourse Painful Periods Lower Back Pain Abdominal cramps Pelvic pain Irregular Cycles Pelvic Heaviness Pelvic Floor Tension Joint Pain Difficulty conceiving Absent Periods Heavy Periods

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Anouck Fiolle

Women's circle facilitator

A domicile (Brabant Wallon)

Fertility & Postpartum

About

Anouck Fiolle is a doula and facilitator of talking circles, supporting women through major life stages and transitions with gentleness, active listening, and compassion. Through emotional support, evidence-based information sharing, and safe spaces for dialogue, she helps women feel heard, supported, and reconnected to their inner power — from preconception to menopause. A true ally on her clients' journeys, she is also committed to informing them and referring them to the right professionals whenever the need arises. Drawing on her own life experience, Anouck has a particular sensitivity to fertility treatment paths, endometriosis, and the postpartum period. She also accompanies expectant mothers in honouring their motherhood through an intimate and personalised celebration: the MamaBlessing. Her approach is deeply inspired by sisterhood, respect for each woman's rhythm, and the importance of honouring her story.

Speaks

French

Type

Wellbeing

Areas of practice

Endometriosis & adenomyosis Fertility issues Menopause Perimenopause

Supports

Emotional support

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Aude Berger

Women's circle facilitator

1470 Genappe

Women well-being

About

Aude Berger is a menstrual wellness coach and cycle expert specialising in hormonal health and cyclical wellbeing. With a warm, non-judgmental approach, she supports women through conditions like PMS, painful periods, PCOS, and endometriosis, and through life transitions including postpartum, stopping contraception, and perimenopause. She offers individual care programs in person or online, as well as talking circles focused on perimenopause and the mother-daughter relationship.

Speaks

French

Type

Wellbeing

Areas of practice

PCOS Endometriosis & adenomyosis PMDD PMS Emotional support Menopause Perimenopause

Supports

Pelvic pain Abdominal cramps Heavy Periods Anxiety Fatigue Bloating Mood Swings Sleep Issues

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Camille Lycke

Pelvic floor physiotherapist

1050 Ixelles, 1000 Brussels

Chronic pelvic pain

About

Camille works with kindness and adapts every session to her patient's symptoms, history, and pace. Her practice combines manual therapy, individualised therapeutic exercises, and targeted pelvic floor work, performed externally and/or internally when indicated and always with informed consent. She also uses electrostimulation for pain relief or muscle support, and places therapeutic education at the heart of her approach, helping patients understand their pain and manage it more independently. She supports patients in returning to physical activity and, when needed, guides them through a gradual, comfortable return to intimacy.

Speaks

French · English

Type

Healthcare

Areas of practice

Endometriosis & adenomyosis Menopause Vulvodynia & Vaginismus Chronic Pelvic Pain Perinatal Health Pelvic floor dysfunction Pelvic Floor Tension Recurrent UTIs

Supports

Pelvic pain Painful Periods Bloating Abdominal cramps Vaginal discomfort Painful intercourse Pelvic Floor Tension Urinary Leaks Muscle Weakness & Loss Pelvic Heaviness

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Capucine Obadia

Clinical psychologist

1050 Ixelles, 1180 Uccle

Psychological support

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Speaks

French · English

Type

Healthcare

Areas of practice

Endometriosis & adenomyosis PCOS PMDD Menopause Perimenopause Sexual difficulties Fertility issues

Supports

Vaginal discomfort Low Libido Anxiety Mood Swings Sleep Issues Fatigue

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Caroline Chisogne

Osteopath MSc D.O

1030 Schaerbeek, 1040 Etterbeek

Perimenopause

About

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French · English

Type

Healthcare

Areas of practice

Endometriosis & adenomyosis PCOS Perimenopause Menopause PMS Perinatal Health Pelvic floor dysfunction Urinary Incontinence & Leaks

Supports

Lower Back Pain Pelvic pain Urinary Leaks Pelvic Heaviness Pelvic Floor Tension Bloating Joint Pain

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Cassandre Calvet

Osteopath MSc D.O

1180 Uccle

Chronic pelvic pain

About

Cassandre Calvet is an osteopath specialising in women's health, perinatal care, and paediatrics, with a particular focus on the uro-gynaecological sphere. She works with pelvic pain, gynaecological disorders, fertility, and the full arc of pregnancy and postpartum recovery. Her approach is holistic and deeply individualised: she takes the time to listen, explain, and build a care plan that fits each person's needs, rhythm, and goals. Consent and respect for boundaries are central to every consultation. When needed, she collaborates with other healthcare professionals to ensure a coherent, complementary pathway. With Cassandre, you can expect attentive care and a space to understand your body, without judgement.

Speaks

French · English

Type

Healthcare

Areas of practice

Endometriosis & adenomyosis Menopause Perinatal Health Postpartum Health Fertility Issues & ART Chronic Pelvic Pain Vulvodynia & Vaginismus Sexual Health Difficulties

Supports

Painful Periods Abdominal cramps Vaginal discomfort Joint Pain Heavy Periods Sleep Issues Bloating Painful intercourse Pelvic pain Pelvic Floor Tension Pelvic Heaviness Muscle Weakness & Loss Urinary Leaks Difficulty conceiving Lower Back Pain

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Clair Van Gorp

Fitness / movement coach

1000 Brussels

Perinatal health

About

Clair's approach is to customize the clients programming based on their specific healing/health needs and their specific goals. Her approach is to always understand what is important to them when it comes to their physical fitness recovery and goals and also to understand what is going on in their lives and that allows her to run the session to meet them where they are while simultaneously guiding them through their healing and ultimately their goals

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English

Type

Wellbeing

Areas of practice

Perimenopause Menopause Perinatal Health Postpartum Health Trying to conceive (TTC) Pelvic floor dysfunction Preventive & General Care

Supports

Lower Back Pain Pelvic pain Urinary Leaks Pelvic Floor Tension Muscle Weakness & Loss Bone Density Concerns Emotional Dysregulation Mood Swings

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Florence Bertulot

Nutritherapist, Yoga / Pilates instructor

1410 Waterloo, 1470 Genappe

Fertility & Postpartum

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Florence specializes in perinatal support and women's hormonal wellness, helping women understand their bodies and decode hormonal signals through individual consultations and group programs. Her approach combines nutrition and coaching to create lasting lifestyle changes. As a yoga teacher, she offers fertility yoga, with prenatal, postnatal, and mother & baby classes.

Speaks

French · English

Type

Wellbeing

Areas of practice

Fertility issues Perimenopause Menopause

Supports

Hot Flashes Mood Swings Abdominal cramps

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Laura van der Hoeden

Clinical psychologist, Sexologist, Hypnotherapist

1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre

Endometriosis & adenomyosis

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After years of experience at CHU Brugmann Hospital in the Pelvic-Perineal and Endometriosis Clinic, Laura specialized in chronic pelvic pain. Through her various specializations, she offers personalized support to help you through your journey. She provides individual consultations on the following topics: Endometriosis, Psychosomatic disorders, Chronic pain, Pregnancy, Trauma, Vaginismus, Dyspareunia

Speaks

French

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Healthcare

Areas of practice

Sexual difficulties Endometriosis & adenomyosis PMDD PCOS Perimenopause Menopause PTSD & Trauma

Supports

Anxiety Fatigue Sleep Issues Low Libido Vulvodynia & Vaginismus Vaginal discomfort

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Louise Bastin Duchamps Poncé

Symptothermal instructor, Midwife, Fertility practitioner

1000 Brussels

PMS (Premenstrual Syndrom)

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French · Dutch · English

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Healthcare

Areas of practice

Endometriosis & adenomyosis PCOS Perimenopause PMDD PMS Fertility issues Trying to conceive (TTC) Vaginal Infections Nutritional & Metabolic Health Preventive & General Care

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Painful Periods Heavy Periods Bloating Skin concerns Brain Fog Mood Swings Spotting Absent Periods

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Maïté Hamouchi

Naturopath

1180 Uccle, 1380 Lasne

Women well-being

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French

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Wellbeing

Areas of practice

Endometriosis & adenomyosis PCOS PMDD Fertility issues Menopause Perimenopause

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Abdominal cramps Hot Flashes Low Libido Pelvic pain Heavy Periods Skin concerns Anxiety Hair thinness & loss Mood Swings Sleep Issues Fatigue Bloating

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Margaux Crickx

Nutritherapist, Aromatherapist

1060 Saint-Gilles, 1180 Uccle

Nutritional and metabolic health

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Speaks

French

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Wellbeing

Areas of practice

Endometriosis & adenomyosis PCOS Perimenopause Menopause Burnout Inflammatory conditions Nutritional & Metabolic Health Immune and autoimmune health

Supports

Anxiety Fatigue Bloating Heavy Periods Irregular Cycles Spotting Absent Periods Hot Flashes Painful Periods Abdominal cramps Night sweats Mood Swings Sleep Issues Muscle Weakness & Loss Brain Fog

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Mélanie Dizet

Hormonal & cycle coach

1400 Nivelle

Endometriosis & adenomyosis

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Diagnosed with endometriosis, Mélanie spent a long time dealing with pain and a lack of understanding of my own body before embarking on a journey of deep reconnection. The real turning point for Mélanie was understanding the link between my emotions, her personal history, and her gynecological health. Today, she supports women in exploring this body-emotion approach to better understand their experiences. To move toward greater relief and autonomy.

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French

Type

Wellbeing

Areas of practice

Endometriosis & adenomyosis Perimenopause PCOS PMS Pelvic Organ Prolapse Vulvodynia & Vaginismus Pelvic floor dysfunction Urinary Incontinence & Leaks

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Pelvic pain Heavy Periods Painful Periods Vaginal discomfort Absent Periods Urinary Leaks

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Véra Larock

Kinesiologist

1060 Saint-Gilles, 1180 Uccle

PTSD & Trauma

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Speaks

French · English · Spanish

Type

Wellbeing

Areas of practice

Endometriosis & adenomyosis PCOS Perimenopause Menopause Recurrent UTIs Anxiety Disorders PTSD & Trauma Inflammatory conditions

Supports

Pelvic Floor Tension Pelvic pain Absent Periods Lower Back Pain Bloating Hot Flashes Anxiety Depressive Symptoms Difficulty conceiving Sleep Issues Emotional Dysregulation Brain Fog Fatigue Joint Pain Skin concerns

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Frequently asked questions

By listening to her, by taking over some of the daily load, and by encouraging her to see a healthcare professional if she feels overwhelmed.

Simply and without dramatizing, explaining that it is a natural hormonal transition but that can have an effect some aspects of the daily life.

Avoid phrases that minimize. "I'm here, tell me what would help" works better than any advice