Who is Katarina Wilk?

Well, I am a writer, a health & medical journalist who specializes in training, health and medicine. I have worked as editor-in-chief for over 10 years, but now I freelance as a writer and communicator. I’ve also furthered my education at the School of Health in Kristianstad as a health coach.

One and a half years ago I released the book Perimenopower: Your Essential Guide to the Change Before the Change. At the time it came out several other books hit the market and at last it felt like the taboo of openly talking about this matter had lifted. 

But the media coverage came and went quickly. When all promotional campaigns were over, everything went silent. Perhaps this is more the norm for sensitive topics but I was elated when Food Pharmacy had invited me to their podcast to continue the discussion and I am just as elated today that they have invited me back as a  guest writer.

Why is it so taboo to talk about menopause?

It is difficult to give a single reason. But if I have to try it, I would suggest aging as the culprit. We don’t want to age. We make every effort not to age. We inject botox, have plastic surgery, etc. All to prevent what naturally occurs in nature. Aging as a woman is difficult. All women in the world eventually come to the inevitable – to menopause. The time when you have not had a period of twelve months and are no longer fertile. I think menopause is such a charged topic because in a way many interpret it as that we are worn out. We can no longer do what we are here to do from an evolutionary perspective. Is it just as well then that we lie down and die as women actually did 100 years ago?

Obviously not!

When I was struck by strange symptoms and realized what was happening, I decided to write a book about my journey. In order to help others. There is a lot of confusion. When does menopause really start? It is well into the 50’s when our period disappears? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Symptoms may start already at 35+ in some cases. I even chose to exclude the word menopause in my book because I was afraid to exclude the younger women. Those who do not understand that their symptoms have to do with menopause. Those who think they are far too young.

Here on FP I will be explaining everything from a hormonal perspective. I will describe what’s happening in the latest research. How our view of menopause is similar around the world, what symptoms can arise and how they are often mistaken for depression and burnout and what lifestyle changes you can make to feel better. Plus, lots of good food. I want to help you realize that you already have a superpower just by being a woman. We bear children in our bodies and it is a miracle. I hope you will follow me on a journey through the hormonal world so that you can understand what is going on in your body when you come to that point. Because we all eventually do. And, we are in this together, as I usually say. You are not alone and you are not going crazy. Remember that.

This is a guest post. The opinions expressed are the writer’s own.