The “M” Word

In June 2022, Jesse Schewchuk found herself in a dark place, overwhelmed by symptoms that left her feeling like she was losing her mind. “I struggled with memory loss, severe depression, anxiety, heart palpitations, and sleep deprivation. My skin became dry, I gained weight unexpectedly, and I felt like I didn’t recognize myself,” Schewchuk recalls. Despite being fit and healthy for most of her life, simple tasks had become increasingly difficult to perform, and her confidence was shattered. She began working with a naturopath who soon determined that Schewchuk was post-menopausal. The symptoms she was experiencing were caused by the rapid loss of estrogen that happens during this time in a woman’s life. The waitlist to access the menopause clinic was long and this further frustrated Schewchuk.

At the time, Schewchuk was a successful television producer. Her experience inspired her to create a two-season documentary series titled “Making the ‘M’ Word Mainstream” where her mission was to create a movement encouraging women to speak up about menopause. Her work revealed that many women struggled with peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause without understanding what was happening in their bodies. Women shared stories of broken marriages, career difficulties, and suicidal thoughts but were often dismissed by doctors when seeking help. This sparked a desire within her to raise awareness and demand better care for women.

“We think that menopause is something we need to start to think about in our 50s but that does a great disservice to women,” Schewchuk shares. “We need to be having these conversations decades earlier. We need to start listening to women.” Her efforts grew into a not-for-profit business, The Menopause Mission, and a persona, “The Menopause Muse.” Through public speaking, she supports women, letting them know they are not alone on this transformative journey. Her work is shifting the narrative, answering questions and creating a community for women who have felt ignored or misrepresented.

While all women will eventually go through menopause, Schewchuk assures that there are ways to make the transition easier. Sleep is a major disruptor, so prioritizing rest is crucial. She also advocates for strength training to alleviate symptoms and strengthen bones as we age. Adding more protein to your diet can also help. Finally, Schewchuk recommends finding a supportive community where you won’t be judged for sharing your journey. “When you enter a room full of women and realize, ‘This is normal? This happened to you, too?’—especially after feeling dismissed by medical professionals—it’s a validating experience that fosters self-compassion and learning.”

Schewchuk’s next goal is to increase her speaking engagements so she can reach as many women as possible. “We have to inform people what’s going on because this is impacting everyone,” she remarks. “It impacts women’s workplaces, families, partners, friends, children—everything. Women are the glue that holds everything together, so when the glue is falling apart, so does everything else.”