There’s something quietly extraordinary happening across the country. Women who once faced menopause in silence are now finding their voices, their confidence, and their communities. For many, that change began not in a doctor’s office, but online — in a group chat, a late-night scroll, or a live conversation just like this one.
Recently, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Jane James, the inspiring founder behind one of the UK’s most active menopause support groups. Her warmth, honesty and no-nonsense approach have guided thousands of women through one of life’s biggest transitions. Our conversation reminded me just how powerful community can be when women come together to talk openly about menopause.
Finding comfort in shared experience
Jane began her group more than a decade ago, when information and empathy around menopause were in short supply. “I started it because I was lonely,” she explained. “I’d had surgery at 44 and found myself on antidepressants and the mini pill. I was anxious, confused, and nobody was talking about what was happening to their bodies.”
At first, she invited a few local friends to join. What began as a small online chat soon grew into a vibrant, national community of thousands. Women from Hampshire to Scotland, Ireland to Spain, began joining, searching for answers, reassurance and that simple feeling of me too.
Today, her group has evolved into a trusted haven for evidence-based information and everyday support. Women discuss everything from patch placement and HRT dosages to relationship struggles and restless nights. Many members have been there since day one, still supporting others all these years later. “It’s really heartwarming,” Jane said. “It shows how much women want to help each other.”
The power of women talking
For Jane, conversation is everything. “When I first spoke to Amy about my symptoms,” she said, “that was the moment it clicked, I realised I wasn’t on my own.”
Those small moments of connection are life-changing. Menopause can still carry stigma, and too many women begin this journey feeling invisible or misunderstood. A chat with someone who understands can make all the difference.
“I’ve had women tell me they went to their GP ready to be prescribed antidepressants,” Jane shared, “but because they’d learned from the group, they were able to say — actually, I think I’m perimenopausal.”
It’s a reminder that information empowers. Knowing what’s happening to your body helps you advocate for yourself, ask the right questions, and make choices that suit you. That’s the quiet magic of community — it gives women back their confidence.
The need for better menopause education
Jane’s passion for raising awareness doesn’t stop online. For five years, she’s been invited to talk to second-year medical students at the University of Southampton. The shocking reality? In four years of training, students receive just one hour of menopause education.
“One hour,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s not enough. This is a natural part of every woman’s life, and yet we’re still not equipping doctors to support us properly.”
That lack of education filters down. Many women leave appointments without understanding how to use their HRT correctly — whether it’s the right dosage, patch placement, or when to apply progesterone. Others are told, “If you don’t get on with this HRT, you won’t get on with anything else.”
Groups like Jane’s are bridging that gap. They offer a safe place to learn what’s normal, what’s not, and when to ask for a second opinion. They also share reliable resources like The British Menopause Society and NHS menopause guidance, helping women make informed decisions with confidence.
When support goes deeper than symptoms
Beyond advice, the emotional side of menopause runs deep. Many women join Jane’s group not just for medical guidance, but for companionship. “We’ve had posts at two in the morning from women who can’t sleep, who feel completely alone,” Jane said. “Within minutes, there’ll be replies — women saying, I’m awake too. It’s okay. You’ll get through this.”
That’s the heart of it, knowing you’re not the only one awake at 3am, overthinking life, sweating through the sheets, wondering when you’ll feel like yourself again. Talking makes it lighter.
It’s why Jane introduced the option for anonymous posts. Some women want to ask about intimate topics - libido changes, vaginal dryness, or relationship strain, without worrying who might see. “You can tell it’s a relief for them,” she said. “They can ask the question and get the answers they need without embarrassment.”
That sense of safety is transformative. As Jane put it, “It’s about women holding each other up. No one judges. We’ve all been there.”
The reality of perimenopause
Like so many women, Jane didn’t recognise perimenopause when it began. “I thought menopause happened to women who looked like my grandmother,” she laughed. “I had no idea it could start in your forties.”
Her symptoms — anxiety, mood swings, fatigue — were chalked up to stress. “I lost my confidence completely,” she said. “I used to be so outgoing, and suddenly I wasn’t.”
Now, she helps others recognise those early signs. “You start connecting the dots — the sleeplessness, the brain fog, the irritability — and realise it’s hormonal. Once you know, you can take action.”
That’s why groups like hers matter so much. They provide real-world knowledge that many of us were never taught. The truth is, menopause isn’t something to fear. It’s a transition, not an ending — and with the right care and information, it can be a time of clarity, strength and renewal.
Lifestyle, laughter and letting go of guilt
One of the most refreshing things about Jane is her honesty. She admits to loving a glass of red wine, but she’s learned how much hydration matters. “I always have water on the table now,” she said. “I just feel better for it.”
We talked about how lifestyle choices — from reducing alcohol to eating well and getting outside — can soften symptoms. But she’s never preachy. “You have to live your life,” she said. “It’s about balance, not perfection.”
She also spoke about how menopause affects relationships. “I remember being snappy with my husband,” she said. “Sometimes I’d think, why did I just say that? Luckily he’s still here,” she laughed. “He’s well trained after 38 years.”
That mix of humour and humility is exactly what makes Jane’s group so special. It’s a space where women can be honest, about frustration, about libido, about forgetfulness - and still feel celebrated.
Why menopause support groups matter
Support groups like Jane’s aren’t a replacement for professional care, but they fill an emotional and practical gap. They give women the language, reassurance and solidarity they often don’t find elsewhere.
As Jane said, “Some women tell me they’ve had their HRT prescription sitting in the cupboard for three months because they’re scared to start. They just need that reassurance that it’s okay.”
Through shared stories, the mystery of menopause becomes less intimidating. Women learn what works for others, when to see a specialist, and how to talk to their GP. They also learn that there is no one-size-fits-all. Every woman’s journey is unique — and that’s exactly why we need these conversations.
The role of brands like Nudi in this conversation
At Nudi, we’ve always believed in making life that bit easier for patch wearers — and in doing so, helping women feel seen, supported and cared for. Many of the women in Jane’s group use HRT patches, and one topic that always sparks discussion is adhesive residue.
When patches leave sticky marks or irritate the skin, it can add frustration to what’s already a delicate daily routine. That’s exactly why Nudi Spray™ was created — a gentle, skin-kind formula designed to remove HRT patch glue without rubbing, harsh chemicals or wipes.
As Jane reminded viewers during our live, “You have to give the glue a few seconds for the bond to break between the skin and patch.” She’s right — patience pays off. A quick spray, a short wait, and the residue lifts cleanly, leaving your skin ready for the next patch.
It’s a small act of self-care that can make patch-change day feel calm and easy — a moment of kindness for your skin.
You can learn more or order directly from nudispray.com.
A movement built on empathy
What struck me most about our chat was how much hope Jane brings to the conversation. She’s living proof that one woman’s experience can become another woman’s lifeline.
The menopause conversation is no longer happening behind closed doors. It’s happening in Facebook groups, in hair salons, at brunch with friends, and across Instagram Lives. Each chat chips away at the silence that once surrounded this stage of life.
As Jane put it, “It’s not to be feared. It’s just knowledge — and knowledge makes it easier.”
Talking about menopause doesn’t make it worse. It makes it lighter. It makes it shared. And through community, we find not just information, but friendship, laughter, and the confidence to feel like ourselves again.
Further reading and resources
FACEBOOK GROUPS
MHDG Menopause & HRT DIscussion Group
Menopausing & Me
Instagram - janemhdg
Closing thought
Every woman deserves to feel informed, supported and empowered through her menopause journey. Whether that support comes from your GP, a trusted online group, or a quiet chat with a friend, remember, you are not alone.
Community changes everything. It transforms uncertainty into understanding, isolation into connection, and confusion into clarity. So keep talking. Keep asking. Keep reaching out.
Because every conversation you have helps another woman find her way.
