Let’s get one thing straight: social media is 90% fiction. When it comes to menopause, you’d better believe it’s no different. There’s a toxic myth circulating on every platform—the idea that there’s a “perfect” way to handle menopause. I’m here to tell you it’s total bullshit.
The Fantasy of Perfection
Whether it’s TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or the endless parade of health blogs, there’s always someone shoving advice down your throat. They promise you that if only you follow this perfect diet, take this miracle supplement, try this game-changing exercise, or adopt this one specific routine, you’ll transform your menopausal experience. You’ll be calm, cool, and collected—virtually untouched by the trials of this challenging time. But here’s the harsh reality: there is no perfect anything when it comes to menopause.
Menopause isn’t a formula you can crack with some one-size-fits-all solution. It’s messy, it’s confusing, and it’s downright frustrating. And the idea that some 30-year-old influencer who hasn’t even faced a single hot flash knows the secret to your well-being is laughable.
No Perfect Diet—Eat for Your Body
Let’s start with food. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read about the “perfect menopause diet.” Keto, vegan, paleo, intermittent fasting, low-carb, high-protein, raw food—the list goes on. Each one claims to have the solution to balance your hormones, ease your symptoms, and give you energy like you’re 25 again.
The truth? There is no perfect diet. What works for me might not work for you. Our bodies are unique. My Irish heritage, for example, means my body has a different relationship with food than someone else’s. It took me ages to figure out what meals minimize my hot flashes and mood swings, and I’m still tweaking things. And I can promise you, no influencer had the answer for me—I had to find it myself.
There are days when I eat clean, and there are days when I indulge. My diet doesn’t fit neatly into one category, and it never will. Because my goal is to feel good—not to fit into someone else’s idea of what a perfect menopausal diet should look like.
No Perfect Exercise Routine—Move How You Want
Let’s tackle the next fiction: the “perfect” workout routine. It seems like every fitness guru out there has an opinion on what menopause exercise should look like. High-intensity interval training to boost your metabolism. Weightlifting to protect your bones. Yoga to reduce stress. Swimming for joint health. Running to burn calories. Sure, those all sound great in theory, but none of them is a silver bullet.
I’ve tried Pilates, yoga, HIIT, weight training, and everything in between. Some days, I feel like throwing on my workout clothes and sweating it out. Other days, I want to curl up in bed and stretch my legs while reading a book. And you know what? That’s okay. Exercise is about what makes you feel strong and capable. I’m not going to kill myself at the gym because someone’s video told me it was the only way to keep my bones healthy.
Consistency matters, yes, but consistency doesn’t mean rigidity. It means listening to my body and moving in a way that makes me feel better, not worse. If an influencer tells you that their routine is the key to a perfect menopausal body, block them, unfollow them, and find someone who understands that menopause isn’t about chasing an unrealistic ideal.
No Perfect Supplement—What Works for You Might Not Work for Me
Now, let’s get into the wonderful world of supplements. I don’t think there’s a single health “expert” on the internet who doesn’t have a cocktail of pills, powders, and herbs they swear by. Black cohosh, maca root, vitamin D, magnesium, omega-3s, collagen, probiotics—the list is endless.
I’m not here to dismiss supplements entirely. Some of them have genuinely helped me, but only because I took the time to understand my own body and consult professionals who knew my history. What works for one person can make another’s symptoms worse. A one-size-fits-all approach to supplements is not only naïve—it’s dangerous. I see influencers pushing products they’re paid to promote with zero regard for the impact on real women’s health. And let’s be clear: they don’t care. They’re making money off of your desperation, and that pisses me off.
If you want to try a supplement, do your research, consult a professional, and see how your body reacts. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, move on. Don’t let social media shame you for not falling in line with the latest fad.
No Perfect Routine—Menopause Is Chaos, Embrace It
Routines are a hot topic in the world of menopause advice. Morning routines, evening routines, self-care routines, daily schedules—each one promises to be the game-changer for your symptoms. “Wake up at 5 AM, meditate, drink lemon water, journal, stretch, don’t touch your phone for an hour, eat a balanced breakfast, and take a walk before you start your day.” Sure, that sounds wonderful. In reality, some days I can barely drag myself out of bed after a sleepless, sweat-soaked night.
There are mornings when I wake up and feel energized enough to follow a routine, and then there are mornings where I’m just proud I made it to my desk with a cup of coffee in hand. And that’s real life. Menopause doesn’t fit neatly into a scheduled box. It’s unpredictable. It’s messy. Your routine isn’t about fitting a social media-approved mold; it’s about what gets you through the day. Period.
No Perfect Medicine—Trust Yourself, Not Influencers
Let’s talk about medication, both pharmaceutical and natural. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), antidepressants, herbal teas, CBD, hormone-balancing creams—the list of options goes on forever. I’ll say it loud and clear: there is no perfect medicine for menopause. Some women find immense relief with HRT; others experience side effects. Some swear by natural remedies, while others need a prescription to make it through the day.
Your body, your rules. Your decision to take medication—or not—is your business. And here’s the kicker: no matter what you choose, someone on the internet will criticize it. If you opt for HRT, you’ll get scolded for “not going natural.” If you choose herbal solutions, someone will question why you don’t just “listen to science.” It’s exhausting, and it’s nonsense.
At the end of the day, the only opinion that matters is yours. Do your research, talk to real medical professionals, and make the choice that’s best for you. Ignore the influencers—they don’t know you, they don’t care about you, and they’re not living your life.
The Truth About Menopause—It’s Not Simple
Here’s the blunt reality: menopause is not simple. It’s not a single problem with a single solution. It’s a phase of life that every woman navigates differently. It’s about trial and error, about learning what works for your unique body and mind, about screwing up, adjusting, and moving forward. Menopause isn’t an “influencer-worthy” moment. It’s about sweat, tears, frustration, and moments of triumph—your triumphs.
Social media loves to portray perfection because perfection sells. Imperfection doesn’t. No one is going viral over a post saying, “I tried a supplement, and it didn’t work for me,” or “I gave up on that workout because it left me exhausted instead of energized.” But those are the realities we face. And frankly, those stories are a lot more valuable than the filtered, airbrushed crap that’s out there.
Real Menopause, Real Life
I’m done with the noise. I’m done with the influencers who pretend they have all the answers, the platforms that prioritize glossy perfection over messy reality, and the endless parade of “experts” who don’t have a clue what it’s like to actually go through menopause. I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to not have it all figured out. It’s okay to stumble, to struggle, and to fail. It’s okay to try something and hate it, to change your mind, and to go back to square one. That’s real life, and that’s real menopause.
Social media wants you to believe that if you just follow the right steps, your journey will be flawless. It won’t be. And it doesn’t have to be. What it needs to be is yours—messy, beautiful, imperfect, and honest. It’s about finding what works for you, not what works for the algorithm.
So the next time you’re scrolling through social media, remember this: 90% of it is fiction. Menopause isn’t a filtered photo or a perfect plan. It’s a lived experience, and it’s yours to navigate. Trust yourself, ignore the bullshit, and embrace the chaos.
In solidarity and strength,
Evelyn