Menopause: The Answer Is Not in Hormone Levels

Women around 50 face a strange contradiction: they are everywhere, yet remarkably absent from public view. They work, lead companies and teams, care for children, support aging parents, and organize family and friendships. Many have reached the professional peak of their experience, with decades of knowledge, networks and skills behind them.

There is no question of withdrawing from society. Yet many women describe this stage of life with a feeling that seems inconsistent with their visible responsibilities and achievements: invisibility.

A study conducted at the Duale Hochschule Gera-Eisenach with more than 1,220 women aged 40 to 65 highlights the contradiction. When asked where they experienced social belonging, respondents could choose several areas. Family ranked highest at 91%, followed by friends at 77% and the workplace at 61%.

Only a small minority said they felt lonely or socially isolated. Still, almost 85% wanted women in midlife to receive more visibility and recognition in society. The figures suggest that feeling connected to particular groups does not necessarily mean feeling seen in the wider social landscape.