Sophie the Duchess of Edinburgh became the first royal to discuss this taboo topic

Female bodies are one of the most complicated systems of nature and yet the least discussed. Many organisations, education systems and charities are working towards creating awareness around the usual elements of a female’s life - periods, babies, sex and more.

However, very few speak about menopause - or very rarely does the topic come up. Amidst this, the Royal Family’s most relied-upon female - The Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie - once spoke about the upsetting side of menopause. The Royal was urged to speak about it after she was left feeling like someone took her brain out during a Royal Engagement.

The Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie opens up about menopause struggles

In a royal first, Prince Edward’s wife candidly shared her experience with menopause in 2021. During an online discussion to support the Menopause Workplace Pledge with a women’s charity, Sophie emphasised how menopause was made to feel like a ‘shackle’ when it should be ‘celebrated.’

According to the Daily Express, the Duchess explained that menopause signifies the end of the menstrual cycle which essentially means ‘no more periods.’ She said:

It should be a liberation, but it feels like a shackle. It’s described as something incredibly negative.

The Royal who had her share of upsetting experiences during menopause shared how women should be aware of periods and menopause as much as they are made aware about babies. Pointing out the flaw in our education system, Sophie highlighted that women are often taught about the start of their periods, but rarely do they teach when and how it ends or the symptoms that come along with it.

This comes as, during her menopause phase, she was at a Royal engagement and forgot what she was talking about in the middle of the sentence. She shared:

You know, in the middle of a presentation when you suddenly can’t remember what you were talking about... try being on an engagement when that happens – your words just go.

It’s like somebody’s just gone and taken your brain out for however long before they pop it back in again and you try and pick up the pieces and carry on.

What symptoms of menopause did Sophie go through?

The aforementioned scenario clarifies that the Duchess was facing ‘memory problems’ and ‘difficulty in concentrating,’ which happen to be very common symptoms of menopause. Every woman's body is different and so is their menopause experience. Some experience severe and wide-ranging symptoms while others are lucky enough to barely notice the change, confirms Healthline.

Other symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, urinary tract infections (UTIs), headaches, increased urination and more. While Sophie didn’t elaborate on any symptoms other than brain fog that affected her menopause journey, it is expected that she may have faced some of these symptoms as well.

Many royals have previously spoken on many women-related topics, but Sophie became the first royal to address the topic with such openness despite it being considered taboo. CBC reports, Sophie isn’t the only high-profile woman who has spoken about menopause. Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey have also been candid about it.

The Duchess - who is part of over 70 charities - spoke about her struggles at the Menopause Workplace Pledge campaign with the Wellbeing Of Women charity. Their website confirms that apart from HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, Carol Vorderman is also a patron.

Read More

⋙ Prince Edward's wife Sophie once involved in scandal that made her leave career for Royal Family

⋙ Royal Family: Here's why Prince Edward and Sophie's children never appear on their Christmas cards

⋙ King Charles: Prince Edward's Duke of Edinburgh title 'technically' could have gone to Andrew

Sources Used

Clip of The Duchess of Edinburgh's discussion on menopause

Daily Express: Duchess Sophie’s secret struggle revealed in candid comments

Healthline: Everything You Should Know About Menopause

CBC: 'We just have to get louder': Why this royal wants to break taboos around women's health

Wellbeing Of Women charity website