“Historically, there has been a deeply damaging narrative that menopause signals the loss of womanhood or femininity,” says Leah Millheiser, MD, former clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University and the current medical director of the Sutter Health Comprehensive Menopause Program. “Encouragingly, the tide is turning in how we view menopause and the women who experience it.”

“Cultural narratives are shifting from silence and stigma to openness and strength. Today prominent public figures are speaking candidly about their menopausal journeys — something that, not long ago, many avoided for fear it might diminish their image or marketability,” says Dr. Millheiser.

The increased awareness about midlife ups and downs is a good thing, especially if it encourages women to get help for bothersome menopause symptoms. “Partnering with a clinician who specializes in menopause can be transformative,” says Millheiser. “With individualized, evidence-based care, menopause symptoms can be effectively managed, allowing women not just to cope with this transition, but to feel strong and fully engaged in this dynamic stage of life.”

The hormonal changes that happen during menopause can be a positive for some women, especially those with certain health conditions, such as menorrhagia (heavy periods) or menstrual migraines, she says. Many women also experience a midlife mental shift and are better able to embrace challenges and navigate setbacks with more confidence.

1. No More Periods

Menopause marks the end of the menstrual cycle, and for many women, that's a cause for celebration in itself. It means no more fussing with tampons or pads, no more worrying about leakage, and no more menstrual cramping.

“One of the most frequently expressed benefits my patients share is the end of their menstrual cycles. This is particularly impactful for women who have struggled with heavy periods. For them, no longer getting a period can be life-changing, restoring predictability and quality of life,” says Millheiser.

These women may find they gain energy, because heavy periods can cause anemia, which can make women feel tired and weak, she says. “After periods stop, many women report that they are able to exercise more efficiently,” Millheiser says.

No periods can also be a welcome relief after perimenopause, the stage before menopause, says Millheiser. “For many women, their monthly periods get heavier and/or more irregular. It may come sooner than every 28 days during this time. When they finally go through menopause, it puts an end to the guessing game of when their period is going to start or stop.”

2. Less Stress About PMS

Even if you’re a woman with a clockwork cycle and your symptoms are predictable, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can still make life pretty unpleasant for a few days each month. For a small number of women, the symptoms are disabling, a form of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

3. The End of Menstrual Headaches

Migraine and headaches can also be part of the constellation of premenstrual symptoms that can go away after menopause, says Millheiser. Menstrual migraine has similar symptoms to other types of migraine, which can include headache pain, sensitivity to light, sweating or chills, and nausea and vomiting.

In a normal menstrual cycle, fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone can trigger menstrual migraine. But after menopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone fall, and often the number of hormonal headaches declines, too.

Unfortunately, if you have migraine for other reasons, menopause won’t fix that, says Millheiser.

4. Sex Without Pregnancy Worries

“Among American women of different ethnic groups, sex without thinking about pregnancy was frequently cited as one of the benefits of menopause,” says Nanette Santoro, MD, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and a menopause researcher at the University of Colorado in Anschutz.

For many women, not worrying about contraception can be very freeing, agrees Millheiser. “This is something women often appreciate about going through menopause.”

There are a few caveats to this good news. First, make sure that you have actually gone through menopause — that’s defined as 12 consecutive months without a period — before you stop using birth control, says Millheiser. “I tell patients, while you are in perimenopause, you still require birth control,” she says. “Even though there’s a low risk of pregnancy at this stage, it’s still possible.”

5. Shrinking Uterine Fibroids

“For women who have been charting fibroid growth and are hoping to avoid surgery, or for those who have heavy periods due to fibroids, menopause is welcome,” says Marcie Richardson, MD, an ob-gyn and menopause expert at Atrius Health in Boston. “For women who have fibroids sitting on their bladder, menopause gives them a break.”

Other uterine fibroid symptoms, such as pelvic pressure or pain, backache, or leg pains, can also improve after menopause.

6. Increased Confidence and Inner Strength

After 50-plus years of life experience, including the ups and downs of relationships, child-rearing, and careers, women are more likely to go after what they want with a greater sense of confidence that they can handle whatever comes their way.

“There are women who have gone through menopause who say, ‘I feel like I know myself more, and I’m more confident in who I am as a woman and a person. I don’t put up with nonsense the way I used to,’” says Millheiser.

“I don’t think that’s menopause related. I think that’s something that comes as we age. We gain that confidence and wisdom, but some women will attribute it to menopause,” she says.

Even if you’ve been hit hard with menopause symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and brain fog, it doesn’t have to equal gloom and doom, says Millheiser. “If menopausal symptoms have interfered with your quality of life, the appropriate care can help restore comfort and confidence, allowing you to continue living fully and on your own terms.”

Millheiser suggests seeking out a Menopause Society–certified practitioner for any menopause-related issues. “These healthcare professionals have gone through special training and testing to ensure that they can deliver high-quality care during the menopause transition and beyond,” she says.

“With women spending nearly one-third of their lives in the postmenopausal years, access to evidence-based care is essential,” says Millheiser. “The right support empowers women to continue living fully while optimizing their physical health, emotional well-being, and sexual health throughout this significant life stage.”

The Takeaway

• While menopause can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, this transition also offers significant benefits such as the end of menstrual cycles, PMS, and hormonal migraines, as well as improved self-confidence.
• The transition into postmenopause can improve quality of life by allowing for sexual activity without having to worry about pregnancy and by shrinking uterine fibroids in those who have them.
• If you are struggling with menopause, consulting with a certified menopause practitioner can help you access evidence-based care to effectively manage symptoms and boost quality of life.