Loss 62/101: Loss through menopause: Diane Danzebrink

The Silent Why: finding hope in grief and loss

#127. What hidden losses and unexpected grief accompany menopause? And how do they differ when menopause is triggered surgically?
This is The Silent Why, a podcast on a mission to open up conversations around grief, exploring asking if hope can be found in 101 different types of permanent loss.
Loss #62 of 101: Loss through menopause

In this episode, we welcome Diane Danzebrink, advocate, educator, and author of Making Menopause Matter. Diane experienced surgical menopause following surgery related to a potential ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2012. What followed was a mental and emotional decline that she never expected, and a battle few talk about openly.
This topic is especially close to our hearts. In 2019, Claire (your host) was also thrust into surgical menopause following a total hysterectomy, so we’ve been waiting to find the right person to speak to about the unique grief and loss tied to menopause.
Diane brings both lived experience and professional dedication to this conversation. She works tirelessly to support women through the often-invisible losses of menopause while campaigning for improved education, awareness, and support.
In this heartfelt episode, Diane speaks openly about the loss of identity, confidence, stability, and mental health, and how she ultimately transformed her pain into purpose.
Whether you’re going through menopause, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand this transition, this episode offers compassion, clarity, and hope.
To find out more about Diane, her book and her work:
https://dianedanzebrink.com
https://menopausesupport.co.uk/
To find out about the online support group I mentioned, Together in Surgical Menopause, visit:
www.surgicalmenopause.co.uk

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Thank you for listening.

Chapters

1. Introduction to Menopause Loss (00:00:00)

2. What is Menopause? Types Explained (00:06:07)

3. Diane's Surgical Menopause Experience (00:16:27)

4. Rock Bottom and Finding Hope (00:28:02)

5. Grief, Loss, and Identity Changes (00:37:29)

6. Turning Pain Into Purpose (00:49:24)

7. Range of Menopause Symptoms (01:04:55)

8. Three Hermans: Hope and Legacy (01:12:50)