I am one of many women who were told that the symptoms of menopause were all in our heads, dismissed as over-anxious and tired mothers. It wasn't until I changed doctors that I was given Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), a treatment that was life-changing for me.

The Lancet recently published an opinion piece suggesting menopause is over-medicalized and recommending Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a solution, which wrongly categorizes the physical suffering of menopausal women into a mental health issue. This perspective is not only misguided but also harmful to millions of women worldwide who are struggling with the physical effects of menopause.

Menopause, like diabetes, is a hormonal imbalance issue. Diabetes patients are treated with insulin to replace what their bodies can no longer produce; similarly, HRT replaces diminishing hormones in menopausal women's bodies. According to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), HRT has been proven effective in treating common symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.

We urge The Lancet to retract their opinion piece on menopause and acknowledge the scientific evidence supporting HRT as an effective treatment for many women experiencing this natural phase of life. Please sign this petition if you believe in advocating for accurate medical information and respectful care for all women going through menopause.