Documentary screening in Wilmington to highlight perimenopause awareness

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A documentary screening in Wilmington this weekend aims to spark conversation about a stage of women’s health that experts say is often overlooked.

“The (M) Factor 2: Before the Pause (Perimenopause)” will be shown Saturday evening at Jengo’s Playhouse. The event will include a panel discussion and question-and-answer session with local health professionals following the film.

Dr. Amy Hawkins, a naturopathic doctor and menopause specialist helping host the event, said the documentary focuses on perimenopause, the years leading up to menopause that can begin long before many women expect.

“Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause,” Hawkins said in an interview on Good Morning Carolina. “The average age of menopause in the US is age 51, but the age can range from 45 to 55, so perimenopause symptoms can start up to 10 years prior to menopause, so it can start as early as a woman’s mid-thirties.”

Hawkins said many people associate menopause primarily with hot flashes, but the earliest symptoms often involve cognitive and emotional changes.

“Usually it starts with cognitive changes,” she said. “Things like fatigue, mental exhaustion, sleep disturbances, and mood changes like anxiety and depression.”

Hawkins said women often report those symptoms to health care providers but may be told they are simply related to aging, stress or other life factors.

She said part of the lack of discussion around treatment began after a major study published in 2002 raised concerns about hormone replacement therapy, which Hawkins said later research showed had been misinterpreted.

“A lot of women were taken off of their hormone replacement therapy, and then an entire generation of women was not offered hormone replacement therapy for perimenopause and menopause treatment,” Hawkins said. “Because of that, the conversation sort of stopped.”

The documentary, produced by Denise Pines, is intended to help raise awareness about perimenopause, validate women’s experiences and highlight potential treatment options, according to event organizers.

The screening will begin after doors open at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, with the film starting at 6:15 p.m. A discussion with Hawkins and other local specialists will follow.

Hawkins will be joined on the panel by Dr. Nadine Antonelli of Seashore Women’s Health and physical therapist Caroline Keeler of Inside Out Physical Therapy.

Organizers said the event is designed to provide education and create an open forum for questions about symptoms, treatment options and health during midlife.

Tickets start at $10, with proceeds from the event planned to benefit a local women’s charity. Tickets can be purchased here.

You can learn more about Dr. Hawkins here.