MANILA, PHILIPPINES – This World Menopause Awareness month, an important yet rarely discussed health crisis is brought to the forefront: a pervasive cultural silence around menopause is negatively impacting Filipino women.

A critical health gap persists, highlighted by regional research: While a survey of women in Metro Manila found that a striking 83% of respondents experience menopausal symptoms, historical data and related studies indicate a significant majority do not seek medical help (Ramoso-Jalbuena, n.d.). This suggests that an estimated 8 out of 10 Filipinas are enduring this transition in silence. This pattern of silent endurance is rooted in a culture that often dismisses menopause as a natural, non-medical phase, thereby minimizing the real and long-term health risks involved.

Menopause and the Filipino Women

The average age of menopause for Filipino women is around 48 years, meaning they may spend more than a third of their lives in the post-menopause period. This essential life stage is compounded by deep-rooted cultural barriers.

Traditionally, discussing menopause is often uncomfortable in Filipino culture, and the idea itself is frequently perceived negatively, associating it with the loss of youth and vitality. Compounding this silence is the fact that the average Filipino woman often adopts an attitude of forbearance or pagtitiis toward the climacteric syndrome, an influential cultural trait that leads to suffering in silence rather than seeking necessary care. A study further confirms that such an attitude is influenced by her Asian culture and Third World circumstances (Ramoso-Jalbuena, n.d.).

Add to that the significant barriers to institutional support. Even as major medical bodies, such as the Philippine Society of Climacteric Medicine and the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, recommend establishing specialized menopause clinics in all centers, reports indicate that these efforts are hampered by challenges. Weaknesses cited include a lack of infrastructure support, limited training and interest in menopause care, and hesitancy in prescribing menopause hormone therapy (Habana et al., n.d.).

This cultural and systemic gap reinforces the problem, particularly given that studies show a vast knowledge deficit among women: 70% of respondents were unaware of the increased susceptibility to osteoporosis, and 88% were unaware of the elevated risk of heart disease associated with menopause. Experts confirm that for many Filipinas, the cessation of menses is often the only information generally familiar or known regarding menopause (Alzate, 2023).

Menopause is defined as the point in time 12 months after a woman’s last period, marking the end of her reproductive years. The phase leading up to it, perimenopause, can begin as early as the late 30s or early 40s and lasts for several years. During this time, fluctuating and declining levels of estrogen and progesterone trigger a range of symptoms.

The changes women experience take a heavy toll on quality of life and productivity, extending far beyond immediate discomfort. While psychological disorders (affecting 79% in one survey) (Ramoso-Jalbuena, n.d.) and easy fatigability (89%) (Roque-Igualada & Manalo, 2019) are common, hospital-based studies show that joint and muscular discomfort is the most prevalent issue, and the most common reason for absence from work. These symptoms, coupled with emotional impacts like brain fog and anxiety, severely strain relationships. Critically, the sustained drop in estrogen significantly impacts long-term health, elevating the risk for cardiovascular disease—the leading cause of death for women (Population, Philippines, n.d.)—and contributing to metabolic changes. Failing to address these issues is not merely enduring discomfort; it’s neglecting crucial preventative health measures, underscoring the necessity of early, proactive, and holistic wellness intervention.

Taking On Menopause

Research shows that women experience an average 10% reduction in bone mineral density during perimenopause, with muscle mass declining by 0.6% per year after menopause. This hormonal decline significantly increases the risk of osteoporosis and sarcopenia, making targeted nutritional support essential.

Protein is a vital macronutrient during this stage. Its adequate intake is crucial to combat sarcopenia—the age-related loss of muscle mass—which accelerates as estrogen declines. Maintaining muscle mass is directly linked to better metabolism, bone health, and long-term mobility. Starting this support during perimenopause helps mitigate symptoms and manage the transition more effectively.

Recognizing this critical and unmet need for specialized midlife nutrition in the Philippine market, SECONDSPRING®, a new Philippine-based wellness brand, today announced the launch of its Premium Women’s Blend, a unique protein supplement specifically formulated for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.

“Filipino women often endure this transition quietly—to just deal with it without complaint—‘tiis lang.’ But staying silent doesn’t serve anyone,” says SECONDSPRING® Founder Jasmin Vinculado. “Women are living 30+ years post-menopause, and our bodies have specific nutritional needs during this transition. SECONDSPRING® is about giving women the targeted support they need to stay strong, healthy, and energized. This is about thriving in transition and making it our best life chapter yet.”

The blend combines clinically studied ingredients to deliver targeted benefits. It includes premium whey protein isolate to support the maintenance of lean muscle mass towards better body composition. It also contains VERISOL® bioactive collagen peptides, which support skin, hair, and nail elasticit,y which are compromised by estrogen loss. This is complemented by essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, D3, B12, calcium, and magnesium.  This combination provides foundational support for both strength and long-term well-being.

Importantly, SECONDSPRING® is the first and only Philippine brand to be accredited with the MTick®: the global symbol for menopause-friendly products.  Products with the MTick® support one or more of the 48 signs of menopause, empowering women to make informed choices with confidence.

The certification recognizes products that meet evidence-based standards for menopausal wellness and are positively rated by customers for quality and efficacy.

For Co-Founder Carlos Vargas, the brand is a call to action. “SECONDSPRING® is proof that midlife deserves full support. We are not just selling a supplement; we are giving women a tool to reclaim their strength, challenge the cultural taboo, and celebrate this incredible transition.”

Embracing the Second Spring

The message is clear: Menopause is not a battle to be fought alone or an inevitable decline to be endured helplessly. Filipino women do not have to settle for the status quo of silence and suffering. By acknowledging the symptoms, seeking appropriate support, and being proactive about specific nutritional needs during perimenopause and menopause, women can take decisive action in preparing for an exciting new chapter of life. This is the moment to be empowered, informed, and in control of one’s health, ensuring that the years ahead are defined by strength, wisdom, and vitality.

To learn more about navigating perimenopause, menopause, and beyond, visit www.secondspringph.com.