creator & founder

Fiona Catchpowle

Menopause Doula & Menstrual Health Evangelist, preaching the gospel of the 5th Vital Sign!

Even with a background in Biology and Holistic Therapy, Fiona’s own experience of menopause was like hitting a brick wall. How could it be possible to reach 47 and not know about something called perimenopause? Had she missed the menopause memo?

"Driven to make a lasting change"

Menopause the Truth

The MAC, Birmingham

During her hazardous attempt to navigate menopause transition, spending months of research looking for answers, it soon became apparent that globally there is no education, formal or otherwise, for menstruators of any age to learn about the menstrual health journey and how to best support themselves. Determined to change the face of menopause care so no one is left isolated and unsupported, she sought out ways to create more educational touch points in the lives of people who menstruate.

You don't know what you don't know, and you can't manage what you don't understand. Knowledge and awareness where key components missing in the ability for people to make informed decisions about their hormone health.

The basic biology that was needed to base these decisions on was missing from mainstream education, and this gap in understanding was clearly affecting long term health outcomes.

The route therefore was to educate those who can help others, in a biology-based format, which would make them safe, sensible and supportive - a global collective of Menopause Doulas who will guide, nurture and support others along the menstrual health timeline from periods to perimenopause and beyond.

Teddy & Yaya

At the top of the slide!

"What people learn about ovaries in school is insufficient. If you happen to be in class that day the only thing you learn is that they create oestrogen and progesterone which makes babies or blood!

You are taught not to make babies until you are married, and don't talk about the blood in front of others.

If you are very lucky you may get the 'period talk' from a lovely person who explains the menstrual cycle and how to choose and use period products.

What about menstrual health?"

Fiona’s background as Biologist, Holistic Therapist, Lecturer, and Social Media Marketer provided an eclectic mix of skills, that were the backdrop to the creation of The Menopause School.

"I have been an adult educator for over 30 years, Holistic Therapist and Biology Teacher. At no point was I taught the essentials of menstrual health across life stages, which I have now come to realise is the most important knowledge someone who menstruates needs to learn to be enabled and empowered to make informed decisions on how best to live a healthy, vibrant life. The Menopause School is now bringing these tools to everyone."

Our Mission

Decades of incomplete information has left a legacy of misunderstandings that are affecting health outcomes on a global scale. We will create a worldwide collective of menstrual and menopause health informed professionals so every menstruator has the knowledge and support to take their next best step as they travel along the menstrual health timeline.