“I’m falling apart, and I don’t know why”: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of women’s experiences of living with menopause

revealed an emerging coherent identity. Women's menopause experiences were both positive and challenging. Epistemic injustice, experienced through poor services and healthcare professional knowledge, delayed help-seeking. Phenomenological theory explained coexisting incommensurate feelings of psychological distress and growing resilience. Reconstructing menopause as opportunity for growth in older womanhood would benefit women's quality of life. To facilitate earlier help-seeking and access to treatment, societal and professional education needs strengthening to include the breadth of menopause symptoms.