Menopause - the truths and misconceptions - B1/B2

Woman's power

dive in

B2/B2+

start

Index

Let's practice words

What do you know?

Extra text practice

Facts and Myths

Express your opinion

True or false?

Fun time

Synonym match

Words in context

Let's talk about it

teacher's notes

Menopause

What comes to your mind when you hear it?

What is the truth and what is a myth? Do you know?

20

Look and say. Are they true about menopause?

Look and say. Are they true about menopause?

Well done

facts

myths

* Hormone therapy can alleviate symptoms but has some risks associated.

* Menopause only affects older women.

* Menopause happens suddenly.

* Mental health issues can increase during menopause; awareness is crucial.

* Menopause causes weight gain.

* Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is dangerous for all women.

* You can't get pregnant during menopause.

* Menopause usually begins between ages 45 and 55 for most women.

* Estrogen levels drop significantly, impacting mood and physical health.

* One-third of women say menopause affects their work life negatively.

* Only 20% of women feel comfortable discussing menopause openly.

* Menopause only causes hot flashes.

* About 75% of women experience hot flashes during menopause.

Decide

Look at the statements before you read the article

1. Menopause is a stage in a woman's life when she continues to have menstrual periods. 2. Researchers have discovered that menopause can affect a woman's mood and bone health. 3. Doctors are unable to offer any treatments for menopause symptoms. 4. Many women feel comfortable discussing menopause openly. 5. Talking about menopause can help women feel less isolated. 6. Menopause is often considered a natural and manageable process. 7. Lifestyle changes like exercise and healthy eating have no impact on menopause symptoms.

text

Check

Let's discover the words

text

progress to influence complicated complete essential to reduce to give power to improve to promote to emphasize

understanding to remain myth perspiration to happen general to concern to clarify hidden to show

Advancement

Insight

to affect

to linger

Complex

Misconception

Comprehensive

Night sweats

Crucial

to occur

to decrease

Overall

to empower

to relate to

to enrich

to shed new light

to foster

Shrouded

to highlight

to unfold

more

Check

Why do you believe discussions about topics like night sweats are often shrouded in silence?

What crucial information do you think should be included in comprehensive education about menopause?

How does the overall understanding of menopause relate to women's experiences during this phase?

How can lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, help ease the transition through menopause?

What role do support networks (family, friends, healthcare providers) play in helping women cope with the emotional and physical changes of menopause?

How can sharing insights about menopause empower women in their communities?

What misconceptions do you think people have about menopause and its effects on women?

Vocabulary practice

Let's discuss it

Your words

Match

gapped text

quizlet

Anna's past

Check

Read the following text and put the missing words in.

advancements affecting complex comprehensive crucial empower enriching highlighted insights lingering misconceptions shed new light shrouded sweats unfold

lingering

shrouded

In a small town, _________________ in mystery, lived Anna, a young woman with ___________________ questions about her past. One day, while exploring an abandoned library, she stumbled upon an old diary. Reading it, she found _________________ that would _____________________ on her family history. It seemed there were __________________ relationships that had been kept secret, deeply __________________ her life without her knowing. The entries __________________ a series of events that have occurred in the town every decade, leading to night _________ ___ about what might __________________next. Determined to uncover the truth, Anna sought help from an elderly local historian. He offered a ________________ understanding of past events in the town. His __________________ in uncovering hidden documents had been _________________ in eliminating misconceptions about the town's history. As Anna discovered more, she realized these revelations could __________________ her, fostering a newfound confidence in her identity. Anna’s exploration was not just about solving a mystery but also about ___________________ her understanding of how her personal history relates to the broader community. As ____________________began to decrease, she found that the overall truth was more enriching than she ever imagined.

shed new light

insights

complex

affecting

highlighted

unfold

sweats

comprehensive

advancements

crucial

empower

enriching

misconceptions

Fun time

Open discussion on menopause...

Advantages

Encourages open conversations, helping to reduce stigma around the topic.

Talking about it raises awareness about menopause and its effects on women's health

Provides support and information for women going through similar experiences.

Helps younger generations learn about menopause before experiencing it.

Promotes better research and understanding of menopause-related issues.

I strongly believe...

I definitely agree...

I couldn't agree more...

That's a good point...

That's true but ...

I completely agree...

I'm not sure I agree...

I can't agree with that...

That's not how I see that...

I don't think ...

I don't agree ...

Let's talk about it

Some women may still feel embarrassed or ashamed to discuss it openly.

Misinformation and myths may spread if discussions are not accurate.

Lack of attention from healthcare providers can lead to unmet needs during menopause.

Limited representation in media can make women feel isolated in their struggles.

The topic can be seen as taboo in certain cultures, leading to silence.

Disadvantages

The reality

Oh ladies ladies it's crazy crazy oh ladies ladies how was I supposed to know I'm entering a _______________ (1) it's crazy crazy my body is letting go I'm up to pee all night yeah _______________(2) don't get too close to me getting _______________(3) ovaries will shut down menopause my lower back is _______________(4) me and I'm full of _______________(5) anxiety don't touch me forget what to do I lose my _______________(6) I'm always _______________(7) just you wait till it's your time

menopause

oh ladies ladies my body's a _______________(8) that's randomly ignited it's crazy crazy the sheets and shirts that I go through it's not the way I planned it must be how am I not yet empty I'm not ________________(9) but I need to go again this sucks my lower back is _______________(10) me I'm full of stress anxiety and don't _______________(11) me forget what to do I lose my _______________(12) I'm always crying just you wait till it's your time oh ladies ladies my mind is hazy

oh oh ladies ladies how was I supposed to know it's crazy crazy my body is letting go I must confess I feel like a _______________(13) it's wiping me out what is happening to me I don't want hair here here yes I need some _______________(14) just you wait till it's your time my lower back is _______________(15) me I'm full of stress anxiety and don't touch me forget what to do I lose my mind I'm always crying just you wait till your time

16

The reality check

Thank you Good job!

Menopause - its truths and misconceptions

1. Recent discoveries about menopause have truly shed new light on this crucial stage of a woman's life, yet it remains a topic many still hesitate to discuss openly. Traditionally shrouded in silence, menopause occurs when a woman's ovaries cease to release eggs, leading to a significant decrease in estrogen levels. This natural transition often results in symptoms like night sweats, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. The lack of open dialogue affects women’s health significantly, reinforcing misconceptions and preventing many from seeking the necessary care. 2. The latest research provides insights into how menopause relates to broader health issues, offering a more comprehensive understanding of its impact. These advancements are enriching the medical community's ability to support women during this change. Importantly, these findings highlight the complex nature of menopause, particularly how it differs from one woman to another. 3. A crucial reason why menopause remains an under-discussed topic is the lingering stigma and discomfort associated with aging in women. However, more women are

finding the courage to speak out, empowering others by sharing their experiences and fostering a more open conversation. As these discussions unfold, they help eliminating the outdated societal norms that have kept menopause in the shadows. 4. Understanding menopause is not only vital for women who experience it but also for society overall. By acknowledging how this life stage occurs and affects half the population, we can work towards fostering a culture that empowers all individuals to address their health openly and without embarrassment. 5. In sum, these recent advancements are not only highlighting the importance of understanding menopause but are also paving the way for healthier conversations. As these insights become more widely known, they promise a future where women are better supported, ultimately leading to a more enriching and healthy experience during this natural phase of life.

True or False

* Look at the statements before you read the article. * Decide if they are true or false. * Then read the article and mark the answers. * Check

Menopause - its truths and misconceptions

1. Recent discoveries about menopause have truly shed new light on this crucial stage of a woman's life, yet it remains a topic many still hesitate to discuss openly. Traditionally shrouded in silence, menopause occurs when a woman's ovaries cease to release eggs, leading to a significant decrease in estrogen levels. This natural transition often results in symptoms like night sweats, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. The lack of open dialogue affects women’s health significantly, reinforcing misconceptions and preventing many from seeking the necessary care. 2. The latest research provides insights into how menopause relates to broader health issues, offering a more comprehensive understanding of its impact. These advancements are enriching the medical community's ability to support women during this change. Importantly, these findings highlight the complex nature of menopause, particularly how it differs from one woman to another. 3. A crucial reason why menopause remains an under-discussed topic is the lingering stigma and discomfort associated with aging in women. However, more women are

finding the courage to speak out, empowering others by sharing their experiences and fostering a more open conversation. As these discussions unfold, they help dismantle the outdated societal norms that have kept menopause in the shadows. 4. Understanding menopause is not only vital for women who experience it but also for society overall. By acknowledging how this life stage occurs and affects half the population, we can work towards fostering a culture that empowers all individuals to address their health openly and without embarrassment. 5. In sum, these recent advancements are not only highlighting the importance of understanding menopause but are also paving the way for healthier conversations. As these insights become more widely known, they promise a future where women are better supported, ultimately leading to a more enriching and healthy experience during this natural phase of life.

Vocab practice

* Pick any activity you want * Quizlet - meaning recognition * learningapps - match *gapped text - words in context

Reality check

Look at the sentences and put the correct word in. Enjoy!

More Vocab practice

* Read the text carefully. * Put the words in and check. * You can use the blue crosses to help you manage the words.

Expressing opinions

Open discussion on menopause could ... * Click on 'LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.' * Express the opinion on the advantage or disadvantage that appears. * Use the expression that appears at the same time.

Express your opinion

* Look at the questions * What do you think?

Vocab practice

* Look at the words on the page. * They are the synonyms of the words that you can find in your article. * Look back to the text and find the new words. * Write them in their basic forms

Fun time

* Listen to the song. * Fill in the gaps * Enjoy!

Lesson plan

This is a full lesson including the speaking, reading, vocabulary and listening activities for students of B2 and above. The order of activities is meant to smoothly introduce students to new vocabulary and practice both speaking and reading. However, the emphasis is on motivating ss to speak rather than practice vocabulary. When you go through the pages, T may decide to use individual elements that suit their needs.

* More speaking practice

* Introduction - What do you know?

Brainstorming the topic and a brief discussion * Slide 3 - T starts by eliciting the knowledge on menopause from their ss writing down the ideas on the slide in the presentation. Later ss decide what in their opinion is the truth and what is a misconception marking the answers T or M.

Slide 7 - Let's talk about it - Discussion questions - encourage ss to express their own opinions. Slide 9 - Express your opinion - Discussing advantages and disadvantages - making the argument - the slide shows advantages vs disadvantages interchangeably. In addition you can show different expressions on the screen to help ss take a certain perspective. (click the orange circle on the hand). This exercise is designed to teach ss to agree or disagree with different opinions encouraging them to come up with new arguments.

* Reading practice

Slide 4 - Facts and Myths - T shows different statements one by one and ss need to categorize them - Which one is considered a myth and which one is the truth. Encourage ss to discuss the ideas rather than merely make choices. Slide 5 - True and false statements about the text. Ask ss to go through the statements before they read the article and decide what they believe could be true or false. Ask them to read the text and confirm the answers. Discuss.

* Fun time - the songs

Slide 10 - gap filling exercise - the song Slide 11 contains another song by the same artist also about Menopause to accompany the lesson.

* Vocabulary practice

* Final check

Slide 6 - Synonym match - contains vocabulary activity which requires ss to work with the text and locate the words based on their synonyms or short definitions. If you want to continue practicing vocabulary go to slide 8 - Let's practice words (click - MORE) and practice the words in quizlet (T can pick any type of the activities to reinforce the meaning of the words that ss studied) or learningapps (matching activity - T can organize a race to engage ss more in learning vocabulary) or words in context - Extra text practice - a short gapped text that uses the same words that ss learnt. If you want to continue discussing the topic click the next page

Slide 12 - Words in context - context sentences that check ss ability to use the words from the article in context. - quizlet - words in context

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