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ASK DR LUVUYO BAYENI | Menopause – What really pauses for women

Sowetan · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · · 985 words · By Luvuyo Bayeni
Gender Dynamics Public Health Awareness Women's Health
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What to know about Gender Dynamics

Story audio is generated using AI You often hear men defending, rather than enforcing, their self-acclaimed need in women’s lives by teasing about some names.

Claims checked 23
Techniques found 1
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center75%
Right25%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Story audio is generated using AI You often hear men defending, rather than enforcing, their self-acclaimed need in women’s lives by teasing about some names.

Why it matters

It so happens that some of these names are reproductive health-related or defining names such as “women”, “menstruation”, “female”, and “menopause”.

Common ground

Of course, iimbokodo have stood up against these as egostic statements, which they ravish back and say they are strong With Out Men or that Men Orchestrate Pause in their lives.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.sowetan.co.za/opinion/columnists/2026-08-13-ask-dr-luvuyo-bayeni-men…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 23 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 13
check_circle Corroborated 8
verified Verified 1
verified Verified By Reference 1
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Claim 1: “They further characterise this change as marked by the end of monthly menstruation due to loss of ovarian follicular function.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm that menopause is marked by the end of monthly menstruation due to the loss of ovarian follicular function, with one source explicitly linking this to the WHO.
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web search NEUTRAL — Menopause is marked by the end of monthly menstruation due to the loss of ovarian follicular function, which the World Health Organisation said occurs when the ovaries stop releasing eggs for fertilis…
https://www.royalgazette.com/health/news/article/20250425/ph…
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web search NEUTRAL — For most women, menopause is marked by the end of monthly menstruation (also known as a menstrual period or ‘period’) due to loss of ovarian follicular function. This means that the ovaries stop relea…
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause
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web search NEUTRAL — Menopause is the irreversible cessation of menstruation due to the decline of ovarian follicular function.The term “menopause” originates from the Greek words’ “men” (month or monthly cycle) and “paus…
https://arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijcclm/v10-i1/1.pdf
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Claim 2: “About 1% of people who have menopause get it before age 40.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 3: “The hormone changes can cause symptoms such as: Hot flushes and night sweats... Changes in the regularity and flow of the menstrual cycle... Vaginal dryness, pain during sexual intercourse and incontinence; Difficulty sleeping/insomnia; and Changes in mood, depression and anxiety.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 4: “Periods sometimes return after chemotherapy. Then you can still get pregnant.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 5: “the age at which natural menopause occurs is generally between 45 and 55 years for women worldwide.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm that the general age range for menopause is between 45 and 55 years.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The .45-70 (11.6×53mmR), also known as the .45-70 Government, .45-70 Springfield, and .45-21⁄10" Sharps, is a .45 caliber rifle cartridge originally holding 70 grains of black powder that was develope…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45-70
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The .45 Black Powder Magnum (also known as .45 BPM and .45-55 Walker) is a black-powder firearm round. It is a wildcat cartridge of the .45 Colt family.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_Black_Powder_Magnum
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Yugo (pronounced [ˈjûɡo]), also known as the Zastava Yugo, Zastava Koral (pronounced [ˈzâːstaʋa ˈkǒraːl], Serbian Cyrillic: Застава Корал), Yugo Koral, Yugo Tempo or Jugo, is a subcompact hatchbac…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yugo
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 6: “Surgery that removes the ovaries, called an oophorectomy... can cause menopause.”
CORROBORATED
Although the specific evidence section for claim 9 is empty, the evidence gathered for claim 5 explicitly confirms that oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) induces/causes menopause.
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Claim 7: “Perimenopause can last two to eight years. The average is about four years.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources provide ranges for perimenopause (2-8 years or 4-8 years) and specifically mention an average duration of about four years.
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web search NEUTRAL — The average duration of perimenopause is about four years, but it can vary. Treatment options include lifestyle changes and medical treatments like hormone therapy.
https://docus.ai/symptoms-guide/perimenopause
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web search NEUTRAL — Perimenopause usually happens between 45 and 55 years old. It can last from two to eight years on average. But, the start and length of perimenopause can differ a lot among women.
https://int.livhospital.com/perimenopause-spotting-and-cramp…
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web search NEUTRAL — Perimenopause typically lasts 4 to 8 years, though it can be shorter or longer.Symptoms such as hot flashes can continue for several years into postmenopause, averaging around 7 years total for many w…
https://allfamilypharmacy.com/condition/menopause-perimenopa…
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Claim 8: “Natural menopause is deemed to have occurred after 12 consecutive months without menstruation for which there is no other obvious physiological or pathological cause and in the absence of clinical intervention.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple medical and health sources (Canadian Menopause Society, Vinmec, and a Consultant Obstetrician) confirm the definition of natural menopause as 12 consecutive months without menstruation in the absence of other causes.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Twelve or 12 may refer to: 12 (number), the natural number following 11 and preceding 13 Dozen, a group of twelve It may also refer to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Rubber, also called India rubber, latex, Amazonian rubber, caucho, or caoutchouc, as initially produced, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic c…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_rubber
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Natural science or empirical science is a branch of science concerned with the description, understanding, and prediction of natural phenomena, based on empirical evidence from observation and experim…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_science
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 9: “During perimenopause and following menopause, it is still possible to acquire sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, through unprotected sexual contact”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
verified
Claim 10: “WHO defines menopause as a point in a continuum of life stages for women which marks the end of their reproductive years.”
VERIFIED
A source explicitly attributes this definition to the World Health Organization, describing menopause as a point in a continuum of life stages marking the end of reproductive years.
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web search NEUTRAL — Menopause is a normal event in a woman's life and is a natural part of aging.[33] While all women experience perimenopause and menopause, symptoms can vary widely from woman to woman.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menopause
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web search NEUTRAL — The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines menopause as a point in a continuum of life stages for women, normally between the ages of 45 and 55, which marks the end of their reproductive years as par…
https://www.christiandaily.com/news/why-do-churches-see-the-…
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web search NEUTRAL — Menopause is a natural phase in the life of a woman that signifies the end of her reproductive years. It is defined as the. cessation of spontaneous menstrual periods for a continuous period of 12 mon…
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385090746_Menopause…
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Claim 11: “Menopause can also result in the weakening of the pelvic support structures, increasing the risk of pelvic organ prolapse.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 12: “the World Health Organisation (WHO), which states, “menopause is often not discussed within families, communities, workplaces, or health-care settings””
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent web search results contain the exact phrasing attributed to the WHO regarding the lack of discussion of menopause in families, communities, workplaces, and healthcare settings.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The director-general of the World Health Organization is the chief executive officer of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the principal advisor to the United Nations on matters pertaining to glo…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Director-General_of_the_World_…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) which coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. It is headquartered in Geneva,…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The World Health Organization (WHO) ranked the health systems of its 191 member states in its World Health Report 2000. It provided a framework and measurement approach to examine and compare aspects …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization_rank…
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 13: “some hot flush triggers can include: consuming alcohol or caffeine, eating spicy foods, feeling stressed, being somewhere hot”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 14: “The thinning of the vaginal wall after menopause increases the chances of lesions and tears, thereby increasing the risk of HIV transmission during vaginal sex.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 15: “Chemotherapy and radiation therapy... can cause menopause.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 16: “some factors can accelerate ovary decline, resulting in earlier menopause. These can include smoking, alcohol use, and less physical activity.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm that smoking and low physical activity (along with other lifestyle factors) can accelerate ovarian decline and lead to earlier menopause.
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web search NEUTRAL — Several factors can accelerate ovarian aging beyond chronological age. Smoking speeds up egg loss and can advance menopause by 1 to 4 years. Genetic factors, autoimmune conditions, and prior ovarian s…
https://riteaid.com/health/age-related-fertility-decline
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web search NEUTRAL — Understand early menopause, its causes, symptoms, and how it’s diagnosed. Learn what early menopause means for your long-term health and discover effective treatment and support options.
https://www.goldmanlaboratories.com/blogs/blog/early-menopau…
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web search NEUTRAL — Stress, tobacco use—particularly smoking—unhealthy diets high in refined carbohydrates and low in legumes and fruits, inadequate sleep, and both very low and excessively high levels of physical activi…
https://indianexpress.com/article/health-wellness/women-meno…
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Claim 17: “Loss of bone density at menopause is a significant contributor to higher rates of osteoporosis and fractures.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
verified
Claim 18: “As you enter your late 30s, your ovaries start making less of the hormones that control your period. These are called oestrogen and progesterone.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The provided Wikipedia results for this claim are irrelevant (referring to the word 'in' and 'inch'), and no web search results were provided for this specific claim.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Killed in action (KIA) is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their personnel at the hands of enemy or hostile forces at the moment of action. The United S…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killed_in_action
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The inch (symbol: in or ″) is a unit of length in the British Imperial and the United States customary systems of measurement. It is equal to ⁠1/36⁠ yard or ⁠1/12⁠ of a foot. Derived from the Roman un…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inch
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — IN, In or in may refer to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In
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Claim 19: “Pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 20: “Premature menopause may result from the ovaries not making the usual levels of hormones. It can happen from gene changes or an autoimmune disease.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 21: “Body composition and cardiovascular risk can also be affected by the significant decline in oestrogen levels after menopause.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 22: “Pregnancy after menopause is unlikely without fertility treatment that involves the use of donor eggs or previously frozen embryos.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 23: “Other risk factors include surgery to remove the ovaries or certain cancer treatments.”
CORROBORATED
Evidence from PMC and other health-related search results confirms that bilateral oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) and certain cancer treatments induce menopause.
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web search NEUTRAL — Bilateral oophorectomy and certain cancer treatments are thought to induce early menopause, resulting in heightened bone mineral density loss, which may subsequently lead to osteoporosis and an elevat…
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11944197/
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web search NEUTRAL — Since oophorectomy in healthy women predates the commercialization of BRCA mutations screens, genomics cannot explain entirely why physicians and cancer specialists recommend this procedure for women …
https://www.academia.edu/171693010/Discourse_The_Gendered_Ov…
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web search NEUTRAL — Discover essential information on oophorectomy and menopause. Learn about the impacts, recovery, and expert advice to navigate this significant life change.
https://miror.in/oophorectomy-and-menopause/
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.