Perimenopause and menopause shouldn’t be so mysterious to so many people — but they are. Half the population will experience this transition, yet it remains underresearched, underreported and often trivialized. While public conversation has grown, what’s been missing is rigorous, independent journalism that treats menopause as both a health issue and a cultural force.
The 19th’s Menopause newsletter fills that gap.
Created and written by veteran health journalist Jennifer Gerson, the newsletter approaches menopause with clarity, authority and curiosity. It does not promise quick fixes or trend-driven solutions. Instead, it delivers evidence-based reporting that helps readers understand what is happening in their bodies — and how those changes intersect with work, relationships, identity and culture.
Each edition blends original reporting, expert interviews and sharp cultural analysis. The newsletter covers widely recognized symptoms like hot flashes, while also tackling topics that are often overlooked or stigmatized, including sexual health and mental well-being. It situates personal experiences within broader systemic issues, such as the long-standing lack of investment in menopause research and the ways gender bias has shaped medical understanding.
The voice is central to its success: authoritative but conversational, deeply informed but accessible. Gerson writes with precision and empathy, treating readers as informed participants rather than passive consumers. The newsletter’s clean, reader-friendly design supports this approach, using clear structure and thoughtful pacing to make complex information digestible without oversimplifying it.
The response from readers reflects both the need for and the trust in this work. The newsletter maintains an average open rate above 60 percent — far exceeding industry benchmarks — and continues to grow steadily. Readers regularly write in with deeply personal stories, describing the newsletter as a trusted space where they can find reliable information without being marketed to or dismissed.
The newsletter has also driven broader newsroom impact. It has informed and expanded The 19th’s coverage of menopause-related issues, including reporting on misinformation in the wellness industry and shifts in federal health policy affecting hormone therapy.
The submitted editions demonstrate the range and depth of the work: from reported pieces on medical research and treatment options to culturally grounded explorations of how menopause is experienced and perceived. Across formats, the newsletter consistently delivers journalism that is explanatory, human-centered and rooted in public service.
The 19th’s menopause newsletter stands out because it treats a widely shared but poorly understood experience with the seriousness it deserves — combining rigorous reporting, a distinctive voice and a clear commitment to serving readers with accurate, meaningful information.
