Kate Henshaw Advocates Menopause Awareness
Pecohub Nollywood veteran Kate Henshaw has taken a bold step in advocating for women’s health.
This is apt as menopause and hormonal changes are natural stages in a woman’s life, yet in Nigeria, discussions around these topics remain limited.
Many women experience symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, skin dryness, and reduced elasticity without realizing they are related to hormonal shifts.
These symptoms can affect daily life and overall wellness, but cultural stigmas and a lack of accessible, evidence-based information often leave women under-supported.
In a statement signed by the Marketing Manager, New Heights Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacist Olakunle Ogunlowo and made available to PUNCH Online on Friday, Henshaw joined health experts to push for better awareness and science-led management of menopause at the Nigerian launch of Efamol Evening Primrose Oil.
The supplement was introduced during the 2026 Continuing Education Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, an event that brought together pharmacists, healthcare professionals and industry participants to discuss evolving approaches to patient care and preventive health.
Speaking at the conference, Henshaw argued that menopause remains insufficiently understood despite affecting a significant proportion of women. Drawing on her personal experience, she called for more open conversations and improved access to scientifically grounded information to help women manage hormonal changes more effectively.
“I never knew the symptoms and effects of menopause until just after age 50, when I realised that what I was feeling in my body were actually menopausal symptoms,” she said.
Henshaw noted that while hormonal changes are natural, managing them requires informed choices and appropriate support, urging women to prioritise their overall wellbeing beyond physical appearance.
Managing Director of Pontisalus Pharmacy, Ibukun Tola-Ogunyemi, said demand for pharmacy-recommended and clinically supported wellness products is rising as Nigerian consumers become more discerning about health claims. Pharmacists, she argued, increasingly serve as gatekeepers in a crowded supplements market, helping patients distinguish evidence-based options from unverified remedies.
Mosunmola Dosumu, a menopause advocate and coach, meanwhile called for efforts to normalise conversations around menopause, describing it as a natural life stage rather than a medical abnormality. With adequate knowledge, professional guidance and appropriate care, she said, women can manage its symptoms effectively and maintain quality of life.
According to her, hormonal changes, particularly reduced oestrogen levels, can impact skin health, hydration and general comfort, adding that nutritional support, including essential fatty acids, can help alleviate some symptoms.
Chief Executive Officer of New Heights Pharmaceuticals Limited, Ogheneochuko Omaruaye, said the company has put in place distribution channels to ensure availability of the product across pharmacies nationwide.
He added that the introduction of the supplement was in response to increasing demand for clinically proven wellness solutions.
The product, which is available to consumers online is backed by clinical studies, and has been associated with improvements in skin condition, reduction in eczema-related symptoms, and relief from premenstrual discomfort, making it particularly relevant in today’s wellness-conscious environment where consumers are seeking solutions that are both natural and scientifically validated.
Experts at the event emphasised the importance of shifting attention from symptomatic treatment to preventive care and internal health management, noting that informed decision-making remains key to improved health outcomes.
