An emotional journey into the mystery of the menopause

Despite the fact that around half of the world's population goes through the menopause and many women suffer so much that it significantly affects their everyday lives, this phase of life is still one of the least researched topics in medicine. Typical symptoms such as hot flushes, sleep problems, concentration and memory difficulties or an increased susceptibility to depression are widespread - but their causes remain largely unclear.

In her film, director Louise Unmack Kjeldsen, who is herself in the middle of this phase of life, sets out on a personal search for clues. She wants to find out what role the falling oestrogen level plays for the body and brain - and why the menopause has received so little scientific attention for so long.

On her journey, Kjeldsen meets leading international experts who are investigating whether the symptoms of the menopause could be linked to the significantly higher risk of Alzheimer's in women, depressive illnesses or the strikingly high suicide rate in women aged between 45 and 54.
The film also explores the question of why proven therapies and medication are often not prescribed.

The film breaks taboos, clarifies and questions prejudices. It shows how centuries of misinformation and social attitudes have led to many sufferers suffering in silence and how knowledge about the menopause has remained incomplete to this day. With scientific precision and personal candour, Louise Unmack Kjeldsen sheds new light on a subject that urgently deserves more attention.

Director: Louise Unmack Kjeldsen | Documentary film | 75 minutes | Germany/ Denmark/ Norway | 2026 | FSK 12

Admission 5 Euro