Michelle Obama has revealed the challenges of navigating menopause while in the public eye, including a hot flash aboard Marine One with her husband, former President Barack Obama. In the latest episode of her podcast, the former first lady described the sensation as 'somebody put a furnace in my core and turned it on high,' leaving her feeling overwhelmed.
Obama, 56, discussed how menopause affected her work and marriage, noting that Barack was 'surrounded by women in his cabinet, many going through menopause' and learned to respond simply by turning up the air conditioning. She emphasised that women's health issues are often ignored: 'Half of us are going through this but we’re living like it’s not happening.'
The podcast, produced by the Obamas' company Higher Ground, also tackled societal pressures on women regarding weight, ageing, and image. Obama lamented that 'women of a certain age lose our value in society, unlike men, who gain value the older they get.' She criticised the expectation for women to 'not look their age' and to 'snap back' after childbirth.
Obstetrician Sharon Malone, a guest on the show, highlighted the double standard that 'women’s value goes up with how little space you take up' and stressed that thinness is not synonymous with health. Obama, who stands 5ft 11in, affirmed her own body shape, saying 'I have hips, and thighs.'
The conversation also addressed workplace challenges, with Obama questioning whether men could tolerate severe period cramps or hot flashes while maintaining professional composure. She called for greater societal understanding and celebration of women's resilience.
