Let's Take Pause.
Every woman who lives long enough will experience menopause. It's time we talked about it — across every generation
Our Mission.
The Pause Initiative advocates for menopause research, awareness, and the open dialogue that removes stigma across generations. We empower younger women to anticipate and advocate for their health, and support midlife women navigating this universal transition.
The reality of menopause in America.
Every woman will experience menopause if she lives long enough — yet millions navigate this transition without the information, support, or healthcare guidance they need. Despite affecting half the population, it remains one of the most overlooked areas of women's health. Gaps in research, physician training, and public awareness leave women searching for answers during a stage of life that shapes their physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being.
When women have information, they have the power to advocate for their health.
75M
U.S. women in peri-, meno-, or postmenopause
31%
of residency programs have a menopause curriculum
A National Snapshot.
6,000
women enter menopause before midnight tonight
75%
of women who seek care for symptoms remain untreated
80%
of OB-GYN residents feel underprepared
60%+
of residency programs have a menopause curriculum
go untreated — many with moderate-to-severe symptoms lack effective care
Closer to home:
43%
of residency programs have a menopause curriculum
never receive a recommendation from
a provider
Oregon
Oregon took action.
In 2025, became one of the first states to require menopause coverage
Brain Health
Sexual Health
Menopause affects far more than hot flashes
Sleep
Urinary
Its symptoms can touch nearly every system in the body:
Heart Health
Vision
Bone Density
Joints
Mood & Mental Health
Skin & Hair
Metabolism
Balance
of NIH funding went to women's health research, 2013–2023
8.8%
Funding Gap
The gaps we're working to close.
of drug development targets female-specific conditions
Innovation Gap
4%
of a woman's life may be spent in postmenopause
Impact Gap
1/3
Menopause is not just a midlife issue, it is a women's health issue that spans generations. The Pause Initiative was created to help change that reality by encouraging open dialogue, increasing awareness, and advocating for the research and education women deserve.
Some women experience health issues for years that may be misdiagnosed and are actually related to perimenopause and menopause. Women can face challenges when trying to understand changes happening in their own bodies, which are often not freely discussed among their peers or with medical providers. When women have information, they have the power to advocate for their health.
The why behind The Pause Initiative.
The Pause
In Action.
MENOMondays
Monthly conversations with physicians and experts, bringing menopause education to communities.
Community Education
Presentations, workshops, and speaking events that bring menopause into everyday conversation.
Advocacy & Awareness
Working with leaders and organizations to advance support for women's health.
Menopause Awareness Month
Advocated for Coos County's official June Menopause Awareness Month proclamation
Building Partnerships
Collaborating with providers, nonprofits, and public health leaders across Oregon.
Next-Gen Advocacy
Empowering young women to understand their health long before menopause begins.
About Brinkley.
Born in Bandon, Oregon and raised in Northern California, Brinkley spent her childhood returning to her family's cranberry farm on Oregon's southern coast. As a fifth-generation cranberry grower, she developed a deep appreciation for hard work, community, and the traditions that connect generations — from rodeo arenas and belt buckles to a degree from UC Davis.
Her most meaningful work began when her mother's experience opened her eyes to the gaps in women's health education and menopause awareness. Today, Brinkley has returned to the community that shaped her and founded The Pause Initiative — working to bring menopause out of the shadows so women of every generation have the information, resources, and support to advocate for their health.
Fun fact: a fifth-generation cranberry grower carrying on a family legacy rooted in Oregon agriculture.