Menopause Support Project
Empowered to empower women through every stage
Breaking the silence on menopause
The Menopause Support Project is an ambitious initiative addressing a critical health gap for African women living in Germany and Europe. Menopause affects 50% of women yet remains shrouded in silence — especially within African communities. This project provides culturally relevant education, support, and healthcare navigation.
Our mission: to break the silence around menopause in African communities through education, advocacy, and community support, while addressing healthcare disparities that leave African women underserved and overlooked.
African women often experience menopause differently — with symptoms starting 2–3 years earlier, lasting longer (10+ years vs 6.5 years), and often more severe. Yet only 15–20% receive treatment compared to 40% of European women. This project aims to change that reality.
The disparities are real
Comprehensive support through five pillars
Education & Awareness
Free workshops in multiple languages covering menopause basics, symptoms, treatment options, and self-care strategies.
Support Groups
Safe, confidential spaces for African women to share experiences, learn from each other, and build community.
Health Ambassadors
Trained community members providing one-on-one support, healthcare navigation, and cultural bridging in your language.
Digital Health Support
Help accessing the Vera menopause app (now covered by German public insurance) plus culturally relevant guidance to maximise its benefits.
Healthcare Navigation
Help accessing quality menopause care, preparing for appointments, and advocating for yourself in the German healthcare system.
A free menopause app is now available
German public health insurance now covers the Vera menopause app — menopause support is finally recognised as essential healthcare. Vera is the first menopause app approved as a "Digital Health Application" (DiGA) in Germany, offering evidence-based guidance and symptom tracking, fully covered by your statutory insurance.
How to get it — free
Ask your doctor or psychotherapist for a prescription
Send the prescription to your health insurance
Receive an activation code
Download & use Vera free (typically 90 days)
How ExSSA helps you use Vera
Language support
Navigate the app in your language with culturally relevant interpretation.
Getting prescribed
Many doctors don’t know Vera yet — we help you advocate for it.
Cultural context
We help you understand what works for African women specifically.
Community support
Discuss your Vera experience with other African women in our groups.
Why you need both: Vera app + ExSSA support
Technology and community working together
| Feature | Vera app alone | Vera app + ExSSA |
|---|---|---|
| Language | German (likely English) | ✅ 6+ languages with cultural interpretation |
| Cultural relevance | General European perspective | ✅ Tailored to African women’s experiences |
| Getting prescribed | On your own | ✅ Help navigating the doctor conversation |
| Support type | Digital only | ✅ Digital + human + community |
| Stigma support | None | ✅ Safe spaces to discuss cultural taboos |
| Ongoing support | 90 days typical | ✅ Continuous community & ambassadors |
Vera provides the tools. ExSSA ensures you can actually use them.
African women at every stage
Ages 35–45: Preparing
Early education about what to expect, prevention strategies, and building health literacy for the future.
Ages 40–55: Experiencing
Immediate symptom management, treatment access, emotional support, and healthcare navigation.
Ages 55+: Thriving
Long-term health focus, chronic disease prevention, community leadership, and mentoring younger women.
From the community
What we aim to achieve in 3 years
Join us in breaking the silence
Every woman deserves support. Every voice matters.
Ways to support or access services
Phone
+49 30 XXXX XXXX
Mon–Fri 9:00–17:00
menopause@exssa-germany.org
Response within 48 hours
+49 XXX XXX XXXX
Join our support community
Support Groups
Berlin · Frankfurt
Hamburg · Munich
Monthly meetings + online
Not yet a member?
Become a member of ExSSA Germany today and support women’s empowerment across all our projects.