The Power of In-Person Connections: Insights from Winona Women

This case study draws from survey responses of 101 women ages 40–60 across the U.S., gathered from the Winona Women’s Group and the Winona Ambassador Team. Many shared a simple but powerful truth: Menopause can feel lonely, but finding real-life connection changes everything.

Our participants represented a wide range of experiences, from perimenopause through postmenopause, with varying symptoms and life circumstances. Some balanced careers, others caregiving or grandparenting, and all faced unique challenges in daily life. This diversity highlights how menopause impacts women across various contexts — and why supportive spaces are essential at every stage.

Top reasons women wanted to attend a Meetup included:

• Wanting to feel less alone

• Needing real-life connection

• Not knowing where else to go

Women described their emotions before their first event as a mix of nervousness, hope, and curiosity. Meetups were designed to extend care beyond medical treatment, offering women spaces for real-life connection, to feel seen, and build friendships that support healing alongside care.

Number of participants surveyed/interviewed: 101

Methods used: Online survey with open and scaled responses; qualitative comments and quotes collected

Groups represented: Women’s Group, Ambassador Team

Before attending, 15% of respondents felt isolated or unsupported in their menopause journey.

The most common challenges included:

• Disrupted sleep

• Mood shifts

• Loss of identity

• Social withdrawal

Key barriers to support, before Winona, included:

• Geographic distance

• Emotional hesitancy

• A lack of relatable information

Many found the idea of walking into a room of strangers daunting — yet nearly all women described feeling uplifted and validated once they connected with peers.

The data tells a clear story: In-person connection sparks transformation.

Women described attending Meetups as “empowering,” “transformative,” “safe,” and even “the first time I didn’t feel crazy.”

• 76% of participants said they’ve made new friends or meaningful connections.

• 68% reported improvements in confidence, reduced stress, better mood, or a stronger willingness to seek treatment.

For many, these events weren’t just social — they were a turning point. This suggests that even one event can be a meaningful step toward feeling better supported.

Participant voices:

• “I finally felt an overall sense of well-being.”

• “My mood stability, sleep quality, and stress levels all improved.”

• “It was the first time I didn’t feel so alone.”

Friendships forged in these spaces protect and even improve health, not just provide social support.

• Friendships reduced stress for 19% of participants.

• Connection improved sleep or outlook for 18% of women.

• After bonding with peers, 65% felt more comfortable discussing menopause, HRT, and treatment options.

• Most strikingly, 63% said these friendships helped them “feel like themselves again.”

Not every woman involved has been able to attend. The most common barriers for attendance included the following:

• 15% cited distance from events was too far.

• 16% cited timing or scheduling conflicts.

• 36% expressed social nervousness or lacked awareness about the event.

Women also shared what would make attendance easier:

• “More local gatherings”

• “Virtual or hybrid options”

• “More advanced notice”

• “Events that balance structured discussion and informal connection”

Encouragingly, the majority of women planned to attend again or recommend a Meetup to others. That’s why making events more local and accessible is a priority — so more women can benefit.

This study makes one truth clear — Connection is medicine!

• In-person events build trust and reduce feelings of shame.

• Female friendships during menopause aren’t a luxury — they’re foundational to thriving.

• Community belongs at the center of care, right alongside treatment and education.

These insights offer a roadmap for Winona: Continue expanding in-person and hybrid gatherings, strengthen peer support, and create more spaces where women truly feel seen and heard.

The future of Winona’s community lies in blending medical treatment with meaningful human connection, ensuring that care addresses the whole person — body, mind, and spirit.

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