Birkenhead writer tackles the menopause in new short story anthology

‘From Menarche to Menopause’ by Cath Holland is included in Menopause: The Anthology, to be published by the award-winning Arachne Press on Wednesday, October 18.

Her story – the opening piece in the book - is a piece poking fun at how women and girls are subject to a ‘pink tax’ on pretty much everything, in that they pay more for everyday items.

It concentrates on how females are exploited financially throughout their reproductive lives, and pressured into buying the unnecessary after menstrual periods cease.

"Menstrual products cost a lot of money, and females can’t avoid using pads and tampons each month for up to 30 years or longer,’ said Cath.

"There is now more attention on the menopause generally, which is great, but peri, menopausal and post-menopausal women find themselves on the receiving end of marketing campaigns for other products which are the most part, unnecessary.

"You can even get ‘menopause clothes’ these days. Much of this stuff doesn’t make this transition into a new life any easier. On top of that, I see it as a class issue, where working class women and those on lower incomes are not invited to the party, so to speak."

Cath will perform a version of ‘From Menarche to Menopause’ at Fem De La Femme Menopause Special downstairs at The Everyman in Liverpool, also on 18 Oct.

Fem de la Femme host a monthly comedy and spoken word night for female comics, poets, and writers. The Menopause Special is brought in conjunction with Writing on The Wall.

Cath has been published by Mslexia Magazine, Dead Ink Books, Blink-Ink, and Fictive Dream amongst many other places, both in print and online. Her short story Rush Hour was nominated for a BIFFY - Best British and Irish Flash Fiction of the Year.

She has also appeared on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour talking about her writing, and recently performed spoken word pieces concerned with misogyny, grief, and the loneliness of the modern age on BBC Radio Merseyside.