This week, instead of visiting the Fox 17 studio, Dr. Diana Bitner checked in from Colombo, Sri Lanka—half a world away—where she was invited to speak at the Asian Society for Endometriosis conference. It’s an extraordinary gathering of clinicians from across Asia who are deeply committed to improving care for women experiencing endometriosis and pelvic pain, and reminding us all that menopause is universal.
And as always, Dr. Bitner brought her passion for breaking the silence around women’s health right along with her.
Women’s Health Is Global—and So Are Our Stories
In Sri Lanka, Dr. Bitner was reminded of something we talk about often at true.–women everywhere share similar bodies, similar challenges, and similar needs. Yes, it took 15 hours in the air to get there—but in every meaningful way, the world is not as big as it feels. Women in every country experience menopause. Women in every country deserve answers, relief, and compassionate care.
At the conference, clinicians from across Asia spoke openly about menopause, hormone therapy, vaginal estrogen, and NK3 receptor therapies. The difference? Many countries do not yet have access to the full range of treatment options available here in the U.S. The desire to help women is universal, but the resources are uneven.
This is where collaboration matters. We learn from one another. We share what works, what doesn’t, and what women everywhere keep telling us: “I thought I was prepared—until it happened to me.”
Meet Thakori, a Woman Navigating Menopause in Sri Lanka
If you know Dr. Bitner, you know she always brings things back to the lived experience of a real woman. On this trip, that woman is Thakori.
Thakori is 45 and lives in Galle, a coastal city south of Colombo. In Sri Lanka, menopause tends to begin earlier—often around age 48—so when her periods disappeared and the hot flashes and night sweats began, she thought she’d have a few more years. And even though she works as a nurse, she found herself surprised by how deeply the symptoms affected her daily life.
In a culture where heat is simply a part of life, symptoms like hot flashes are often dismissed. “Everyone is hot,” people say. But Thakori knew something was different. Night sweats were keeping her awake. Brain fog was affecting her work. And she felt alone in it.
Fortunately, she had access to clinicians who recognized what was happening. She began estrogen therapy and, within weeks, felt like herself again.
Her story is familiar to us because we hear versions of it every day: This is happening to me. I didn’t expect it to feel like this. And I need help.
No Matter Where You Live, Menopause Deserves Attention
The message Dr. Bitner sends from Sri Lanka is simple and powerful:
Menopause happens to every woman.
Suffering in silence should not be the norm—anywhere.
And every woman deserves access to care that helps her live fully.
From Sri Lanka to West Michigan, the themes are the same: women are strong, resilient, and often too willing to “just deal with it.” But relief is possible. Knowledge is power. Advocacy matters.
Bringing Global Learning Back Home
As Dr. Bitner connects with colleagues around the world, she brings their insights—along with their challenges—back to our team at true. These conversations strengthen our mission: to give women evidence-based treatment, individualized plans, and the confidence to navigate every phase of life with clarity.
We’re proud of Dr. Bitner’s work on the global stage, and we’re grateful to her for her tireless pursuit of quality care for women worldwide.
Dr. B will be back in Michigan soon, but she signed off from Sri Lanka with this reminder: Wherever you are in the world, your menopause journey matters. You do not have to go through it alone. And you deserve to feel better.