Alanis Morissette has offered a candid take on menopause. The singer explained how the hormonal changes associated with the stage of life have affected her understanding of tolerance, identity and the expectations placed on women.
She made the remarks during a conversation with Amy Poehler on the podcast Good Hang, where the pair discussed ageing, relationships and the influence of patriarchy on women's experiences.
Morissette described the biological drive associated with reproduction as something that can encourage women to tolerate situations they might otherwise challenge.
'The hormones we have in this body is the procreative imperative. Put a baby in me, I'm gonna tolerate everything,' she said.
She then explained how that experience changes as women approach menopause, when hormonal shifts can alter their emotional responses and sense of identity.
'Then you get closer to menopause and progesterone, all the hormones are at zero,' Morissette said. 'So you're all this sort of scaffolding of cotton balls and cozy tolerance, they go away.'
The comments sparked discussion online, with users sharing the clip on Reddit.
Alanis Morissette on menopause: “Everything’s through the male gaze. The hormones we have in this body are the procreative imperative: put a baby in me, I’m going to tolerate everything. Then you get closer to menopause, and all this scaffolding of cozy tolerance goes away.”
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Menopause Changes Women's Tolerance
The singer argued that women's experiences have often been shaped by a culture that prioritises the male gaze and reproductive expectations.
Her remark about tolerating everything was delivered as part of that broader discussion, rather than as a literal statement about pregnancy or a medical explanation of menopause.
Morissette described the hormonal changes associated with menopause as removing what she called a 'scaffolding' that had encouraged women to remain accommodating.
She also talked about growing older. During the conversation, she described menopause as a period of transformation involving identity, relationships and personal values.
'Well menopause is just magic,' she said earlier in the discussion.
She also spoke about the process of shedding the emotional and psychological barriers that people accumulate throughout their lives.
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Amy Poehler Discusses Women's Anger
The conversation also explored the relationship between women's anger and their ability to challenge expectations.
Morissette referred to historical practices in which women experiencing premenstrual symptoms were reportedly sought out for town hall meetings because they were considered more likely to speak directly about what their communities needed.
She suggested that women's anger and willingness to challenge authority have sometimes been treated as inconvenient, despite their potential value in public discussions.
Morissette has frequently spoken about emotional experiences in her music, including anger, relationships and the pressures of fame. Her breakthrough album, Jagged Little Pill, established her as a prominent voice in alternative rock during the 1990s.
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On Ageing and Menopause
Morissette's remarks come as she continues to speak openly about ageing and the changes that have accompanied her life in her fifties.
The singer has described menopause as a 'truth serum', suggesting that the experience has helped her become more comfortable expressing her authentic self.
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In a June 2026 interview with The Sunday Times, she discussed hormone replacement therapy and the role it plays in managing her own menopause experience.
She also spoke about the pressure placed on women to maintain youthful appearances, explaining that she has become more comfortable embracing the changes that come with age.
Morissette's comments on Good Hang continued that conversation, with the singer describing menopause as a period that can alter how women understand themselves and their relationships.
The singer's remarks have resonated with online audiences because they address a subject that is often discussed primarily physical symptoms.
