As menopause approaches earlier for many Indian women, they find themselves battling a plethora of symptoms and inadequate support systems while societal conversations remain taboo.**
The Silent Struggle: Indian Women's Fight Against Menopause Taboos**
The Silent Struggle: Indian Women's Fight Against Menopause Taboos**
Indian women face unique challenges during menopause, exacerbated by a lack of resources and societal stigma.**
In India, menopause remains shrouded in stigma, leaving countless women grappling with physical and emotional challenges without sufficient resources. Recent studies indicate that Indian women typically experience menopause in their late 40s, earlier than their Western counterparts, with some facing it at just 30 years old. Dr. Ruma Satwik, a gynaecologist from Delhi, notes that the average age of menopause in India is around 47 years, typically occurring between 44 and 50. Factors such as nutrition, environmental conditions, and genetics play a role in these differences.
Despite the increasing number of women entering menopause—projected to reach 400 million by 2026—awareness and support are severely lacking. Many women, like Sangeeta, a janitor in Delhi, find themselves overwhelmed by symptoms such as hot flashes and insomnia while unaware of existing healthcare resources that could assist them.
Television host Mini Mathur, who faced numerous symptoms post-50, highlights the difficulty of finding a responsive healthcare provider in India. "I had to go to Austria to find a doctor who understood my concerns," she said, illustrating the struggle for proper medical attention.
This lack of awareness extends to rural areas, where women often have little access to specialized training or care. Activist Atul Sharma recounts her struggles to find help while living in rural Uttar Pradesh, where menopausal issues are dismissed, often with a simple, "It happens to every woman."
Despite the scarcity of information, some women are turning to social media for guidance. They are following international health experts and celebrities advocating for menopause knowledge, which has become a lifeline in a country where such topics are rarely discussed.
As many women including Ms Mathur pursue further education on menopause management techniques abroad, they aim to improve health access and education back home. The need for heightened awareness and proper support for menopausal women in India is echoed by experts like Dr Satwik, who emphasize that discussions on menopause must parallel those on fertility and adolescent health.
With increasing recognition that women's health extends beyond reproductive years, there is a motion in the healthcare community to bridge the gap in resources available to menopausal women throughout India.
Despite the increasing number of women entering menopause—projected to reach 400 million by 2026—awareness and support are severely lacking. Many women, like Sangeeta, a janitor in Delhi, find themselves overwhelmed by symptoms such as hot flashes and insomnia while unaware of existing healthcare resources that could assist them.
Television host Mini Mathur, who faced numerous symptoms post-50, highlights the difficulty of finding a responsive healthcare provider in India. "I had to go to Austria to find a doctor who understood my concerns," she said, illustrating the struggle for proper medical attention.
This lack of awareness extends to rural areas, where women often have little access to specialized training or care. Activist Atul Sharma recounts her struggles to find help while living in rural Uttar Pradesh, where menopausal issues are dismissed, often with a simple, "It happens to every woman."
Despite the scarcity of information, some women are turning to social media for guidance. They are following international health experts and celebrities advocating for menopause knowledge, which has become a lifeline in a country where such topics are rarely discussed.
As many women including Ms Mathur pursue further education on menopause management techniques abroad, they aim to improve health access and education back home. The need for heightened awareness and proper support for menopausal women in India is echoed by experts like Dr Satwik, who emphasize that discussions on menopause must parallel those on fertility and adolescent health.
With increasing recognition that women's health extends beyond reproductive years, there is a motion in the healthcare community to bridge the gap in resources available to menopausal women throughout India.
