What happens when nature decides you are no longer desirable? As an undesirable human, your hair starts falling, skin sallows, dries and wrinkles, your muscles and bones start to wither away. You are decimated bit by bit, when nature decides you as a woman are no longer desirable since you can’t reproduce. Menopause happens.
What is Menopause?
Menopause is a time when you have gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. It happens on an average at age 52. It’s a natural process that happens when ovaries stop producing reproductive hormones. When it happens due to surgery or medical treatment, it is called induced menopause.
What menopause does to your body?
For many women, menopause can be one of the most challenging phases of life. After menopause, women may lose 2–3% of muscle mass and bone density every year. This is especially concerning in India, where 88–98% of women are deficient in Vitamin D, and nearly 70% consume less than 70% of the recommended daily calcium intake.
But there is another dimension of menopause that is just as critical: the drastic fall in estrogen and progesterone.
The role of estrogen and progesterone
Estrogen is one of the most vital hormones in a woman’s body. It keeps skin soft and supple, maintains shiny hair, supports bone density, regulates brain function and appetite, and even protects against cognitive decline.
Progesterone also plays an essential role as it supports sleep, thyroid function, bone health, and mental well-being.After menopause, progesterone production stops almost completely, and estrogen levels can drop to as low as 10% of their previous levels.
The impact of uncared-for menopause
When menopause is not proactively managed, it can significantly disrupt quality of life. Women may experience hot and cold flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood swings, mild depression, urinary urgency, weight changes, and joint or muscle pain.
Many women begin to quietly lose their sense of self. Rapid changes in skin, hair, body composition, and energy can shake confidence and alter how they feel in their own bodies.
A silent taboo
Despite its profound impact, menopause remains a taboo topic. Even women from privileged backgrounds, with education and access to healthcare, often hesitate to talk about it. Its symptoms are dismissed as “just a part of life,” even though they don’t have to be.
Menopause Requires Care
It is not something to endure silently. It requires medical attention, informed guidance, and proactive lifestyle interventions to protect long-term health.
Many women also don’t realise that the effects of menopause go far beyond the obvious symptoms. The hormonal decline impacts almost every system in the body from metabolism to cardiovascular health.
Estrogen, for example, plays a major role in keeping blood vessels flexible. When its levels fall, the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease increases. Similarly, the sudden drop in progesterone can disrupt sleep cycles, making women more fatigued, irritable, and vulnerable to anxiety. These changes are not “in the head”; they are biological realities that deserve validation and treatment.
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Another often ignored truth is that it does not affect every woman in the same way. Genetics, diet, stress levels, lifestyle, and even geography influence symptom severity.
Indian women, particularly, may experience more intense symptoms due to widespread nutrient deficiencies, pollution exposure, and limited conversations around reproductive aging. This makes awareness and early intervention even more essential.
The most powerful step anyone can take is to create space for honest dialogue. Normalising these conversations helps women identify early warning signs and seek help instead of suffering silently. Empowering women with knowledge ensures they approach menopause prepared, not afraid.
Talk to the women you love. Encourage them to speak openly about menopause and seek support from qualified medical professionals. Breaking the silence can change lives.
About the author: Bhanusree Lohia is a Delhi-based international relations enthusiast and a keen observer of the Indian political landscape.
