Menopause is in need of a radical rebranding

The Japanese word for menopause is konenki, which means renewal and energy, a time of growth, rebirth and renewed purpose. I dare say it is no coincidence that Japanese women are reported to experience a lower severity of menopausal symptoms.

- Lisa Ray

Why is it that so many other milestones of a woman's life, like puberty and pregnancy, are celebrated, but not menopause? Menopause is in need of a radical rebranding. In India, where taboos around female life stages are gradually breaking down through social awareness campaigns, it is remarkable that menopause is dismissed and hidden. Both women and men find it hard to acknowledge. This, despite the fact that while not all women will conceive, 100 per cent of women will experience menopause and perimenopausal symptoms, ranging from hot flashes to brain fog, to mood swings to even depression.

"But my mother never complained," a 40-year-old man protested.

"Did you ever think, maybe she had no choice, no outlet, no support from her family, no sympathetic ear? Maybe she had to silently bear it," I retorted. The man in question paused. "Tell me more. I want to be educated," he said.