Introduction

Menopause seems to be an even more hush-hush subject within Indian women, than periods. In our culture, growing older is equated with starting to cross the threshold between life and death. Add to that, handling symptoms when you might not even understand what you are going through, is an extra burden to carry.

In simple words menopause is that time in a woman’s life, when her periods stop permanently. It is the end of a woman’s reproductive life also known as “change of life”. The average age of when menopause usually sets in is around 50 but you can start getting symptoms of menopause by your late 40s. Menopause is not an abrupt phenomenon. The process may take years where symptoms can start off without even being noticed and then gradually build up.

Sometimes menopause may set in earlier due to a medical treatment. Studies also suggest that menopause sets in earlier for smokers than non-smokers.

Symptoms of menopause

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Irregular periods
• Mood changes
• Chills
• Thinning hair
• Dry skin
• Weight gain
• Osteoporosis

Menopause is just the end the reproductive life of a woman, but it doesn’t signal any other change…. There is so much more to a woman than her ability to produce children and it is about time we acknowledge that. As women, we can continue to exercise, have an active sex life, continue all regular activities and life as we were all the years gone by. However, during the period or when we are going through menopause, we need to be gentle with ourselves and encourage family and friends to be gentle with us as well.