Menopausal women are invisible to society at large. In India, the number of women aged 45 and older is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades. In 2011, there were about 96 million women in India aged 45 and older, and this number is expected to increase to 401 million by 2026 who will need care. However, this topic continues to be shrouded in misinformation and often considered a taboo.
Menopause is a natural biological process, average age of onset being 46 years in India; symptoms usually last between four and eight years and women live for a good 25+ years after menopause so this is not a full stop to Life. While longer life expectancies for men and women have been a societal success story but there is huge gap in women health.
It is to be noted that if proper information, community support and health care is not available in these transition years then there are greater chances for diseases to develop in old age. It is necessary that women find, discuss and receive support in these years. Interestingly, its a topic met with silence and remains a stigma for various reasons:
- Reluctance to discuss female sexuality
- Ageism in society obsessed with youth
- Hysteria associated with Menopause
- Misrepresentation of menopausal women in media
Menopause is not a standalone issue, it has direct or indirect impact on – Family Income, Workplaces and Relationships. Normalising menopause as a life event calls for greater research, investment and cultural acceptance. Governments need to emphasize on a life course approach to health and well-being of menopausal women along with ensuring access to appropriate health information and services to promote healthy aging and a high quality of life before, during and after menopause
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