Brain fog. Sleepless nights. Anxiety. Exhaustion. For millions of women, menopause affects far more than their periods. Yet in many Indian families, it remains one of the least understood and least discussed health issues of midlife.
By Dr Preeti Khillan
“I thought I was losing my mind.”
Those were the words Lucy, a 49-year-old professional and mother of two, used when she walked into my clinic.
She was forgetting appointments, struggling to concentrate at work, waking repeatedly during the night and becoming emotional over things that never used to bother her. Once energetic and confident, she now felt exhausted, overwhelmed and worried that something was seriously wrong.
“I thought I had dementia or some rare disease,” she told me.
Instead, Lucy was experiencing perimenopause, the years leading up to menopause.
As a gynaecologist, I hear similar stories almost every week.
Many women are shocked to discover that symptoms such as anxiety, brain fog, poor sleep, fatigue, joint pain, mood changes and loss of confidence can all be related to menopause. They expected hot flushes. They did not expect their memory, emotions, work performance and relationships to be affected.
By 2030, an estimated 47 million women worldwide will enter menopause every year.
Yet despite affecting half the population, menopause remains one of the most misunderstood and least discussed stages of a woman’s life.
More Than Just Hot Flushes
Most people think menopause is simply about periods stopping and the occasional hot flush.
The reality is very different.
Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop producing substantial amounts of oestrogen and progesterone. While menopause itself is a point in time, the transition leading up to it can last several years and is often when symptoms are most troublesome.
Oestrogen receptors exist throughout the body, including the brain, heart, bones, bladder, skin and reproductive organs. As hormone levels fluctuate and decline, women can experience a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms.
Hot flushes and night sweats are common, but so are sleep disturbances, mood changes, anxiety, joint pain, fatigue, vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms and loss of sexual desire.
For some women, these symptoms are mild. For others, they can be life changing.
The Brain Fog Nobody Talks About
One of the most distressing symptoms women report is “brain fog”.
Women describe forgetting names, losing words mid sentence, misplacing everyday items or struggling to focus during meetings.
These changes can be frightening.
Many women worry they are developing dementia or another neurological condition.
The reassuring news is that menopausal brain fog is usually temporary and is not a sign of dementia.
Hormonal fluctuations play an important role, but poor sleep, stress, anxiety and fatigue also contribute heavily.
Unfortunately, many women never connect these symptoms to menopause and spend years searching for answers.
The Indian Silence Around Menopause
While awareness is improving, menopause remains a taboo topic in many Indian and South Asian households.
We openly discuss pregnancy, childbirth and raising children. Menopause, however, is often treated as a private matter that should simply be endured.
Many women tell me nobody ever spoke to them about what to expect.
Some believed they were becoming weak.
Others thought their symptoms were simply part of ageing.
Many suffered silently because they felt embarrassed discussing issues such as mood changes, sexual health, vaginal dryness or urinary symptoms.
Even among highly educated communities, awareness can be surprisingly poor.
In my experience, some healthcare professionals from multicultural backgrounds have limited training and understanding of menopause, which further contributes to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
The result is that many women continue to struggle unnecessarily.
When Women Put Everyone Else First
The timing of menopause often makes it particularly challenging.
Many women are simultaneously caring for teenage children, supporting ageing parents, helping extended family members and managing demanding careers.
They are often the emotional backbone of the family.
When symptoms begin affecting sleep, memory, mood and energy levels, many women simply push through.
Instead of seeking help, they prioritise everyone else’s needs.
Unfortunately, this often comes at the expense of their own health and wellbeing.
The Hidden Health Risks Beyond Midlife
Menopause is not just about symptoms.
It also brings important long term health considerations.
After menopause, women face increased risks of osteoporosis, heart disease and metabolic conditions such as diabetes.
One in three women over the age of 50 will experience an osteoporosis related fracture.
Another commonly overlooked issue is recurrent urinary tract infections.
Declining oestrogen levels can weaken the natural protective barriers of the urinary tract and alter the vaginal microbiome, making infections more common.
Yet most women are unaware of the connection between menopause and urinary tract infections.
You Don’t Have to Just ‘Put Up With It’
One of the biggest myths surrounding menopause is that women simply have to tolerate the symptoms.
That is no longer true.
Today, there are a range of effective treatment options available.
For many women, lifestyle changes can make a remarkable difference.
Regular exercise improves mood, memory, sleep quality, bone health and cardiovascular health. A healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and healthy fats supports both physical and mental wellbeing.
Stress management through yoga, meditation, mindfulness or relaxation techniques can also be beneficial.
Social connection is equally important. Women who maintain strong social networks often cope better with the emotional and psychological challenges of menopause.
For women with moderate to severe symptoms, menopausal hormone therapy can be highly effective and, for many, life changing. Non hormonal treatment options are also available.
The key message is simple: help exists.
Breaking the Cycle for the Next Generation
Every year on October 18, World Menopause Awareness Day encourages women, families and healthcare professionals to have open conversations about menopause.
Australia has also recently increased its focus on menopause awareness and education, recognising its impact on women’s health, wellbeing and workforce participation.
However, meaningful change will not come from governments alone.
It starts with conversations at home.
It starts when daughters understand what their mothers are experiencing.
It starts when husbands and partners recognise that menopause is more than hot flushes.
It starts when workplaces support women during one of the most important health transitions of their lives.
Most importantly, it starts when women feel comfortable seeking help without fear, embarrassment or stigma.
A New Chapter, Not the End of the Story
Menopause is not the end of youth, productivity or purpose.
It is a natural transition into a new phase of life.
With greater awareness, better education and access to appropriate medical care, women can navigate menopause with confidence, dignity and good health.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to menopause, speak with your GP and discuss whether a referral to a gynaecologist or women’s health specialist may be appropriate.
You do not have to suffer in silence.
This can be published as a separate infographic box.
FAST FACTS: MENOPAUSE IN NUMBERS
• 47 million women worldwide will enter menopause every year by 2030
• Average age of menopause: 51 years
• 1 in 5 women experience severe symptoms that substantially affect daily life
• 75% of women experience hot flushes and night sweats
• 1 in 3 women over 50 will experience an osteoporosis related fracture
• 82% of women are unaware that menopause increases the risk of urinary tract infections
• Perimenopause can last 4 to 10 years
• World Menopause Awareness Day: October 18
WHERE TO GET HELP
✔ Speak with your GP
✔ Ask about referral to a gynaecologist or menopause specialist
✔ Visit the Australasian Menopause Society for evidence based information
✔ Access support through Jean Hailes for Women’s Health
✔ Join World Menopause Awareness Day events in your community
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
