Menopause Talk Is Everywhere—Shonali Sabherwal Breaks Down The Cultural Shift

It seems like everybody and their mother is talking about menopause these days—and for good reason. For too long, women's health was treated as a taboo subject, only whispered behind closed curtains or dismissed as overdramatic. But now, the conversation is finally shifting, slowly but undeniably. Menopause has almost become a hot topic, with even celebrities like Halle Berry or Drew Barrymore opening up about their personal journeys with this life phase.

In a recent Rulebreaker Show episode, nutritionist Shonali Sabherwal spoke about this long-overdue trend. Speaking to Shaili Chopra, founder of SheThePeople and Gytree, she emphasised the importance of open conversations on menopause and perimenopause, not only among women in this stage, but with men and the younger generation too.

Symptoms, Stigma, and Solutions

Shonali Sabherwal explained why menopause and perimenopause have become the 'obsession' of our conversations. "Women have become more vocal because of social media. We now have a platform where we can air our views, and I think that's what changed the game. Women have become more [vocal]," she said.

Sabherwal shared how women today have more access to resources, allowing them to openly discuss their experiences. "Women today want to talk about their experiences, or talk about who they are. You heard your mother talk less about menopause, but now you talk about it. You're also exposed to a lot more [information].

However, as empowering as this openness is, Sabherwal also spoke about the flip side: the overload of information. In the age of wellness influencers and countless expert opinions, navigating accurate resources has become an unprecedented challenge. Excess information can lead to more health anxiety and decision paralysis. 

"I believe that you're exposed to a lot more, so you're going through a lot more. From a nutrition lens, you're exposed to a lot more junk and a lot more environmental stressors. So you're going through a lot more and triggering yourself at a young age, and it's causing a lot more problems; a difficult menopause," Sabherwal shared.

Sabherwal further discussed the generation gap in menopause experiences. "Menopause should be painless, like our mothers went through it. A lot of the [complex menopause today] is because you have given yourself the wrong stimuli at a younger age, like your 20s or 30s. Every decade determines the next," she said.

Sabherwal also shared how women can ensure a smoother menopause journey right from their early days. "If you expose yourself to too much hydrogenated fat, or too much dairy or sugar, that's going to have its ramifications. Menopause is not just the function of testosterone or progesterone. It is also the function of insulin and protein."

Shonali Sabherwal spoke about the importance of consuming whole, nutrient-dense foods that support hormonal balance long before the signs of perimenopause even begin. She emphasised that menopause is not an isolated event that arrives in your late 40s or early 50s. It's a culmination of years of nutritional and environmental choices.

While it is encouraging to see the stigma around menopause slowly dissolve, it remains crucial that the conversation remains rooted in credible and holistic guidance. In this increasingly informed digital era, the goal should not just be to talk about menopause, but also to cut through the noise and seek more evidence-based resources.