'I'm In Menopause; So What?': Genelia Deshmukh On Defying Ageism

In a recent episode of The Shaili Chopra Show, actress Genelia Deshmukh had a candid conversation with Shaili Chopra, the founder of SheThePeople and Gytree, about family,  motherhood, ageing, menopause, and more.

Shaili Chopra and Genelia Deshmukh's Take on Menopause

Genelia Deshmukh highlighted menopause as a natural and important stage of a woman's life, comparing the bodily changes and hormonal imbalances to those experienced during pregnancy. She advocated for open conversations about the topic and said, “It is an important conversation. It is something that sees imbalances and body changes like it did during pregnancy. It is the next step of life.”

Inspired by Dr. Nozer Sheriar, Genelia emphasized a balanced approach to managing menopause that includes both diet and, when necessary, medicine. She also addressed the stigma surrounding supplements, pointing out the irony that many people are comfortable with cosmetic enhancements like hair extensions and false eyelashes but are hesitant to take supplements to improve their health.  

According to Genelia, supplements are a necessary part of modern life due to lifestyle changes, regardless of whether a person is a vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Echoing this sentiment, Shaili Chopra pointed out that despite being a country with abundant sunshine, India has a high rate of Vitamin D deficiency, further underscoring the importance of supplements to address nutritional gaps. The overall message was that taking supplements should be normalized and viewed as a proactive step toward maintaining health from a young age.

Addressing the Shame Attached to Menopause

The conversation highlighted the shame and taboo surrounding menopause, particularly the  belief that it signifies a woman is "getting old." This is especially poignant for Indian women, who often reach menopause earlier than their global counterparts. The discussion also touched upon the issue of self-inflicted shame.

Shaili recounted her conversation with Dr. Sheriar, who emphasised the importance of distinguishing between menopause and aging. A woman might experience menopause at an early age but not necessarily show signs of aging for some time. This distinction is crucial in combating the shameassociated with the condition.

Genelia Deshmukh added that many women avoid talking about menopause because they fear it will make them appear older. She challenged this notion by celebrating the beauty of aging, stating, "Looking older is beautiful." She expressed how much she enjoys the changes that come with age and appreciates being different from her 18-year-old self.

Unless, we as women start accepting the concepts of menopause or even menstruation and dissipate the shame attached to it, the stigma around them will be persistent.