Menopause remains a taboo subject in many South Asian communities, where cultural stigma, misinformation and traditional beliefs can prevent women from speaking openly about their experiences.
Challenging these myths and encouraging honest conversations are essential to improving awareness, ensuring women receive the right support and protecting their wellbeing during this important stage of life.
Asian Voice has spoken to a few experts to explore the misconceptions surrounding menopause and the importance of creating safe spaces where women can share their experiences without fear or embarrassment.
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Dr Hina Shahid, a London-based GP specialising in family medicine with a particular interest in women’s health, said, “Menopause is a natural life transition, yet in some South Asian families it remains something women are expected to endure quietly. Research also suggests that South Asian women may experience menopause earlier, making timely awareness particularly important. The conversation often focuses on hot flushes, but menopause can also bring anxiety, low mood, poor sleep and difficulties with concentration. Genitourinary symptoms—vaginal dryness, discomfort during sex, urinary urgency or recurrent urinary infections—can be especially difficult to talk about where reproductive and sexual health are already taboo. These symptoms are often treatable, yet embarrassment, shame or fear of judgement may prevent women from seeking help.”
“Silence can make women feel isolated, ashamed or as though they are failing to cope, while symptoms are dismissed as stress or ageing. We must avoid placing the responsibility solely on women to speak up: healthcare professionals need to ask sensitively, listen without assumptions and offer accessible, culturally responsive care. Open conversations within families, between generations and in clinical settings can help women understand what is happening and access support. Menopause should never be something women feel they have to navigate alone, “ she added.
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Founder of South Asian Voices Bristol CIC, Sheetal Jethwa said, ““I think one of the biggest problems with menopause is that women are still suffering in silence because they don't feel comfortable talking about it. For many women, particularly in South Asian communities, it's not something we have grown up discussing openly, and that needs to change. Menopause can affect our physical and mental health, our confidence, our relationships and how we feel about ourselves. Anxiety, low mood and feeling overwhelmed can be difficult to cope with, especially when we don't understand what's happening or feel unable to talk about it. This can leave women feeling isolated and reluctant to seek support.”
“Through my work with South Asian Voices Bristol CIC, I want women to know they are not alone. We need to have these conversations at home, in our communities, in workplaces and with healthcare professionals. For me, breaking the taboo starts with talking, listening and understanding. No woman should feel embarrassed or ashamed about going through menopause. We deserve to be heard, taken seriously and supported. The more openly we talk about menopause, the easier it becomes for women to share their experiences and get the help they need,” she added.
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Founder and Chief Executive of Cysters, Neelam Heera-Shergill said, “We are raised in cultures, South Asian or otherwise, where certain parts of our bodies are simply not discussed. Families can be supportive and these conversations still don’t happen, so people reach menopause with no language for it. Additionally, there's no direct translation for menopause in some South Asian languages, with menopause being spoken about as a transaction rather than anything that needs wider support. Without that language, you don’t think immediately that this is menopause. You think you are losing your memory, or becoming difficult, or failing at a job you used to be good at. People tell us they hid it from their partners, apologised to their children and carried on at work as though nothing had changed. The phrase we hear most at Cysters is “I thought it was just me.” That is how shame and isolation take hold, and the anxiety is heavier when you are also spending energy making sure nobody notices. It is also why people don’t seek help. I find it hard to talk to a doctor about my own health, and I run a health charity. You feel like an inconvenience before you have walked through the door. Add to that the fear of not being believed, and many people say nothing for years. Your experience is valid, it matters, and you are not alone.”
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Madhu Kapoor, Workplace Menstruation and Menopause Consultant and Menopause Doula, Founder of M for Menopause said, “Within some South Asian communities, menopause remains a conversation behind closed doors. Myths such as ‘menopause only affects older women’, ‘it's just hot flushes’ or ‘every woman goes through it, so stop complaining’ can minimise its physical and psychological impact. Cultural expectations can add another layer. Many women grow up putting others before themselves, fulfilling responsibilities as daughters, wives, mothers or daughters-in-law. Admitting they are struggling may feel like weakness or failure. Despite being surrounded by women throughout my life, menopause was rarely discussed. When I experienced anxiety, loss of confidence and emotional changes, I struggled to recognise myself. I felt frightened, isolated and ashamed that I could no longer cope as I once had.”
“Silence can deepen these feelings, leaving women reluctant to seek support, sometimes until they reach breaking point. We must challenge these misconceptions and recognise that no two menopause experiences are the same. Breaking the silence is not solely a woman's responsibility. Families, communities and healthcare professionals all have a role in ensuring women feel heard, understood and supported, “ she added.
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Kiran Singh, Founder of The Sattva Collective CIC and midlife lifestyle coach said, “In the South Asian community, menopause is often treated as a shameful secret rather than a natural biological transition. We are culturally conditioned to be the 'good girls' who carry our struggles quietly, consistently prioritising the needs of our families over our own well-being. This profound cultural silence has a devastating impact on women's mental health. When a woman is navigating the intense physical and emotional shifts of perimenopause without open dialogue, she begins to internalise her struggles. Symptoms like anxiety, low mood, and brain fog are often misinterpreted as personal failings rather than hormonal changes. This breeds deep-rooted shame and extreme isolation. She begins to believe that something is fundamentally wrong with her, which makes her incredibly reluctant to seek medical support for fear of being judged, dismissed, or labelled. By breaking this generational cycle of silence and creating culturally safe spaces to share our stories, we strip away the shame. Open conversation isn't just about raising awareness; it is a vital lifeline that empowers South Asian women to reclaim their health, demand the support they deserve, and step into midlife feeling seen, heard, and validated.”
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Dr Radhika Vohra, GP with Extended Role in Women's Health, Menopause Specialist with CoSRH MCPD said, “In my experience, challenging South Asian taboos around menopause starts with making it safe for women to talk honestly about their experiences. Often, deep silence and social isolation can trap women in painful loneliness, while misconceptions and a lack of support worsen emotional distress, often triggering anxiety and undermining self-worth. Embarrassment and the fear of dismissal can grow inner shame and make seeking help harder. We must educate ourselves to recognise what research shows: women of colour experience menopause uniquely. Language barriers, cultural expectations, and socioeconomic disadvantage often create steeper hurdles to accessing care. In the UK, major studies highlight stark disparities: white women are far more likely to receive hormone replacement therapy, while women of colour face significantly lower prescription rates; with Black and Asian women roughly four to five times less likely to be prescribed HRT. Raising awareness means ensuring these conversations reach those whose stories too often go unheard. Healthcare professionals should be trained to identify and proactively start sensitive dialogues rather than waiting for women to find the words. Families and workplaces must learn to listen without judgement. Every woman deserves to feel informed, validated, and supported, with care that honours her individual needs and mental wellbeing.”
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Meera Bhogal, women’s health coach, menopause educator and public speaker said, “When we brush menopause under the carpet because it is considered embarrassing, shameful or simply something women must endure, we risk far more than silence. We risk women’s physical and mental health. Menopause is a natural stage of life, yet cultural beliefs, socioeconomic circumstances and stigma can profoundly influence how women experience it. Research suggests South Asian women may experience menopause earlier than their white counterparts, meaning symptoms can be overlooked or misunderstood.
For many women, anxiety, low mood, loss of confidence and emotional distress are compounded by silence. They may feel isolated, ashamed or unable to explain what is happening to them. Some reach breaking point without ever recognising that hormonal changes may be contributing to their struggles.”
“Through my workshops, podcast, social media and Don’t Pause for Menopause Symposium, I work to replace shame with knowledge and empowerment. My recent collaboration with Pyramid Pharmacy brings free women’s wellness events directly into local communities. We are seeing positive change, but awareness alone is not enough. We need culturally sensitive education, accessible healthcare and conversations that include men and younger generations. No woman should suffer in silence simply because her community has never learnt how to talk about menopause,” she added.
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Inderpal Kaur, Volunteer Lead Organiser at Nirmal Pure-Mind said, ““Menopause should never be a subject of shame, silence or misunderstanding. Within South Asian communities, cultural taboos and generational attitudes can leave women feeling isolated, anxious and unsupported. Through Nirmal Pure-Mind, we are passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces where women can share experiences, gain knowledge and feel heard without fear of judgement. We support individuals to find their voice and create a powerful platform for honest conversations that challenge misconceptions and break down barriers. We are humbled to have helped bring these conversations to Asian radio platforms, BBC CWR Radio and Sikh Channel television, while continuing to raise awareness through social media.”
“Silence surrounding menopause can affect a woman’s confidence, relationships and mental wellbeing. When women feel unable to speak openly, they may struggle alone rather than seek the support they deserve. Breaking this stigma requires a collective effort involving families, workplaces, younger generations and men. Through awareness, education and collaboration, we can replace shame with understanding and isolation with support. Menopause is a natural stage of life, not something to hide or endure in silence. Every woman deserves to be heard, respected and empowered to seek support without fear of judgement. Let’s keep these conversations going, creating a ripple effect that grows into waves of change, breaking down barriers and making it easier for future generations to speak openly, confidently and without shame,” she added.
