Navigating Menopause: How Global Trends in Health and Wellness are Shaping the Conversation

In recent years, the health and wellness space has seen a major shift as individuals across the globe prioritize holistic wellbeing, functional medicine, and mental health. Alongside these changes, one critical issue that’s finally starting to gain the attention it deserves is menopause. Traditionally an overlooked and under-discussed topic, menopause is now emerging as a global health priority, driven by conversations in the wellness industry, as well as increased funding and innovation in women’s health.

Global Trends: The Rise of Menopause Awareness

Globally, women’s health is taking center stage in various industries, from tech startups to wellness brands, as more attention is given to the menopause transition. In many countries, menopause is being openly discussed across media channels, workplaces, and within medical communities.

UK’s Menopause Movement: The United Kingdom has been at the forefront of menopause awareness, especially in the workplace. Celebrities and medical experts like Davina McCall have contributed significantly to breaking the stigma through documentaries, social media campaigns, and advocacy. In addition, large corporations such as HSBC and Channel 4 have implemented menopause policies to support women, offering flexible working conditions and access to health services.

Menopause Funding Boom: 2023 saw a surge in funding for women’s health startups, with a particular focus on menopause. Several FemTech companies around the world are now addressing menopause-specific health challenges with innovative solutions. Startups such as Caria and PEPPY in the UK have raised millions of dollars to provide digital health solutions tailored to menopause. In the U.S., Gennev and Elektra Health Health are developing menopause care platforms that offer telehealth services, symptom trackers, and wellness plans for women in menopause.

This funding boom is not just limited to tech—nutritional supplements, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) options, and wellness products designed for menopausal women are also seeing a surge in investment. With menopause expected to affect over 1 billion women by 2025, investors are starting to realize the massive market potential.

Ayurveda and Menopause in India: A Growing Dialogue

In India, the conversation around menopause has traditionally been muted, much like in other parts of the world. Cultural taboos often prevent women from discussing the challenges they face during this phase of life, leading to inadequate support and healthcare access. However, change is slowly taking place.

The Menoveda Approach: In India, where Ayurveda has long been a trusted form of medicine, brands like Menoveda are leading the charge in offering natural and holistic menopause solutions. By leveraging the wisdom of Ayurveda, Menoveda is creating products that focus on balancing the body and mind during menopause, offering herbal remedies and lifestyle guidance that have been used for centuries to ease this transition.

Ayurveda is particularly relevant in the Indian context because it provides a more holistic and accessible approach to managing menopause, compared to conventional western treatments like HRT. Shatavari, Ashwagandha, and Triphala are well-known Ayurvedic herbs that help balance hormones, reduce stress, and improve digestion during menopause.

Despite these advancements, there’s still a long way to go. Studies show that most women in India enter menopause earlier than their western counterparts, with the average age of onset being 46 years, compared to 51 years globally. This early onset increases the risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues. Unfortunately, a lack of education and awareness leaves many Indian women unprepared to deal with these consequences.

The Role of Functional Medicine

Alongside these regional developments, functional medicine is gaining momentum worldwide as a holistic solution to managing menopause. Functional medicine focuses on treating the body as an interconnected system rather than isolating symptoms. By addressing the root causes of hormonal imbalances, women can manage symptoms more effectively and maintain better long-term health.

For menopausal women, this means looking beyond symptoms like hot flashes or mood swings, and addressing hormonal health, gut health, mental wellbeing, and sleep quality together. Many women are turning to personalized health plans, combining hormonal testing, natural supplements, and dietary adjustments tailored to their unique needs.

Mental Health and Menopause

As global awareness grows around mental health, its connection to menopause is becoming more recognized. Symptoms like depression, anxiety, and brain fog are often overlooked but are a significant part of the menopause experience for many women.

The U.S. and Europe Lead the Way: Countries like the U.S. and the UK are now paying more attention to the mental health aspects of menopause. Companies are developing new therapeutic interventions and digital tools to address cognitive health during menopause. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is now being recommended as a treatment for anxiety and mood swings related to menopause, alongside hormone therapies.

Indian Scenario: In India, mental health during menopause remains largely under discussed. Many women suffer in silence, not fully aware that their mood swings or anxiety may be linked to hormonal changes. Menoveda seeks to change this narrative by integrating Ayurvedic mental health solutions into its offerings, emphasizing the role of stress management, mindfulness, and meditation during menopause.

The Global Push for Menopause Awareness in the Workplace

Across the world, menopause is slowly entering the conversation in corporate settings. While the UK and some parts of Europe have made strides in implementing menopause-friendly workplace policies, other regions are still catching up.

In India, menopause in the workplace is still a largely unexplored issue. However, with more women entering the workforce and conversations about gender equality taking center stage, businesses are starting to pay attention. Encouragingly, companies in tech hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai are beginning to consider more inclusive health policies, including mental health days and flexible working hours for women dealing with menopause.

Global corporations like PepsiCo and Unilever have already launched initiatives aimed at supporting women through menopause, offering flexible schedules, employee resource groups, and access to healthcare consultations. As more companies recognize the value of retaining experienced female employees, menopause will become a critical issue in diversity and inclusion programs.

Looking Ahead: A Global Shift in Menopause Awareness

As conversations around menopause continue to grow, one thing is clear: there is a global shift happening. Governments are beginning to prioritize women’s health in their policies, healthcare professionals are expanding their knowledge of menopause, and companies are integrating menopause into their wellness programs.

However, for countries like India, there is still much work to be done. As brands like Menoveda push for more education, accessible healthcare, and holistic solutions, the hope is that menopause will soon be regarded as a natural and supported stage of life, both globally and locally.

Final Thoughts

The global focus on wellness, mental health, and women’s health has set the stage for a revolution in how we perceive menopause. With rising investments, innovative products, and an increasing openness to discuss this critical phase of life, women are being empowered to take control of their menopause journeys like never before. At Menoveda we are committed to contributing to this change by offering holistic solutions rooted in Ayurveda and modern wellness practices.

As we look ahead, it’s clear that menopause will no longer be an invisible issue – it will be recognized, respected, and supported globally.