Sudha Murty Preparing Her Husband For Menopause Is Groundbreaking

Menopause, a natural milestone in a woman's journey, has too long dwelled in shadows of secrecy and misconceptions, particularly in India, where even discussing menstruation is met with whispers and uneasy glances. Broaching the topic of bodily changes with fathers or husbands feels akin to scaling Mount Everest. Shattering this stigma, philanthropist Sudha Murty, an inspiration to women globally, recently shared her experiences and insights during an interview with Shaili Chopra, founder of SheThePeople and Gytree, on The Rule Breaker show. Murty candidly navigated the often-misunderstood phase of menopause, emphasising the importance of women embracing conversations with one another and their male counterparts to promote awareness and combat the existing stigma surrounding reproductive health.

Sudha Murty's Childhood Education On Menopause

Sudha Murty's upbringing was far from conventional, thanks to her father's profession as a gynaecologist. From a young age, she was immersed in conversations about women's health, including menopause. 

With a sense of foresight, Sudha Murty's father prepared her for menopause, emphasizing that it was not a disease but a natural withdrawal of hormones."My dad said, now your hormones are high, so your skin glows. A day will come, the hormones will be withdrawn, and menopause comes," she recalls her father's guidance with fondness and gratitude that later empowered her to face menopause with confidence.

In a society where discussing menstruation is considered taboo, Sudha Murty's father encouraged his daughters to embrace these natural processes, challenging age-old stigmas. "He made it a point to accept these things as normal. Don't go by what others talk," she emphasizes, advocating for a shift in societal attitudes toward women's bodies.

Periods, Menopause And The 'Invisible Woman Syndrome'

Menopause, often dubbed the 'Invisible Woman Syndrome,' becomes a focal point in Sudha Murty's narrative. As society places disproportionate value on youth, women entering menopause often find themselves feeling 'unseen, overlooked, and patronized.' Sudha Murty's story challenges this narrative, urging women to reclaim their visibility and embrace menopause as a transformative phase rather than a societal decline.

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Discussing her father's openness about menstruation, she emphasises, "There is nothing wrong with that. It is not a curse or anything impure. It has to be part of your hormone balancing."

This early exposure to understanding the natural processes of a woman's body equipped her with the knowledge to face menopause with confidence. As Murty transitions into menopause, her father's teachings become her guiding light. She articulates, "When you come to get menopause, you should not think it's a disease. It's a withdrawal of your hormones. That time, you should work a little more than normal." 

Armed with this awareness, Murty tackled menopause head-on, choosing to work harder during this transformative phase. "No, I knew when the hormones started retreating. I said no, I'm getting into the hormone-less zone," challenging the notion of menopause as a dreaded phase, and proving that this phase is an integral part of a woman's life, deserving acknowledgement and respect. 

As Murty gracefully ages, she shares insights into embracing the changes that come with menopause. Acknowledging the wandering descent of hormones, Murty advocates acceptance and distraction during challenging times. "I should accept my skin will wrinkle...I am going to put a little more weight. I should accept that sometimes there is a butterfly here," echoing a message of self-love and resilience, urging women to embrace their bodies and prioritize their well-being. 

She rejects the notion of menopause as a 'barren land,' instead embracing it as a phase that demands more, not less, from women. "I should walk more; I should exercise more...So, when you sit down, remember, because this is happening, and do something else which interests you," she advises, challenging the stereotypes that portray menopause as a period of decline.

Preparing the Ones Closest to You

What makes Sudha Murty's approach even more groundbreaking is her insistence on extending the conversation beyond personal experiences. She not only advocates for women to be well-informed about menopause but also champions the idea of sharing this knowledge with their male counterparts.

Recounting a moment of unexpected tears about her children studying abroad, Sudha Murty transparently communicated the hormonal influence to her husband, Mr Narayan Murty, "In case I am upset for something without reason, I think it is a hormone retreat. Laugh over it and don't take it seriously." In involving her husband in the conversation, Murty not only prepared him for the changes she would undergo but also created a supportive environment where both partners could navigate this phase together.

The ripple effect of this transparency extends beyond the couple to the entire family. By normalizing discussions about menopause, Murty emphasizes a cultural shift where the family becomes a support system rather than a source of ignorance or misunderstanding.

Sudha Murty's journey through menopause is not just her own; it is a reflection of the collective experience of women everywhere. Through her experiences, she urges women to claim their narrative, shatter stereotypes, and demand a space where menopause is celebrated rather than whispered about in shame.