India, Aug. 28 -- Menopause - the natural cessation of reproductive hormones typically in a woman's 40s or 50s - is a major life transition, often accompanied by hot flashes, weight gain, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and mood swings. On Sunday, entrepreneur Namita Thapar, 48, brought the conversation front and centre by sharing her perimenopause journey on Instagram. She detailed symptoms including body aches, low energy, abdominal weight gain, and declining bone health, writing, "This is a very tough phase for women." While still seen as a taboo topic, menopause is beginning to get long-overdue visibility, with more public figures breaking the silence. Dr Minakshi Manchanda, Associate Director of Psychiatry at Asian Hospital, Faridabad, notes, "When celebrities speak out, it normalises menopause, reduces stigma, and encourages women to seek help." This shift comes at a crucial time. A recent FP Analytics report projects that Central and Southern Asia will experience the sharpest rise in menopausal women by 2050. By 2030, nearly 500 million women aged 45-55 will be in transition, with India contributing a significant share. According to Dr Rahul Manchanda, senior consultant, endoscopic gynaecology, PSRI Hospital, most women may experience: He adds, "While hot flashes, irregular cycles, and mild mood changes are normal, women should not ignore severe or unusual symptoms such as very heavy bleeding, bleeding after menopause, sudden pelvic pain, chest discomfort, or unexplained weight loss."...