Have you ever wondered why every menopause treatment plan starts with a diet? If you’re a woman navigating the maze of perimenopause or menopause, you’ve likely encountered the ubiquitous emphasis on controlling weight. Journalist Cole Kazdin’s recent essay, Why Does Menopause Treatment Always Include a Diet?, sheds light on this pervasive phenomenon—and it’s more complex than just calories and pounds.
Weight gain: The first ‘symptom’ everyone points to—but why?
Perimenopause often introduces a slew of changes, with weight gain being the most immediate and noticeable. But as Kazdin points out, this symptom quickly becomes the “problem” to fix. The cultural reflex to control weight can sometimes overshadow the real hormonal and emotional upheaval happening beneath the surface.
So, why is the conversation always about dieting? Does this approach truly address the challenges women face during menopause? Or does it unintentionally reinforce unhealthy attitudes toward food and body image?
The data behind dieting and menopause treatment
Research shows that up to 70% of women experience weight gain during menopause, largely due to shifts in metabolism, muscle mass, and hormone levels. Medical professionals often recommend dietary interventions as a front-line strategy because diet is a controllable factor—unlike genetics or aging.
However, the dieting narrative can backfire. It sometimes leads to restrictive eating patterns and worsened mental health, especially for those with past or present eating disorders. The paradox? Women are told to prioritize health but often at the expense of joy and body acceptance.
Breaking the cycle: A holistic look at menopause wellness
So, what if the emphasis on diet shifted from restriction to nourishment? What if menopause treatment plans integrated emotional wellness, physical activity tailored to changing bodies, and practical tools for conception and fertility where relevant?
At FamilyFoundry, we believe in empowering women with comprehensive knowledge and resources that go beyond dieting mandates—because menopause intersects with many facets of health, including fertility. For instance, innovative at-home fertility support tools, like the BabyMaker At-Home Insemination Kit, offer women and couples agency and control in their family-building journey without added stress.
Data-driven fertility support: What science tells us
MakeAMom reports an impressive 67% success rate among clients using their reusable home insemination systems. This kind of data-driven approach to fertility complements the understanding that women’s health is multifaceted and requires personalized solutions, especially amid natural life transitions like menopause.
Key takeaways for women navigating menopause and fertility:
- Weight gain is a biological reality, not a personal failure. Treat it as a signal, not a sentence.
- Diet should be reframed as nourishment, not punishment. Focus on what fuels your body and mind.
- Emotional and mental wellness are critical. Integrate mindfulness and seek support.
- Use data-driven, accessible tools to empower your fertility journey at home, reducing stress and increasing success likelihood.
- Advocate for your unique health needs and challenge diet-centric narratives.
What’s next?
Navigating menopause means redefining your relationship with your body. It means rejecting one-size-fits-all diet culture and embracing a holistic, science-backed approach to wellness. Have you experienced pressure to diet as part of menopause treatment? How has it impacted your journey?
Join the conversation and explore resources designed to honor your body’s complexity and your dreams for family. Because your health deserves more than just ‘diet.’
For those interested in practical, empowering fertility options, check out more about the BabyMaker At-Home Insemination Kit designed to address specific sensitivities and provide reusable, discreet support.
Read the full original essay by Cole Kazdin here: Why Does Menopause Treatment Always Include a Diet?
We’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below about your menopause or fertility experiences and how you’ve managed cultural expectations around diet and body image.