NextGenParenting

Ever noticed how every menopause article seems to start with the dreaded 'weight gain warning'? It’s like clockwork: you hit perimenopause and suddenly your body decides to throw a curveball, and the very first symptom you (and everyone else) notice is — you guessed it — weight gain. But here’s the kicker — as Cole Kazdin points out in this heartfelt Time essay, this focus on dieting during menopause isn’t just unhelpful, it can actually fuel eating disorders and anxiety. Let’s unpack why the standard menopause treatment “always including a diet” might be doing more harm than good — and what modern solutions, including cutting-edge fertility tech and mindset shifts, can offer instead.

The Weight Gain Obsession: What’s Really Going On?

If you’re starting menopause, your hormones are having a wild party, and weight gain is often the uninvited guest. But here’s the problem: this weight gain is immediately framed as a problem that must be 'fixed' — by dieting, calorie counting, and sometimes extreme approaches. This knee-jerk reaction is so entrenched that it overshadows the complexity of what menopause really means for your body and mind.

• Did you know that stress and anxiety related to weight can actually worsen menopausal symptoms?
• Diet culture thrives on guilt, perfectionism, and shame — all of which are terrible bedfellows during a life transition already packed with change.

So, why do we keep circling back to diet as the only solution? Because culturally, our worth is unfairly linked to our waistlines. But here’s the juicy twist: science and lived experience are both telling us this narrative is outdated and harmful.

The Dark Side of Menopause Diet Culture

Cole Kazdin’s essay shines a spotlight on something crucial — the way diet advice during menopause can mask real health concerns and push vulnerable women toward disordered eating patterns.

Think about it: you’re told your symptoms will improve if you just “eat better,” but the messaging is often vague and moralizing. Instead of promoting balanced nutrition and self-compassion, it feeds into a cycle of blame.

And here’s the ironic kicker: many women turn to assisted conception and fertility technologies during perimenopause or after menopause (yes, it’s possible!), and the stress around body image only adds barriers to emotional well-being.

So, What’s the New Roadmap?

Okay, enough with the gloom — let’s talk solutions that actually empower.

First: ditch the all-or-nothing diet mindset. Focus instead on how food makes you feel, your energy levels, and your mental clarity. Nutritional science supports intuitive eating and individualized approaches way more than cookie-cutter diets.

Second: integrate technology that respects your body’s rhythm and your personal challenges. Whether you’re exploring conception options or managing symptoms, there are tools designed with sensitivity in mind. For example, the innovative MakeAMom at-home insemination kits cater to diverse needs — including those with physical sensitivities or fertility hurdles — making family-building more accessible without added stress.

Third: nurture your mental health fiercely. Menopause is a natural phase, but the mindset around it can make or break your experience. Mindfulness apps, supportive communities, and counseling can help counteract the damaging messages diet culture throws your way.

Menopause, Body Autonomy, and Tech: A New Era

We’re living in a time when technology and self-knowledge combine to rewrite what it means to age and build families. No longer do you have to accept shame or silence about changes in your body. With tools that empower, plus a cultural shift toward embracing body diversity and mental well-being, menopause can be a chapter of strength rather than struggle.

So, next time you encounter that “menopause + diet” combo advice, ask yourself: is this about health, or control? And remember, you’re not alone. There’s a community and a toolkit out there ready to support your journey on your terms.

Final Thought

How would your menopause story change if you stopped chasing weight loss and started chasing wellness, confidence, and joy? Could this be the secret to unlocking a healthier, happier chapter?

We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences below. Because when it comes to menopause, the only rule should be whatever works for you — no guilt attached.

Have you ever noticed how weight gain during menopause is treated like a scandal? It’s almost automatic: you hit perimenopause, and suddenly everyone is talking about what you 'should' eat or how you need to 'fix' your body. It’s exhausting, frustrating, and frankly, unfair. This is exactly what Cole Kazdin dives into in her powerful essay, “Why Does Menopause Treatment Always Include a Diet?” published by Time. If you haven’t read it yet, it’s worth the read.

Kazdin points out something that many women feel but rarely vocalize — weight gain during perimenopause becomes the first symptom people notice, and immediately it’s framed as a problem to be solved. But why is it that weight gain—an incredibly natural part of many women’s transition through menopause—is treated as a failure or a medical emergency requiring a dietary intervention? Could this fixate us on the wrong things?

Breaking the Diet-Menopause Cycle

The science of menopause is complicated—hormone shifts, metabolic changes, and sometimes emotional turbulence. But the reflex to “diet your way out of it” often misses the bigger picture. Weight is only one part of health, and obsessing over it can trigger stress, anxiety, or worse: eating disorders. Kazdin’s essay reminds us of the damaging pressures that diet culture inflicts on women facing natural bodily changes.

So how do we break this cycle? It starts with reframing our approach to menopause and health. Instead of focusing on weight as a number, we can prioritize how we feel—physically, mentally, emotionally. This mindset shift is crucial for well-being but isn’t always easy when messages about ‘fixing’ your menopause symptoms come from doctors, magazines, and even loved ones.

When Tech Meets Menopause: Empowerment Through Choice

Here’s where modern family-building and fertility tech can teach us a thing or two. Just like menopause treatment shouldn’t reduce women to a number on a scale, conception support should empower individuals with options tailored to their unique needs. Take MakeAMom, for example — a company offering at-home insemination kits for people who want to conceive on their own terms, free from clinical pressures and judgment. Their BabyMaker home intracervical insemination syringe kit provides a discreet, user-friendly tool for people navigating fertility challenges in a way that feels comfortable and personal.

Why bring this up? Because the same compassion we need in menopause treatment — to see the whole person, not just their weight or symptoms — is the compassion we deserve in all areas of reproductive health.

What You Can Do Right Now

Managing menopause well doesn’t require a strict diet or constant self-surveillance. Here are some approachable ways to reclaim your health and your narrative:

• Listen to your body: Notice what makes you feel energized or tired, calm or anxious.
• Move in a way you enjoy: Forget ‘exercise’ as a chore; think dancing, stretching, walking your dog.
• Focus on nutrient-rich foods: But don’t obsess — aim for balance, not perfection.
• Practice mindfulness: Menopause can be emotionally complex. Apps and community groups can help you process feelings.
• Seek support without shame: Whether it’s a friend, a therapist, or an online community, you’re not alone.

Closing Thoughts

Menopause is a new chapter, not a crisis. The fixation on dieting as a treatment misses the point entirely and risks harming the very people it hopes to help. By challenging diet culture and embracing tools—from mindset shifts to innovations like at-home insemination kits—we can foster a kinder, more empowering approach to women’s health.

What’s your take on the role of diet in menopause treatment? Have you felt pressured to 'fix' your body when really, you just needed support? Share your story below — let’s change the conversation together!