Why Menopause Treatment Always Comes With a Diet – The Shocking Truth You Didn’t Know
Posted on 14 July 2025 by Priya Nair — 4 min
Have you ever wondered why diet is always a part of menopause treatment? It's a question many women ask as they navigate the complex changes that come with perimenopause and menopause. According to a revealing essay published by TIME titled Why Does Menopause Treatment Always Include a Diet?, weight gain is often the first—and most distressing—symptom women notice during perimenopause. This early weight gain often triggers a flood of diet advice from well-meaning doctors, friends, and media alike. But is this focus on diet truly helpful, or is it masking deeper issues women face during this transformative stage?
Let’s dive deeper.
The Diet-Metabolism Menopause Connection: More Than Just Calories
Menopause is not just a change in reproductive hormones; it's a seismic shift in metabolism, bone density, mood, and overall health. Weight gain during perimenopause isn’t merely about overeating or lack of exercise—it's a biological response to fluctuating estrogen levels that impact fat distribution and insulin sensitivity.
So why does diet always come into the picture? Because managing this weight gain is crucial to preventing a cascade of health problems—like diabetes, heart disease, and even fertility challenges.
The Pressure and Pitfalls of Menopause Diet Culture
Cole Kazdin’s essay highlights a troubling intersection between menopause treatment and diet culture, noting that women often feel pressured to “fix” their weight gain quickly, sometimes at the expense of their mental health. This can fuel disordered eating or an unhealthy relationship with food, which ironically undermines overall wellbeing.
Is there a better way to approach this? Absolutely.
Embracing Holistic Nutrition for Menopause
Instead of fixating on restrictive diets, experts recommend embracing nutritional strategies that support hormonal balance, energy, and fertility health:
- Prioritize whole foods: Fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats help mitigate inflammation.
- Balance macronutrients: Stable blood sugar levels reduce cravings and mood swings.
- Include phytoestrogens: Foods like flaxseeds and soy may help ease hormonal shifts.
- Stay hydrated and active: Both are critical in supporting metabolism.
This approach reduces the pressure and cultivates wellbeing from the inside out.
What Does This Mean for Fertility and At-Home Conception?
While menopause signals the end of natural fertility for many, some women may still seek to conceive during perimenopause or early menopause stages. Nutrition and hormonal balance become even more important here.
At-home fertility technologies, like those offered by MakeAMom’s BabyMaker at-home insemination kit, provide empowering options for women and couples navigating these transitions. These kits consider the unique sensitivities some users have, such as conditions like vaginismus, ensuring a gentle and supportive fertility journey.
The impressive average success rate of 67% reported by MakeAMom users illustrates how combining thoughtful nutritional care with innovative technology can open new doors for parenthood, even amid the challenges menopause might bring.
So, Should Diet Always Be Part of Menopause Treatment?
The answer is yes—but not as a one-size-fits-all fix or diet-culture mandate. Instead, diet should be a mindful, personalized tool that supports metabolic and hormonal health without shame or guilt.
Final Thoughts: Your Body, Your Rules
Menopause is a natural transition—not a problem to be fixed overnight. By understanding why diet plays a role and adopting compassionate, evidence-based nutrition strategies, women can maintain health, vitality, and even pursue fertility goals on their own terms.
For anyone interested in exploring accessible, user-friendly fertility solutions during this phase, resources like MakeAMom’s home insemination systems offer a promising path forward.
What has your experience been with menopause and diet? Have you felt pressured or empowered? Share your story with us—we’re listening.
References: - Kazdin, Cole. "Why Does Menopause Treatment Always Include a Diet?" TIME, 2023. - MakeAMom. "BabyMaker at Home Insemination Kit." https://www.makeamom.com/artificial-insemination-kit/babymaker-at-home-insemination-kit