Below is a menopause-focused interview held with Sejal Desai, MD, DABOM, an expert speaker who’s taking part in our #SoMeDocsMenopause, taking place live March 26-30, 2025, and then can be accessed as a course anytime after.
Many people still see menopause as a taboo or overlooked topic. How do you challenge those perceptions in your work?
Menopause is still viewed as a taboo topic by many, but I’m dedicated to changing that narrative by normalizing the conversation and leading with science. In my work, I openly discuss the metabolic and health aspects of menopause, particularly around weight gain, to show it’s not just something women “have to suffer through” but a natural life transition that can be managed with the right tools. By offering evidence-based education and innovative solutions like medications and personalized care, I aim to empower women to take control of their health and feel confident through this phase of life.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions about menopause that you want to debunk?
One of the biggest misconceptions about menopause is that it marks the end of vitality and well-being for women. Many people believe menopause means a significant decline in health, sexuality, and overall quality of life. In reality, menopause is a natural transition that can bring about positive changes and new opportunities for self-discovery, growth, and empowerment. With the right knowledge, support, and resources, women can navigate this stage with confidence, maintain their health, and even thrive in their personal and professional lives. Emphasizing this perspective can help dispel the myth that menopause is simply a time of loss or decline.
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What will your session at the conference focus on? Can you give us a sneak peek into what attendees can expect?
My talk is called GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Revolutionizing Menopausal Weight Management.
Menopause isn’t just about hot flashes—it’s a metabolic shift that makes weight management more challenging than ever. In my next talk, I’ll break down how GLP-1 receptor agonists are revolutionizing weight loss in menopausal women. We’ll dive into the science behind how these medications regulate appetite, improve insulin sensitivity, and help combat stubborn midsection weight gain—all while supporting long-term metabolic health. Hope to see you there!
If you had to describe your session at the #SoMeDocsMenopause conference using only three words, what would they be?
Empowering
Science-backed
Insightful
If you could give menopause a rebrand with a new name, what would you call it?
I love this idea! Menopause deserves a term that truly reflects the transformation & empowerment it brings rather than just focusing on what’s “pausing” or ending. I would call it VitaPhase. Vita means life, emphasizing this as a vibrant new stage in life. I want women to see it as a “Second Spring” – a time for growth, renewal and living their best life!
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What do you think is the most exciting innovation or shift happening right now in menopause care or education?
One of the most exciting shifts in menopause care and education right now is the growing recognition of menopause as a critical health stage—not just something women have to “get through.” There’s a surge in evidence-based conversations, innovative treatments, and advocacy efforts to close the massive knowledge gap in both medical education and public awareness. Menopause is no longer a taboo topic—it’s a movement, and women are demanding (and getting) the care they deserve.
What is one piece of advice you wish you had received about menopause earlier in life?
The biggest advice I wish I had received is that menopause is not just about hot flashes. I put off treating my own symptoms for far too long because I never had any of the “traditional” symptoms, like hot flashes or night sweats. I was proactively eating healthy and exercising to prevent those symptoms so I thought I was good. However, my sleep had become so disrupted and my reaction to small stressors had increased tremendously. I just thought it was due to my oldest going off to college and never even realized it may be due to perimenopause! When I finally got on menopausal hormone therapy, my sleep went back to that continuous 7-8 hours that I was used to, which of course helped my mood as well. It was life-changing for me!
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Are there any projects, books, or initiatives you’re working on that you’d love for our audience to check out?
YES…thank you for asking! I’m writing a book on perimenopausal weight gain.
Weight gain in midlife isn’t just about willpower—it’s about science. As an obesity medicine physician, I see countless women struggling with unexplained weight changes, especially around the midsection, despite doing “all the right things.” My upcoming book unpacks the biological shifts driving perimenopausal weight gain and provides evidence-based solutions to take back control.
This is not a one-size-fits-all approach. I break down the latest research on nutrition, exercise, stress management, and cutting-edge medical treatments, including FDA-approved weight loss medications and effective supplements. More importantly, I help women shift the narrative from frustration to empowerment, offering realistic, sustainable strategies to feel strong, healthy, and confident in their bodies—at any age.
For years, I never saw myself as a writer—putting my thoughts into a book felt daunting, even impossible. But I’m learning to conquer my inner self-doubts head-on, just as I encourage my patients to push past their own barriers. Writing this book is a challenge I never thought I’d take on, but I’m doing it—because these conversations about midlife and perimenopausal weight gain need to be had, and I refuse to let fear hold me back.
Some of the best healthcare voices are hiding in plain sight. Our speaker directory helps you find them, follow them, and invite them into the conversations that need them.
If you could create a menopause-friendly invention that doesn’t exist yet, what would it be?
Great question! I would invent a small, discrete wearable device (similar to a continuous glucose monitor) that monitors your hormone levels (estrogen & progesterone) in real time and gives advice, such as…”Your levels are rising, take some time to de-stress today by taking a walk outdoors”.
If I could give menopause a rebrand with a new name, I would call it VitaPhase. Vita means life, emphasizing this as a vibrant new stage in life.
