Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Blog #8: Menopause In A Different Light

Menopause is viewed as something scary and unnatural. Like menstrual cycles, menopause is a word that people associate with moody women. Yet, they are both very natural processes. When a woman goes through menopause, her ovaries are not producing hormones. Estrogen and progesterone sustain her homeostatic balance. Once those hormones are not naturally produced anymore, she may experience hot flashes, bone loss, and vaginal changes. (Alexander et al, 2010) The only way for society to change its views on menopause is to equate it with something beautiful.
Menstrual cycles was once a taboo subject but is now seen on television. It is even discussed in schools with young girls as a natural process. It is now equated with the entrance of womanhood. Menopause should be equated with the age of distinguished womanhood. These women have raised their children and are looking to regain their independence. It is a age to think about retirement and traveling. I believe that if positive light was shed on menopause and aging women, society would view it differently.

Works Cited

1. Alexander et al. (2010). New dimensions in women’s health. 5th ed. Sudberry, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

3 comments:

  1. Samisha,
    Thank you for your post. Reading your post have instantly taken most of my fears away. During my interviews this week of women who have experienced menopause, I became terrified of the symptoms that come along with menopause because I am not far from the age of when it usually occurs. Most of the women in my family had hysterectomies and I will be the first to experience menopause. Now I can look forward to it as a journey into "distinguished womanhood" instead of going through the change.

    Vikki D. Littleton

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  2. Distinguished womanhood, right on Samisha! I think you've coined a new frame of mind for us! This process should be honored whether it is by natural or surgical means. And although there is the negative cognitation with it that women go crazy (just as with mensturation)society needs to know that our minds do change but for the better in means of wisdom.

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  3. Well done on your blog! I definitley agree with you on that we need to start viewing menopause in a more positive light. I agree with the commenters about the comment on "distinguished womanhood" because that is exactly what it is! You are simply entering in a new chapter in your life.

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