Is Menopause a negative aspect ofmidlife for women?

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Name : C Sountharam

Address : 9/42 John Street, Ashfield, NSW 2131

Email : [email protected]

Tel (h) : 61 2 97164827

Module : Life Span Development ( DE)

Trainer : Mrs Christine Chinchen

Assignment : Assignment No 3 - Is Menopause a negative aspect of

midlife for women?

Term : 2 year 2002

Date : 2002-09-09

Is menopause a negative aspect of midlife for women?

C Sountharam

Trainer : Christien Chinchen

Module : Life Span Development ( DE)

Term : 2 year 2002

Submitted: 09.09.2002

Is menopause a negative aspect of midlife for women?

Changes or declination in physical functions will benchmark our midlife ( Bee &

Boyd, 2002).In that aspect there is a single significant physical change that occurs in

the midlife , which is menopause, especially for women. Menopause is a natural part

of ageing process where women experience declination in their reproduction ( Bee &

Boyd, 2002). This indicates cessation of menses. Perhaps this is the most important

change in a woman's life in terms of physical and emotional health.

This paper attempts to explore the factors contributing to the negative and positive

aspects of menopause. Past medical views, which had created the myths and

stereotypes of menopause, which had psychological effects on women, because

menopause has been associated with old age, fertility and health (Bennett & Degeling,

995). Therefore in society's view menopause appeared to end the creative life of

women. Media also interprets and reflects that a young, glamorous woman only has

gracefulness. These media images are used by women to judge themselves and may

lead to internalisation of standards for judgement of beauty (Magezis, 1996).

Understanding and acknowledging the biological, emotional and physical stresses of

menopause on women and providing adequate support may relieve symptomatology.

This also implies that if individuals accept their own mortality, physical

limitations, health risks and adapting to the changes of their roles, this may contribute

to an approach to menopause in a positive or negative way. Cultural expectations and

structure have various influences over menopause (Craven & Stojanovska, 2001).

Societal views of menopause have varied greatly over the years and it has been

considered as a natural developmental change or medical problem requiring treatment

(Hall & Jacobs, 1992). Until the nineteenth century, menopause was treated as a

natural part of life. In the mid nineteenth century, Victorian Gynaecologist Edward

Tilt established that menopause was a 'gradual loss of feminine grace leading to

mental diseases' (Hall & Jacobs, 1992, p.12) According to him excessive blood is

stored in the head which in turn leads to menopausal disorders and particularly severe
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headaches (Hall & Jacob, 1992).

Another exponent, Dr Andrew Curtier, viewed menopause as a socio economic factor

as a result of 'irregular and unwomanly' occupations, he described such woman as

'pitiful spectacles of decrepit and wrinkle and worn out creatures' (Hall & Jacob,

992, p.13). He advocated for hysterectomies.

In Psychoanalytic literature, Freud viewed menopause as a potential crisis and his

follower Helen Dutch developed this as the stage where women's services to the

species ends ( Wilbur, Miller & Montgomery, 1995).

In ...

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