Is Menopause a negative aspect ofmidlife for women?
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
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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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 1960 the oestrogen replacement therapy was popularised because medical
practitioners viewed menopause as an oestrogen deficiency (Wilson & Wilson, 1963
cited in Wilbur, Miller & Montgomery, 1995).In 1980, hormone replacement therapy
was introduced in Britain and United States. This contributed to the fact that women
allow drug companies, medical practitioners, and gynaecological surgeons to take
control of them ( Hall & Jacob, 1992).
These therapies also emphasises the ageing process in a woman. Dr Sandra Cabot
says women are worried about the ageing and deterioration of their looks as a result of
menopause ( Cabot, 1991). Psychological transition occurs for women experiencing
menopause. Because women had to accept the fact that the chances of them bearing
a child is very low (Jones & Abraham, 1992). This implies that a woman's usefulness
equates to her fertility. Apparently there is also a widespread feeling that women will
'shut up' sexually (Coope, 1996). As a result women have a negative approach to
menopause, which reflect in their feelings.
Another myth, which revolves around menopause is that we are starting our journey
of old age at menopause. Medical workers and health workers reflect this in their
findings and research (Bennett & Degeling, 1995). This reflects that health of a
woman equates to physical health and ageing is the same as old age ( Bennett &
Degeling, 1995). All these myths and stereotypes emphasise that menopause is a time
of diminishing physical and sexual attractiveness and worth. In turn this reflects how
society values women and how a woman may value herself.
This is also emphasised in media reflecting the dominant values and expectations of
the society. The media idealises the image of femininity as young (Magezis, 1996).
Older women get less coverage and they are often portrayed as victims of crime,
grannies or witches. The wisdom and fulfilment of older women have been hidden in
the media, because of society's expectations of older women being unhealthy,
inactive in sexual activity and over matured for fun ( Magezis, 1996).Therefore
women feel they only have a place in society if they retain their illusion of youth
( Hall & Jacob, 1992).This increases the concern about menopause that stresses the
youth. These feelings of lost hopes, lost femininity and confusion add to the ongoing
stress of women in perimenopausal years.
Another major stressor for women facing midlife experiencing menopause is likely to
come from their families. As we are aware, women play numerous family roles such
as daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and mother-in-law and they have to balance
these roles along with careers and community interests (Bennett & Degeling, 1995).
The strength of the family is dependant on 'mothers' as a source of emotional and
practical support, but often with no reciprocation. As a result, the balancing act might
topple and become a stressor for them. ( Kahn & Holt, 1987).
However, women's role as mothers become the 'empty nest' when the children leaves
them. Based on this, women face unexpected maternal urges, which brings in the
urgent pressure to fulfil their biological creative function. Menopause is blamed for
the life crisis ( Hall & Jacob, 1992). If their traditional caregiver role changes the
priorities and focus on their physical and psychological well-being would also ensure
positive effects in midlife (Jones & Abraham, 1992).
Studies in Britain in the 1970s reflected that at least twenty five percent of men were
unaware of the nature and extent of the women's menopausal problems. They
were not aware that women needed more support, love, encouragement and
understanding during the menopausal stage. In this case, lack of support may
aggravate women emotionally Therefore knowledge and acknowledgment of
menopause helps women to adjust (Jones & Abraham, 1992).
Along with this, we should also acknowledge women for their maturity and
experience. Often menopause is associated with deterioration of women's mental
capacity, their ability to reason and to make deductions in life (Craven & Stojanovska,
2001). If women were acknowledged for their ability to cope and solve problems this
would make them feel good and reflect positively on their approach to menopause
(Bennett & Degeling, 1995).
However this may not affect women who are often happier and focus on the
development of their marital relationship. They use this new freedom or new found
financial freedom to further their education or to travel and indulge themselves
(Craven & Stojanovska, 2001). Some women exercise assertiveness and diversify the
responsibilities of their roles to the respective individuals. For example, midlife
women ask the young parents to take care for their own children (Kahn & Holt,
987).
It might be said that middle age is a time for making all sorts of adjustments and
adaptations. This implies that women have to review their attitude to their health. If
women actively engage themselves fully, this may relieve them from menopausal
stress and also if they take care of their health they may feel more lively, young,
attractive and healthy, which could reflect positively during menopause ( Coope,
996). By making preparations and accepting the limitations of menopause this may
give a lease of life and improve their mental and physical being (Hall & Jacob, 1992).
Appropriate therapies and actions may remove the cause of the stressor for the
menopause. In addition, self assertiveness, weight control, stress-management,
personal communication, relaxation or medication may be the best possible options to
build up the self-esteem and confidence during midlife ( Bennett & Deegeling, 1988).
For some women who are holding on to the old fears created by myths and
stereotypes of menopause, they may be listening to the internal and external prompts
increasing the rigid outlook of their lives. They will struggle all the way to fix up their
bodies, families, careers, home and world endlessly ( Willis, 2002).They remain
depressed and disengaged from the world. This then may lower their self-esteem
(Willis, 2002).
There is also cultural influence on individual attitudes and beliefs .In some cultures
the physical change is expected during menopause. This is a result of cultural
expectations or the structure which acknowledges the change during menopause
(Bennett & Degeling, 1995).For example in India older women are respected for their
life-experiences. In Hindu culture women are kept in strict 'seclusion' and they are
released at the time of menopause. This then allows them to associate and converse in
male company. Their new, active role and freedom enables them to experience none
of the negative symptoms of menopause ( Coope, 1996).
In Western culture, women fear ageing and they are forced to compete with the
young. They regard menopause as a disease and label menopausal woman as deficient
( Bennett & Degeling, 1995).In 1999 Medical Journal of Australia Alastair
Maclennan and his colleagues reported that women from western society use the
hormone replacement therapy most in the world (Craven & Stojanovska &
2001)Based on this an article appeared in 'The Daily Telegraph' citing that
'Australian woman still taking HRT (Hormone replacement therapy) despite cancer
risk'. This tends to indicate that western culture views menopause as a medical
condition that needs treatment.
In contrast to this Asian women complain less even when they experience high levels
of menopausal symptoms, because they accept menopause as a natural transition in
their lives (Craven & Stojanovska & 2001).Cultural influences appear to affect
women's ability to tolerate menopausal symptoms and also suppresses the
psychological and physiological symptoms. In some societies in differing cultures
menopause signals an increase in social status and sexual liberation. For example ,
African women in the menopausal stage attain higher status and can command the
labour of their juniors, and for the Kung women of Botswana the post menopausal life
stage is a time of sexual liberation ( Stoppard, 1994).
In conclusion, if women allow the medical practitioners, health workers and drugs to
run their lives it may reinforce the negative aspects of menopause. Menopause is
associated with old age, declining health and may be considered as a disease, which
requires treatment. Media also emphasises that women are more desirable and
attractive if they retain their youth. These perceptions may affect women
psychologically and physiologically. Adapting to the changes of their roles and
prioritising their responsibilities would ensure a positive approach to menopause.
If individuals accept their new physical limitations, mortality and health risks, this is
likely to assist in coming to terms with the symptoms of menopause. Additionally if
they receive the acknowledgement and adequate support from their near and loved
ones, this may would relieve symptoms of menopause ( Kahn & Holt, 1987).
Differing cultures help to moderate levels of tolerance of menopausal symptoms and
also signal the increased social status for women. As a result, this empowers them and
create positive images for menopause. In other words, menopause is a time for
women to take control of their lives, shaping their destiny, so as to enjoy being a
woman in unique style.
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