Menopause varies among different cultures, while medically
menopause is something that every woman goes through at some point in their life,
the symptoms and views on it differ depending on their culture and how menopause
is viewed. According to Women in Balance Institute [WIBI] (2018), “In our youth-idolizing
Western culture, menopause can seem like an end. However, in many cultures,
menopause is a time of new respect and freedom for women”. They go on to describe
how through a study they found that Mayan women actually looked forward to
menopause (even with knowing they will experience uncomfortable symptoms) because
in their culture menopause is viewed as providing women with freedom and
status. In India, women who were veiled and separated from the men before
menopause, were able to leave the women’s quarters without being veiled and
visit and speak with the men. (WIBI, 2018). In many cultures menopause is something
that they look forward to as it sort of frees them from certain things that they
were not previously able to do. One thing that I found really interesting
through researching is that the symptoms of menopause are not the same globally.
Symptoms most common of menopause in the United States are hot flashes and
night sweats while in India women actually don’t complain of any symptoms other
than menstrual changes, in Japan women complain of shoulder stiffness and don’t
experience hot flashes very often, in Hong Kong the most common symptoms are joint
and muscle stiffness with hot flashes being quite mild. (WIBI, 2018). The
reason for the different symptoms are believed to be caused by the different
lifestyles across different cultures. Which makes sense as our hormones are greatly
impacted by our lifestyles (what we eat, how we sleep, and how active we are). Cultural
beliefs play a big role in how women feel about menopause, and could greatly
impact how severe their symptoms are. If they are excited and looking forward
to it, they are mentally prepared to deal with the symptoms because the outcome
will be worth the pain. Where as women in the U.S. do not look forward to this
time, and they can have a bit of a harder time dealing with the symptoms.
Women in Balance Institute [WIBI]. (2018). Menopause Around the World. Retrieved
from https://womeninbalance.org/2014/09/17/menopause-around-the-world/
Hi Esmerelda!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment that it is surprising all symptoms are not the same. All women go through menopause so you would think that all symptoms would be the same. I wonder why in the U.S, our symptoms are worse. How did it get to be this way? It must have been passed down from generations the idea that menopause is awful and the worst thing women have to go through because of all the hot flashes and migraines and what not. However, I am a sole believer that your mindset has everything to do with the matter at hand. If you go through your whole life thinking something is bad and experience anxiety anticipating it then more than likely the outcome will be negative. I think possibly if women in the U.S had a more positive outlook on menopause then the symptoms would not be as severe.
-Renita Sun
Hello Esmerelda,
ReplyDeleteI also chose to research the varying views of menopause in different cultures. I have always thought that the Western opinion of menopause as depressing. I also found that there are a number of other cultures that view menopause as something to look forward to. I hope to run against the grain when I reach this stage in life. I want to look forward to the amount of freedom that can be gained from reaching menopause.
- Jessica Venzor
Hello Esmeralda!
ReplyDeleteIts interesting how who listed out the different symptoms women experience around the globe when they have their menopause. I actually assumed everyone experienced the same symptoms. i know a few women who had their menopause and they did always complain of hot flashes and in the end she took medication for her hormones. My mother is actually getting to the age where she should have her menopause but her women's specialist doctor told her, her hormones were perfectly fine and when she is to have her menopause, she should have almost no symptoms.
You also mentioned that women receive more freedom in other countries when they have their menopause. Is there any particular reason why within their culture they gain that freedom when their menstruation stops?
This blog was really interesting to read. thanks for posting!