4. Explore how menopause is
viewed from a different cultural perspective (outside the US).
I found a very fascinating
article called, “Menopause Across Cultures” which describes the way US/Western
Culture, Japan and Mayan Indians in Mexico culturally perceive menopause. First,
the author describes how the word menopause is associated with dread, old age,
unattractiveness and a sense of uselessness in Western culture. When menopause
starts Western women are overcome with concern about the changes that will wreak
havoc on her body. From the dreadful hot flashes and night sweats to loss of
libido. (WebMD) Once a woman as reached menopause and is no longer able to bear
children, she loses her value in society. However, the symptoms and even mindset
of menopause in the US is radically different from Japan and the Mayans. The Japanese word for menopause is konenki which
translates to renew/regeneration, of years and energy. Japanese women also lack
the symptoms associated with menopause. In 2005 only 25% of Japanese women experienced
hot flashes. According to the author of the article, the main reason for the absence
of symptoms in Japan is due to their diet. A good diet, exercise and stress
management can dissipate the symptoms of menopause.
The Mayan culture was my
favorite and most interesting on how they perceive menopause. There are still
Mayan tribes in Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and also in Guatemala. Some of the
Mayan women could not even remember or report a significant symptom of menopause.
These women look forward to and welcome menopause, it is seen as freedom and receiving
a higher status in their village. They become spiritual leaders in their
community and become the center of their society. These women are positive and undaunted
about going through menopause. I thought that was so remarkable and so opposite
of what I’m used to seeing in our culture.
Overall
I am really glad I read this article, menopause does not have to be something I
fear or look down on when I reach that stage in my life. I also think it’s amazing
how you could avoid some of the harshest symptoms through a healthy diet and exercise.
Sources:
Mills, D. (2011, 02 06). Women to women.
Retrieved from http://www.womentowomen.com/menopause/menopauseacrosscultures.aspx
Nihira, M. A. (2010). Understanding
menopause- symptoms. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/understanding-menopause-symptoms
I completely agree with you when you said that menopause doesn't have to be something you dread in life. To be honest, I'm looking forward to not having to spend so much money on pads, tampons, and other means birth control. I calculated it once, and throughout a one year period I spent close to $1,000 due to my menstrual cycle. I do believe though that American women will take any slight change and catastrophize. It's just a change of life, one that all women go through, and it doesn't make us less of a women because of it.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is very interesting. I always had this idea that menopause was going to be such a drag. I actually praise women who go through it whether there are symptons or not. I think it is really cool that different cultures look at it as freedom and regenerating to the body. It should very well be a positive accomplishment because women are wired in a special way and go through a plethora of changes throughout life. Menopause is inevitable yes, but this article reassures that it should, and can be, a beautiful thing.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how "once a woman as reached menopause and is no longer able to bear children, she loses her value in society". Let's face it, how many women actually wants to have babies in their late 40's, 50's, 60's or so on. I have heard that this is a reason why women in the western culture are afraid of going through menopause, but I wonder how much truth is in this particular reason. I guess it is more understandable going through the hormonal changes.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it is so frustrating that Americans have such a narrow perspective on things like menopause. I think it is fabulous how other cultures celebrate and embrace the change that women achieve as they are going through menopause. My favorite bit of info from your article is the Japanese women not experiencing any symptoms due to diet and exercise. That is the biggest reason I am so interested in nutrition!! I love the fact that proper food and lifestyle choice can not only heal your body, but prevent symptoms from ever occuring!
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