Menopause – A Time for Reflection

Abstract

A woman’s post-reproductive years can bring the greatest challenges of her life as physical and psychological changes compel examination of her new role in life. The author’s own experience of this leads her to reflect on cultural perspectives and healing practices that may impact the individual experience of menopause. In the USA, physical symptoms often have been managed by hormone replacement therapy (HRT) while the psychological changes, including the subtleties of what it means to be a (re)productive part of society have just begun to be addressed. In a holistic model, factors having a positive influence on a woman’s experience of menopause include low body mass index (BMI), and using alternatives to HRT such as Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) and meditation. Additionally, revising one’s view of what it means to be “older” will influence her experience. In order to create a plan to bring balance to a woman whose physiology is no longer supported by sex hormones, societal, nutritional, and cultural influences must be considered.