Search

A woman muses about buying lovely new panties; another journeys inward and outward to redefine her life, a blogger offers information, support, and community to perimenopausal women; researchers uncover myths and misconceptions about migrant and refugee women's experiences of menopause; a gerontology scholar extrapolates for menopause the meanings of cultural representations of childbirth; a sociologist and intersex advocate challenges her medically constructed menopause; young women's stories inform an inquiry into the health and social repercussions of primary ovarian insufficiency—all in a collection of research papers and personal narratives that moves far beyond the idea of menopause as a mere biological marker. While biomedical and feminist researchers agree that menopause is a time of transition and border crossing, they offer diverse viewpoints about whether perimenopause and menopause signal deficiency and burden, or growth and freedom, or both. So too, contributors to this collection—influenced by factors of age, cultural background, societal context, and physical and psychological experience—vary significantly in their perspectives of this process. Research, analysis, narrative, poetry, and art intermingle to create a multi-textured montage that challenges stereotypes, probes relationships, and defies categorization. Musings on Perimenopause and Menopause: Identity, Experience, Transition, provides insight into how women think about and experience the transition to menopause in contemporary times.

An Instant New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle, and Publishers Weekly Bestseller!A Next Avenue Influencer in Aging 2021#1 Canadian Bestseller Just as she did in her groundbreaking bestseller The Vagina Bible, Dr. Jen Gunter, the internet's most fearless advocate for women's health, brings you empowerment through knowledge by countering stubborn myths and misunderstandings about menopause with hard facts, real science, fascinating historical perspective, and expert advice.'I feel more equipped to care for my patients, challenge the patriarchy, and empower & educate thanks to her work and advocacy.” —Dr. Danielle Jones (Mama Doctor Jones) “An exhilarating read and a comprehensive review of all things menopause.” —North American Menopause Society“Gynecologist Gunter (The Vagina Bible) helps women navigate the ins and outs of menopause in this delightfully conversational and strongly feminist guide. Readers looking to separate menopausal fact from fiction should take note.” —Publishers Weekly“Gunter mixes sound medical information with a bit of humor and a lot of candor…[this] frank and expert guide provides an informative and reassuring look at a long, often baffling and infuriating phase of life.” —Booklist The only thing predictable about menopause is its unpredictability. Factor in widespread misinformation, a lack of research, and the culture of shame around women's bodies, and it's no wonder women are unsure what to expect during the menopause transition and beyond. Menopause is not a disease—it's a planned change, like puberty. And just like puberty, we should be educated on what's to come years in advance, rather than the current practice of leaving people on their own with bothersome symptoms and too much conflicting information. Knowing what is happening, why, and what to do about it is both empowering and reassuring. Frank and funny, Dr. Jen debunks misogynistic attitudes and challenges the over-mystification of menopause to reveal everything you really need to know about: •Perimenopause • Hot flashes • Sleep disruption • Sex and libido • Depression and mood changes • Skin and hair issues • Outdated therapies • Breast health • Weight and muscle mass • Health maintenance screening • And much more! Filled with practical, reassuring information, this essential guide will revolutionize how women experience menopause—including how their lives can be even better for it!“Read this book immediately.” —New York Times bestseller Ayelet Waldman, author of A Really Good Day and Love & Treasure“This is the new ‘it'book for women who want to prepare for or understand what menopause is (and isn't).” —Dr. Jennifer Lincoln

While menopause is a universal fact of life, the physiological and psychological effects for women are not the same in all cultures. In this comparative and cross-cultural ethnographic study, Beyene examines the concept and experience of menopause among Greek and Mayan peasant women, uncovering some startling information. Available research and experience thus far suggests that non-Western, nonindustrialized women often do not have the same psychological or physiological reactions to menopause as Western, industrialized women do.By comparing the reproductive histories of one group of peasant women to another, the author makes it possible to isolate historical, cultural and environmental factors relating to variations or similarities in response to menopause. Her findings underscore the plasticity of the human aging experience, particularly among women. The book presents a biocultural view linking the experience of menopause to diet and fertility patterns, and provides new insights and hypotheses on the reproductive cycle and aging in women.Yewoubdar Beyene is Research Fellow in the Medical Anthropology Program at the University of California, San Francisco.

Reinterpreting Menopause brings together a number of reflections from a broad range of areas including feminism, cultural studies, clinical medicine, sociology, philosophy and political science and includes the voices and experiences of menopausal women themselves. In an innovative series of essays, current thinking about medicine, society and the body is critically examined. Particular attention is given to the medical representations of menopause, biology and aging, the history of medical approaches to women and the tensions between bio-medical models and other explanations of menopause. Contributors include: E. Ann Kaplan, Emily Martin, Mia Campioni, Fiona Mackie, Roe Sybylla, Wendy Rogers, Kwok Lei Leng, Margaret Morganroth Gullette and Robyn Gardner.