Narratives about Menopause

Abstract

Narratives and how women interpret their symptoms have always been a part of how menopause is experienced. Today, as women feel more accessible to talk about menopause, new narratives are being formed and negotiated - both to menopause and concerning women becoming older. These different narratives mirror the fact that the transitional phase differs from woman to woman and that some women experience many symptoms while others do not seem bothered at all. Some narratives underscore menopause as a transformative period, offering opportunities to adapt to new life roles and highlighting middle-aged and older women as individuals of competence, confidence, and experience. Other narratives center on describing bodily symptoms - primarily "classic symptoms," notably hot flushes, but also the broad array of physical and mental manifestations that may arise from one's early forties to late fifties. In this paper, I will, drawing on two decades of research on the topic, discuss examples from the ongoing debate about emerging new narratives: “The Competent Middle-Aged Woman,” “All Symptoms Are Menopausal Symptoms,” and “Menopause in the Workplace.” As medical society members who are in contact with women during this life phase, we need to support narratives that contribute to pride and strength while countering shame and embarrassment. Many women need more information about what is happening in their bodies, and some menopausal women need medical intervention. However, fostering healthy women’s trust in their bodies is equally important. Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life, for better or worse, and not necessarily an issue that should be approached as a medical problem. It's crucial to maintain stories about competent middle-aged women being valuable assets in the workforce with excellent leadership potential instead of solely emphasizing the needs of those experiencing severe symptoms.