Blog 2

How menopause is viewed from a different cultural perspective. 


As we know from a woman's perspective menopause has sto all of us, but affect us differently from continent to continent, race, and ethnicity. I will be giving you a brief synapse on how menopause affects other women outside of the United States.

The most common symptoms of menopause that that woman will experience is hot flashes, chills, mood changes, dryness, weight gain and slowed metabolism. Just a few to name but not all. As a researched different countries noticed that all women experience different symptoms. According to the article Menopause around the World stated"  As a biological event for women around the world, menopause itself is universal, however, research shows that the symptoms and cultural significance of menopause are not" (womeninbalance, 2014). Studies showed the women in India had to signs besides menstrual changes, Mayan women experienced uncomfortable symptoms. Although the the women looked at menopause as a life altering change most women in these different countries look at menopause as respect and freedom stand point for women.

 Chinese and Japanese women were less likely to have night sweats or hot flashes, they tended to be less enthusiastic about undergoing menopause than other ethnic groups. Nigerian women abroad were found to more commonly experience frozen shoulders, described as limited and painful shoulder mobility, than women in other cultures approaching menopause. According to an article in everyday living states " women from indigenous cultures cross into menopause, they often become known as "wise women" or spiritual leaders and hold a place of power in their communities". Overall, the women in these countries all experience different things and have different meanings behind entering into the menopause phases with is common because we all come from different background, genetic makeup, cultural influences, different eating and exercise habits. As that is a factor.

Chart reported from
Menopause management.com

Nigeria,14 among Navajo women 15 and across countries 4,16—show very different frequency rates for hot flashes. VMS are most common in North America and Europe, with prevalence estimated at 30%to 75% in North America and at 25%– 60% in Europe.17 In contrast, studies in many Asian countries have found a prevalence of only 5%– 10%, with some groups in India reporting no VMS.18

References:

Berlin, B., Colino, S., Rapaport, L., Miller, B., & Migala, J. (n.d.). Menopause, Age, and Culture - Menopause Center. Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/menopause/menopause-and-culture.aspx

(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.menopausemgmt.com/cultural-differences-in-symptoms-and-attitudes-toward-menopause/

Menopause Around the World. (2014, September 19). Retrieved from https://womeninbalance.org/2014/09/17/menopause-around-the-world/