The number of secret (and often horrifying) things that happen to a woman's body during menopause, but that no one tells you about, are too numerous to count. I can't help but think it's not coincidental that women have to go digging through the internet to figure out what the hell is happening to our bodies during menopause.
No, it's not a coincidence. But women used to share their stories and pass them down amongst themselves, so that women wouldn't have to search on the internet, or suffer in silence and ignorance. That's why I wrote this. The way to take back power is to stop being isolated from each other. That's what the Patriarchy desires, that's what the Patriarchy meant to happen when they closed down the "commons" and stopped women from using communal ovens, and forbade them (or just made it impossible) to gather, starting in the Middle Ages with the transition from feudalism to Capitalism. It was already hard enough for women before Capitalism, but it got much worse with wages and dependence on men, and the eventual isolation into individual homes and modern kitchens with everything a woman needed in one room.
Those images of Lucy and Ethel talking to each other from their respective kitchen windows are images of women resisting such isolation. Now, we just have our jobs and men isolating us.
I recommend Silvia Federici's Caliban and the Witch, for more on this gradual isolation of women from each other in the interests of Capitalism and Patriarchy, and even of White Supremacy.
It is absolutely true that most of the useful information I've learned about menopause has been from talking to other women, but that we're discouraged from doing just that--talking to each other about our bodies. I read and teach a lot about gender, but never thought about this phenomenon--the way capitalism and patriarchy keep women isolated from each other. Thanks for the book rec! Will check it out.
The personal narrative you shared about the journey of your body, particularly in relation to menstrual health and societal perceptions, is both compelling and deeply relatable. Your exploration of the menstrual experiences from medieval times to the present highlights a universal struggle many women face in understanding and embracing their bodies amidst societal norms and pressures. The historical anecdotes and your personal experiences weave together a story that many women can identify with, shedding light on the complexities and often misunderstood aspects of menstrual health.
Your journey underscores the importance of open conversation and education about women's health. It's striking how misconceptions and societal attitudes have influenced women's relationships with their own bodies, often leading to fear and misinformation. The evolution of menstrual products and the various methods women have used to manage their periods reflect a broader narrative of women's empowerment and the ongoing fight for bodily autonomy. I, for example, have frequent menstrual pains and have felt relief from using natural product remedies (op https://www.naturalmedicineheals.com/calm-cycle). It's life-changing because the pain on "those days" drains all of a woman's energy.
Your reflections serve as a reminder that understanding our bodies is a continuous journey, one that requires compassion, education, and a supportive community. The way you've connected your personal experiences with historical perspectives offers a powerful testament to the resilience and adaptability of women in the face of evolving societal norms and medical understanding. Your story is a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about women's health, emphasizing the need for more open dialogues and a deeper understanding of the female body across different stages of life.
The number of secret (and often horrifying) things that happen to a woman's body during menopause, but that no one tells you about, are too numerous to count. I can't help but think it's not coincidental that women have to go digging through the internet to figure out what the hell is happening to our bodies during menopause.
No, it's not a coincidence. But women used to share their stories and pass them down amongst themselves, so that women wouldn't have to search on the internet, or suffer in silence and ignorance. That's why I wrote this. The way to take back power is to stop being isolated from each other. That's what the Patriarchy desires, that's what the Patriarchy meant to happen when they closed down the "commons" and stopped women from using communal ovens, and forbade them (or just made it impossible) to gather, starting in the Middle Ages with the transition from feudalism to Capitalism. It was already hard enough for women before Capitalism, but it got much worse with wages and dependence on men, and the eventual isolation into individual homes and modern kitchens with everything a woman needed in one room.
Those images of Lucy and Ethel talking to each other from their respective kitchen windows are images of women resisting such isolation. Now, we just have our jobs and men isolating us.
I recommend Silvia Federici's Caliban and the Witch, for more on this gradual isolation of women from each other in the interests of Capitalism and Patriarchy, and even of White Supremacy.
🙌
It is absolutely true that most of the useful information I've learned about menopause has been from talking to other women, but that we're discouraged from doing just that--talking to each other about our bodies. I read and teach a lot about gender, but never thought about this phenomenon--the way capitalism and patriarchy keep women isolated from each other. Thanks for the book rec! Will check it out.
Yes, isolating women from each other, and keeping us in ignorance and dispossession of our own bodies is essential to keeping us from power.
Amen, Robyn.
The personal narrative you shared about the journey of your body, particularly in relation to menstrual health and societal perceptions, is both compelling and deeply relatable. Your exploration of the menstrual experiences from medieval times to the present highlights a universal struggle many women face in understanding and embracing their bodies amidst societal norms and pressures. The historical anecdotes and your personal experiences weave together a story that many women can identify with, shedding light on the complexities and often misunderstood aspects of menstrual health.
Your journey underscores the importance of open conversation and education about women's health. It's striking how misconceptions and societal attitudes have influenced women's relationships with their own bodies, often leading to fear and misinformation. The evolution of menstrual products and the various methods women have used to manage their periods reflect a broader narrative of women's empowerment and the ongoing fight for bodily autonomy. I, for example, have frequent menstrual pains and have felt relief from using natural product remedies (op https://www.naturalmedicineheals.com/calm-cycle). It's life-changing because the pain on "those days" drains all of a woman's energy.
Your reflections serve as a reminder that understanding our bodies is a continuous journey, one that requires compassion, education, and a supportive community. The way you've connected your personal experiences with historical perspectives offers a powerful testament to the resilience and adaptability of women in the face of evolving societal norms and medical understanding. Your story is a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about women's health, emphasizing the need for more open dialogues and a deeper understanding of the female body across different stages of life.