The general topic of this week’s readings was reproduction and healthcare. The majority of the articles focused on the aspect of female reproduction and the processes of menstruation and menopause. Culturally different viewpoints on menstruation make this an interesting topic for discussion. As seen in a class video, some cultures celebrate a female’s first period; they see it as one of the strongest points in her life and an event to be shared and celebrated with the entire community. However, the United States tends to perceive menstruation in a much different light; it is “that time of the month” when we’re irritable, cramping, bloated, and just need to be avoided. Why the differences? Aren’t all women around the world experiencing a similar menstrual cycle? That cycle has the same meaning around the world: it’s a symbol of fertility, revealing that a woman is capable of reproduction. Instead of looking down upon the monthly visitor as bringing out the demon inside of us, why can’t we all embrace it in the same celebratory fashion?
In looking at different perceptions among people, I found two very interesting points specific to the American culture. Our society has extremely contradictory views about hormone fluctuation in men and women. For women, this is called menopause. The estrogen levels lower, and women experience or believe to experience irritating symptoms such as hot flashes, moodiness, and forgetfulness. Men also have a problem with hormone fluctuation. As Jerome Groopman examines in his article, “Hormones for Men,” andropause is a condition in men that is currently seeing additional research. Andropause is “treated” with testosterone replacement therapy. I was casually searching for information about these topics and I stumbled upon a very interesting realization: these two very similar conditions are treated by American society in two extremely different ways. It’s very well known that our society sees menopausal women as second to the devil and something meant to be left alone and not spoken to. This youtube video gives a perfect reflection of American society’s perception of menopausal women.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A5nTUtJtIs&feature=related
The first woman gracefully recognizing her menopause discusses hot flashes, memory loss, and an occasional ‘leak’ of the bladder (common yet frustrating symptoms of menopause). The next woman, looking rather unsightly, stands up yelling about the “sands of time running through her hour glass” and is warned by fellow menopausal women to “contain the monsoon.” This perception shows that menopause causes women to become terrifying creatures that pee their pants and have night sweats. Interesting… but that takes me to the other side of the spectrum: men who have lower levels of testosterone are ‘treated’ with steroids. When their hormones are fluctuating, the perception is polar opposite to that of women.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9ElP0ZJ1-U&feature=related
This video entices men to become the muscular, sexy man they want to be instead of the wimpy, Steve Urkel-type with no muscles. The background music pumps them up with lyrics about being “harder, better, faster, stronger” and what doesn’t “kill me, can only make me stronger.” What a comparison! During hormone fluctuation (a biologically normal process in life) women are viewed as crazy and moody whereas men are encouraged to build their muscles and become manlier men. Society’s perception puts women in a negative light whereas men are given the chance to make lemonade out of lemons. No wonder women feel terrible during menopause…society is telling us to be!
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