First of all, a little bone to pick with language. What’s up with the pause in menopause? It’s not like it’s coming back on. It’s a bit like when someone asks to borrow a piece of gum or a tissue – mate, we don’t want it back! We really should be calling it menostop, or menogone or menogoodriddance. While we’re at it, shouldn’t it at the very least be called womenopause?
As it turns out, digging into the language is illuminating. The word menopause as we know it was first recorded in French in 1845. This word goes back to the Latin menopausis, which itself is rooted in the Greek mēn (meaning month) and pausis (a cessation or pause). This explains the Oxford English Dictionary definition as “the permanent cessation of menstruation; the period of a woman’s life when this occurs”.
What this suggests is that menopause exists on a kind of continuum – there are lots of temporary cessations before the final cessation. And along that continuum are a lot of different symptoms, experiences and changes that happen to our bodies and our minds.
Menopause is an interesting topic. There are the essential scientific elements of it, and the many other emotional, social and even political elements. It impacts our lives in myriad ways. Many marriages don't withstand menopause and the mental health toll alone is sobering. The stigma and stereotypes around ageing for women in particular are likely part of the reason that we don't have a more vigorous public discourse around menopause, and why so much of it is still shrouded in mystery.
So let's demystify it, shall we? First, let's define our terms.
Esta historia es de la edición May 12, 2023 de New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 12, 2023 de New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Sweet SUCCESS
Delicious twists on traditional favourites
Calzone CRAVING
Anything you can put on top of a pizza can go inside these air fryer Italian turnovers
Kai & kindness - ‘OUR RECIPE FOR A GOOD LIFE'
The foodie and her brother have dished up a cookbook full of comfort
Kia Ora Dame! 'I HAD A BIGGER PURPOSE'
It could have taken a toll on her, but Naida's phone greeting started a legacy
Dame Hinewehi's healing haka - 'IT'S GOING TO CHANGE LIVES'
Beating a world record is personal for the music therapy founder
Unbreakable Mamie - 'I'M READY TO FAMOUS!' BE
The TV star and model is excited about what the future holds
Below Deck detective - CAPTAIN LEE'S SEA CHANGE
The superyacht hero's family tragedy has led him to navigate scary waters
Swings & roundabouts - OWEN'S BIG KID PROJECT
Playtime's a whole lot more fun thanks to the radio host
Haunted by tragedy - KATE'S SHOCK LOSS
The star is still dealing with the death of her dad when she was aged four
Top-secret royal plan - BRINGING HARRY HOME
Disillusioned with life in the US, the prince is reaching out to friends in the UK