The natural or surgical cessation of the menstrual cycle (period).
The period of transition from Matriarch to Wise Woman
The 14th moon
Ovarian Failure
The waning moon
Similar to the Menarche (first period)
It is a transitional period when we must re-evaluate our selves and our role in society
Society and Menopause
Our thoughts about Menopause today were developed in Victorian Society where youth and fertility were glorified
Women in the 80's and 90's live longer than other generations so that
there is no clearly defined role for us nor patterns that we can follow
Our mothers as role models for menopause and the cyclical feminine changes were not viewed as positive
. Menopause is affected by our beliefs, customs and culture. It is not an event but a passage of time, sometimes an
emotional roller coaster that can end with loss of self esteem. In the 1980 - 90's we are trying very hard for the first time to
balance our roles as women, mothers and career oriented people. Financial constraints provide other occupations in the
workplace but we are still the only sex that can reproduce. There has been a recent trend to recognize and honour this
function. It does not translate however into acceptance of the menopausal state as graduation from a job well done.
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In most other cultures of the world , the mature woman is accorded a measure of respect because she is MATURE. Her
wisdom on all matters would be sought out by the youth of the community. Her knowledge would never be sacrificed in
favour of the young. Recently there was great controversy over the liver transplant of a baseball icon. Many, except those
who respect his skill and talent wondered why money/prestige should give him access to quicker service. Other cultures
would not understand that controversy. During some recent ethics studies, I learned that youth is almost always second to
the wisdom of age. When you have lived and experienced you have much to offer.
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In places where women are kept separate from men their transition to Wise Woman gives them all the right to sit and
participate with men. The fertile woman is protected from harm and contamination during her childbearing years. She is
rewarded with equal status of men in maturity. In North America, we honour and praise the young, forgetting that maternal
love and support has been their guide towards the pinnacle of their success.
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Menopause, like other feminine secrets and mysteries, should be handed down from mother to daughter but geographic
mobility has lead to separations and loss of extended family ties. Thus menopause like the first Period has been relegated
to 'How to" self help books and literature that creates a science of a wonderful lunar feminine mysteries. A lot of these
books are based on medical models and symptoms that address concerns individually creating menopause as a disease
rather than a natural progression of the feminine cycle.
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We are spared, in Menopause the stress of coping with the monthly cycle and issues
of childbearing. We must never forget that menopause occurred long before
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The pill
Hormone replacement Therapy
Media glorification of youth and fertility.
Stress Scale
Our ability to cope with the transitional changes in our body is greatly affected by stress. Stress is individual. Many stress
factors are due to unresolved anger, bitterness, grief, guilt. Elizabeth Kubler Ross, a pioneer in coping with loss and others
who have since examined the death and its effects on the dying and survivors, looked at many of these feelings as a
process that we must navigate in order to resolve bereavement. For many this is a painful subject. For many it is a
misunderstood and often ignored part of life. We need to time to cope with and resolve major losses and also the minor
ones that impact on our daily life. Years ago we thought in very linear ways. I mean that there was a prescribed route for
living that was dependable and we thought in terms of that road.
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Today we know that life is cyclical and ever changing. We have been jolted out of our cocoons and into a hostile world that
is full of challenges. did you have time to mourn the loss of the job you wanted and didn't get? Did you have time to
appreciate the birth of your first child before you were back to work, missing the rapid growth and development of your son
or daughter? How many times did you wish that you could step back and redo something?
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We cope daily with losses of all types, from missing you favourite soap opera or newscast to being laid off with very little
warning. And so we seldom are able to mourn adequately and all those issues remain to gnaw at us until one day the store
clerk who didn't get to you quick enough gets the brunt of it. Someone will look at you and say 'that old .........she needs a
man' or 'she's PMS' or 'she's in the change and is getting psychotic...'
We need not look back in regret and anger. What has passed, has passed! For the first time women are living longer and
better. We spend close to one third of our life after menopause. It is time to openly acknowledge that this period is given to
us to be the Wise women! In cultures where women live 60 - 65 years their menopause is asymptomatic. The menarche is
celebrated. Childbearing starts very early. Their transition of menopause is honoured. and death comes gently without a
life of regret.
We can learn from our sisters of the world. We will live longer. We will try to avoid the pitfalls of 'I should have". We can
reflect on the successes and failures of our matriarchal years and learn how to share and revalue our wise woman years.
There will be further on stress today but there is a hand prepared with the mature woman in mind. It is a modified form of
the Holmes Rahe scale that defines your stress levels. On a scale of one to ten identify your stress levels. Over 150
suggests a need to reevaluate priorities.
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Prepared by 'Discover the Path...' 1996
Menopausal stress scale (for women over 35)
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Relationship(Communication) difficulties (Spouse, Lover, Significant other)
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Loneliness/enforced solitude
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Chronic illness/condition
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Irregular menstrual cycle
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Total 10 points for each stress
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Prepared by Discover the Path...1996
Assessing your climacteric pathway
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Prepared by 'Discover the Path....'1996
Female Reproductive system
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Anterior Lobe/Pituitary Gland
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Right Breast (Breastfeeding/Sexuality)
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Left Breast (Breastfeeding/Sexuality)
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Liver (Stores Fat/Clears toxins
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Left Kidney (Flushes the system)
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Right kidney (Flushes the system)
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Adrenal Glands (Adrenaline/stimulant)
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Adrenal Glands (Adrenaline/stimulant )
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(Protects the Reproductive Pathway)
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Body fat provides warmth and stores Estrogen for the Menopausal years
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Prepared by Discover the path.....1996
Find out who you are.......
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Make a written list of goal and wishes for the future
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Keep the list and tick off each one that....
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Make a plan for 'time out'
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Anything that pleases you
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(Drinking, Food, Relationships, Smoking, Drugs)
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Examine where the need arises from
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Decide if you want to quit
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or for yourself with help
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Prepared by 'Discover the Path....' 1996
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Remedies for signs of menopause
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diet, high in calcium includes lots of greens
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increase calcium intake adding magnesium
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ensure vitamin D/sunshine/artificial
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bone density studies avoid bone scan
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reduce stress with a new attitude
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small electric fan can be carried at all times
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moist towelletes can keep wrists cool
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carry a lavender scented washcloth for wiping perspiration and relaxation
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Dong Quai (Angelica) if there is no heavy bleeding
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Evening Primrose oil/capsules
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Wild Yam (Progesterone Cream)
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Anxiety/Depression/Mood
swings
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Exercise to remove stagnation
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Reduce stress/ take stock of life
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Baths/ aromatherapy/ bubble
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Prepared by Discover the Path....1996
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Decreased sexuality - lack of desire
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avoid spicy foods/citrus/caffeine/alcohol
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DongQuai/Nettle/raspberry tea
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Decreased sexuality - lubrication
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Water based soluble jelly
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Natural cold pressed oils
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increase foreplay
visual stimulatio
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Prepare for sleep in a relaxed manner
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sleep in a cool dark room
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Avoid animal fats ( full of animal estrogens that can confuse body)
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Maintain high iron levels especially if bleeding
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Avoid ASA, Mydol, Vitamin C as blood thinners
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Echinacea builds the immune system
add Zinc to increase immunity
Best source of Vitamin C naturally is
Chaywanpras
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Prepared by Discover the Path.....1996
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Can you Identify your eleMENTAL type?
1. Are you shy and reserved, especially among many people
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2. Are you adaptable, cautious, and economical
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3. Have you strong emotions and feelings
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4. Do you let others impose upon you
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5. Have you home responsibilities or parental ties
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6. Do you often have an inner nervousness
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7. Do you spoil your children
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8. Are you tenacious, able to see things through to a conclusion if important
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9. Are you moody at times
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10. Are you keen on ancient customs, antiques, curios
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11. Are you romantic, idealistic imaginative
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13. Have you a tendency to become over anxious and restless
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14. Are you careless of personal comforts and necessities
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15. Are you well informed on a great variety of subjects
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16. Are you inclined to show a better front than you can maintain
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17. Are you good at detail work, liking method and order
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18. Do you know how to use subtlety and persuasion to advantage
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19. Have you an inferiority complex at times
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20. Can you keep a secret
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21. Do you get despondent
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22. Would you rather suffer injury than fight for your rights
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23. Are you fond of dumb creatures and those who a re helpless
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24. Are your feet a tender spot standing or walking, dancing fond of new shoes
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25. .Have you strong likes and dislikes
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26. Are you determined critical and secretive
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27. Have you strong powers of attraction and attachment
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28. Have you ever inherited money or won money
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29. Can you keep a secret
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30. Is you mentality subtle and acute
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31. Have you a lot of physical energy
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32. Are you lucky in receiving gifts
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33. Are you sometimes jealous angry, passionate
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34. Do you dread being ill
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35. Have you suffered from deception, and misplaced confidence
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36 Are you skillful with your hands?
AIR
1. Do you talk read and write a great deal
2. Do you find it difficult to stick to one thing for very long
3. Have you had many changes of environment or short journeys
4. Do you reason, analyze and criticize a good deal
5. Are you clever with your hands
6. Do you express more in action and thought than in feeling and emotion
7. Do you find it difficult to make up your mind
8. Do you delight in hearing or telling a good story or pun
9. Are you a bachelor or spinster
10. Do you find it difficult to finish one thing before starting another
11. Does a brother or sister play an important part in your life
12. Do you admit that you have too many irons in the fire.
13. Have you a keen sense of justice
14. Are you fond of pleasure and the good things in life
15. Are you fond of comparing and criticising
16. Are you a good listener
17. Do you dislike hard and dirty work
18. Do you feel it your duty to help people
19. Would you say that association with others has moulded your life a good deal
20. Are you careless with your belongings sometimes losing things
21. Are you a keen follower of fashion beauty and dress
22. Do you sometimes delay decision until it is too late
23. Are you impatient of method and necessary routine
24. Have you strong feelings and emotions
25. Have you inventive ability or originality
26. Are you unobtrusive, humane and kind
27. Have you heard other say that you are difficult to understand
28. Are you reserved or retiring
29. Do you like original or unusual people
30. Do you trust most people and are sometimes let down
31. Do you gather many friends and acquaintances
32. Have you a desire to be quite alone at times
33. Are you a lover of dumb animals
34. Have you the tendency to forget advice after you have asked for it
35. Do you like checks, dots or uncommon dressing
1. Are you reserved practical determined and plodding
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