Medicalisation
As ever, I can only read the ‘headlines of
Chris’s posts at ‘Always smiling,’ but I had to smile at the heading of her
latest post, ‘I feel I missed out.’
Her post was about menopause. There’s peri-menopause and post-menopause as well, so there’s no escape from
all the ‘research’ that goes into this mysterious condition that affects every
woman if she lives long enough.
Of course, some women have gynaecologically
challenging times, and deserve sympathy and practical help. Most women I know
have ‘just got on with it.’
My apologies if I’ve trampled on any toes,
but my gripe is a general one, that we live in an increasingly medicalised
world.
Natural conditions are transformed into marathons
of ‘experience,’ with ‘problems’ to be faced and ‘overcome,’ as if we are
climbing a mountain and need to be provided with ropes, axes, and crampons. Don’t
forget the ‘special diet,’ either, to compensate for all the things that will
now and forever be missing, or to provide for the ‘new’ and ‘challenging’
things we will face in any new or unfamiliar condition in which we find ourselves.
Of course, it is essential to be aware and
alert, to monitor our health and take steps to preserve strength and wellbeing.
It is also important to maintain a sense of balance.
There is no cure for life.
It's a tricky subject. Do we "soldier on" as women did for centuries, or do we take advantage of all that can make life easier? I soldiered on for a while through hot flushes, but when they got worse and I also had "crawling skin" I went to my doctor and got HRT pills, gold stars to whoever invented them! I don't believe in making a big deal out of anything "marathons of experience"?? Not too sure about any need for the "special diet" to make up for all the things we are missing. Does anyone change their diet because of menopause?
ReplyDeleteApparently, there are diet books specially designed for menopausal women.
DeleteI think you were wise to seek help when you needed it.
I was one of those annoying women who had no symptoms at all except the slow cessation of periods. At an annual mot with the doc he asked and I said I get very hot and flushed at about 6pm so he prescribed HRT. It was 3 days later I realised it was standing by the Aga cooking tea that was causing it! The tablets stoppped! My sume experience of menopause. I do feel that the impression is that EVERY women will suffer which must cause anxiety before the event. I do sympathise though having had friends who suffered Su
ReplyDeleteI laughed aloud at the Aga!
DeleteI was another of those fortunate enough to have missed any really unpleasant symptoms although I did frequently become quite hot and bothered.
ReplyDeleteI hear there is some discussion about granting paid menopause leave now?
Yes, and also for menstruation - I mean, I know some women have terrible periods - my youngest daughter used to - but it's not an illness, unless it's endometriosis, which can be truly awful.
DeleteMine was not hell, but I certainly knew it was upon me, I just got on with life as best I could, I was only 50, I can remember hearing my mum's words 'pull your socks up, life is for living' better than any pills.
ReplyDeleteIt can certainly be a nuisance, but most of us are still working, many with a family and older parents to consider, so, yes, we just get on with it.
DeleteI couldn't agree more. It's like taking people's experience from them and putting it in the hands of 'experts' even if it's not needed.
ReplyDeleteYou've hit the nail on the head.
DeleteEverything seems to be more dramatic for the younger generations. Where we just dealt with it and moved on they have major issues and we couldn't possibly know what they're going through. I just have to laugh at them.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that we all have to experience hardship, and if there isn't much, we must invent it.
DeleteI live with someone whose temperatures seem to be continually elevated even thought the hot flashes are more or less gone. And the need for sleep increased, as in more has been needed.
ReplyDeleteLikewise. I'm never the right temperature, either too hot or too cold.
Delete"There is no cure for life"? I can think of one. It has five letters and begins with a "d".
ReplyDeleteDeath is not a cure - it's a conclusion.
DeleteYou correctly say there is no cure for life, but for some women, the female physical issues as they age are absolutely awful. Whatever anyone's problem is, if medication can help, take it, and don't be martyrs to 'It's just part of life'.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. Martyrs are a pain to live with, but please don't exaggerate normal conditions.
DeleteJust got on with it. Dr. wanted me to take HRT but why? Life is just regular living.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wonder if doctors reap any benefit from prescribing medicines.
DeleteNo cure for life-well said -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete😁
ReplyDeleteI love your last sentence.
ReplyDeleteThings like this are not allowed to be natural anymore are they, and as I've found out treatments for things like menopause can cause more problems than they cure.
Alison in Devon x
'First do no harm' - isn't that what doctors are told to remember?
DeleteWell, of course I don't know a thing about menopause, but you're right that we don't need to "treat" everything.
ReplyDeleteIs there anyone in the world who hasn't got a 'condition' to be cured?
DeleteAnd the medical community (especially male) makes this sound like a one time event. Boom! Change. You're done! Menopause is cyclic and occurs many times during a woman's later years.
ReplyDeleteRound and round we go, like the horses on a carousel.
DeleteHi Janice - I'm just glad I could keep on the HRT and thank goodness for that ... I'd had some bad experiences and enough was enough. Well done for writing it up for us - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it was helpful for you, Hilary. 😊
DeleteI've just been put on medicine that I've been told could cause effects similar to those of the menopause. "Good," I told the surgeon, "I'll have warm feet again!"
ReplyDelete🤣😂
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing more about it defo. I agree with you about everyone having to sensationalise everything more nowadays. But also, in some ways though, it's good to know that perhaps the reason why I now wake up super early despite being exhausted and feel anxious is my hormones even if I haven't 'done' anything about it. (it's been a year of disturbed sleep) Perhaps, just knowing that it's something other people experience, because more people are talking about it, is enough and is helpful. For me certainly.
ReplyDelete