A feminist analysis of the menopause discourse

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Charlotte Loppie
Interdisciplinary Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Barbara Keddy
Professor, School of Nursing and Women's Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

PP: 092 - 099

Abstract

Menopause has been viewed as a medical condition which needs to be treated. The discourse surrounding the process reflects a positivist paradigm without acknowledgement of the lived experiences of women who have been given conflicting information.

In this paper we write about the dilemmas faced by peri menopausal, menopausal and post menopausal women as they grapple with the issues that focus on 'symptoms', rather than a natural phenomenon. We point out that the 'science' of menopause is class, race and gender biased as we present a feminist analysis of the concerns facing mid life women.

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Keywords

menopause; discourse analysis; women's health; ageing

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References

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