The Dark History of Menopause: From Witch Hunts to Modern Understanding

Send us a textImagine being labeled as diabolical just for aging. In our latest episode, we unravel the dark history of menopause, starting from the grim perceptions of the 1560s where midlife women were often persecuted as witches. You'll hear shocking anecdotes, including a poignant story of a woman who was sent to an asylum in the 1960s due to menopause, reflecting the severe stigmas of the past. We retrace the journey from the coining of the term "menopause" in 1821 by a French physician to today’s nuanced understanding of this highly individualized experience. Discover how diet impacts menopause symptoms like shoulder pain, as we gather insights from listeners worldwide who share their personal symptoms and treatments. We juxtapose these modern experiences with historical treatments, revealing the harsh realities women faced, such as lobotomies for postpartum depression. Celebrating the evolution of women's roles in society, this episode underscores their resilience and progress, from fighting for job opportunities to leading companies and participating in politics. Navigating the labyrinth of menopause treatment options is challenging but essential. We stress the importance of sharing experiences and seeking advice from reliable sources like the Mayo Clinic while acknowledging the difficulty of distinguishing between emotional stress and hormonal imbalances. Blood work becomes a beacon of understanding amid the chaos of midlife transitions, which often include caring for aging parents. Embrace these changes with us, and join the conversation on our social media channels, where we continue to support each other through the overwhelming yet transformative journey of midlife. NationalLibrary of Medicine https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28042728/ https://oldoperatingtheatre.com/ https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(23)00112-X/abstract Support the showThanks for listening! Follow us on our social channels https://www.youtube.com/@Letstalkmidlifecrisis-mh2bf/videos https://www.instagram.com/letstalkmidlifecrisis/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091451734861 https://www.x.com/letstalkmlc Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/lets-talk-midlife-crisis-podcast/donations Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/let-s-talk-midlife-crisis-podcast--6627644/support. Season 3 is HERE! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.