Cristina Zenato

Cristina Zenato Instagram – Entering the third stage in a woman’s life, under the general umbrella of menopause. Traditionally, this phase begins around 50; however, many women experience it younger, naturally and medically
I want to talk about how some cultures associate menopause with aging and a tremendous sense of loss, as if entering this stage, the woman becomes less than a woman. This implies that the work of my womb should define me, and once that is no longer working, I, as an individual, lose my worth
Provided that I elected not to have children, I find these thoughts damaging towards women and the broader roles that we play in life and society
We need to challenge the negative cultural perceptions of aging that contribute to the shame and stigma around menopause
While women are usually aware of hot flashes and period changes, many don’t know of other symptoms, including heart palpitations, UTI, anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, mental confusion, incontinence, osteoporotic symptoms & vasomotor symptoms
One morning, I woke up at the bottom of a dark hole. I was sitting in it, feeling the world’s weight on my shoulders, no explanations, no triggers, no warnings. Just a deep sense of sadness, as if life had been sucked out of my soul. No matter what I did or tried to think, it was a heaviness I could not lift, and it left me sad and confused. As it appeared so it disappeared
Now imagine dealing with it while running a trip, or teaching a class. I still do it, as do many other women, but it’s not easy, and I wish I could share it without shame
When I started to inquire about it, I felt undertreated, and my symptoms trivialized; directly told to “suck it up.” When I asked questions, I heard, “It’s different for each one of you; hence, we cannot study it”
We need a more open conversation about all the aspects of what women go through, not being afraid to share the downs together with the ups. It starts among us, mentioning words that have for a long time whispered and hushed in the corner of a room as if it is something only a few have experienced and should be ashamed of.
Reflection post | Posted on 05/May/2024 20:48:29