Understanding our bodies is liberating and empowering - isn't it?

[BlogOnTheTyne]

Just thought I'd try posting in this section of MN after starting a thread in the Menopause Forum ("The Rage!!!!!!!!!! Why?)

I'm interested in finding out more about exactly how my perimenopausal 'Rage' is promoted by specific interactions between hormones, neurotransmitters and areas of the brain. I'm bringing this to the Feminist section because I've been seen as a bit weird, I think, to want to know precisely what goes on in my body - ie the specifics of the biology. I found this response unusual.

I see deeper knowledge as empowering and liberating and potentially able to elicit detachment and thus greater control over the tides of our monthly cycles.

I know there was a recent thread in this section about menstuation being something natural and empowering. I don't share that view - well not the bit about it being empowering. I think it's held women back and I'm also aghast that even now, 'women's problems' are still not taken seriously, not researched enough and are treated with a fairly blunt instrument - like HRT etc etc.

I've found, lifelong, that having more scientific understanding can help me to feel more free from the vagaries of my body, more able to have come control over my response to my body - eg if I know why I'm experiencing a pain, then I don't always need to take a painkiller. The knowledge can reduce additional anxiety and thus make the pain tolerable.

I want to be able to apply the same principle to perimenopause and all it brings.

I can't seem to get the link to my thread over in Menopause but in essence, I'm suprised that the response to my search for greater knowledge and understanding has been perceived as weird and this ignited my feminist self.

What do people think?

[TheLightPassenger]

I have little knowledge of the menopause, but it sounds perfectly sensible to me, that you want to understand the scientific basis for menopause symptoms

[foxinsocks]

It's a pain isn't it. Mine are definitely hormonal fgs. Older I get, the less I care I have to say

[solidgoldbrass]

I have never been free of spots since I hit puberty. Well, apart from in the second trimester of pregnancy... other than that I have been Ms Pizza Face for most of my life.

[BasilFoulEggs]

op I know nothing, but germaine greer wrote a book on the menopause called the change, which may be helpful?

[foxinsocks]

Yes and I think the same logic applies to anything to do with your body.

I am peri menopausal and have terrible spots.

Ironically dd is hitting the age when she is getting spots too .

Never did I think we'd both be having hormonal problems at the same time fgs!

If anyone ever has problems with the menopause or peri, I have seen a brilliant gynae (London) who is utterly marvellous and LISTENS!

[CatitaInaHatita]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/menopause/1431641-The-RAGE-Why

Here's your thread. I am watching with interest, but sadly have nothing wise or useful to add.

[Malificence]

I feel exactly as you do, I like knowing my body and what's happening to it, the nurse who did my smear yesterday was surprised I knew my cycle so well , i.e. the differences between my peri symptoms depending on whether I ovulate during my cycle or not. My emotions get the better of me occasionally but mostly I'm able to reason with myself that I feel the way I due because of what my body is doing and that it will pass fairly quickly.