Menopause Magic | Dianne Caskie | TEDxShanghai American School Puxi

Introduction to the Female Form and Fertility

• Men were historically involved in designing the female form, with two men being introduced as examples, King and another man, who described women as producing babies, bleeding for 40-45 years, and having blood come from their elbows, which is an inaccurate representation of the female body (38s).
• The original design for women included having babies constantly for 40 years, with an estimated 53.3 babies, but this has changed over time, and women now have a choice to have babies or not, with most women only wanting to be fertile for about 5 years (1m32s).
• The "Blood baby thing" was described as including symptoms such as water retention, sore breasts, cramps, terrible moods, and more, which were deemed insufferable, and the solution was to hide women away for that week every month (2m5s).
• Men's symptoms were described as including erections, fuzzy faces, and balding heads, and they were said to shave every day and go fishing sometimes (2m20s).
• The connection between the "Blood thing" and moon cycles was mentioned, but the reason for this connection was unclear (2m41s).

Menopause: The Big Fright and the Monstrous Mess

• Once a woman has reared her children, supported her partner, developed a career, and completed unpaid work in the house, she will experience a big fright, which is menopause (2m47s).
• Menopause was described as a monstrous mess of fluids, aches, life, and fear, and it was noted that it wasn't an overnight process (3m7s).
• The first flush, or hot flash, was described as a time when the female body is out of control, with body temperature fluctuations, exhaustion, and more (3m28s).
• Menopause is a 5-10 year transition from fertile to non-fertile, and it is a time of irregular periods, flushes, embarrassment, fear, selflessness, incontinence, and more (4m19s).
• The term "menopause" comes from the Greek phrase "monthly thoughts," and it is a time when estrogen is disappearing from the system, leading to a range of symptoms (4m1s).
• Menopause has been referred to as a critical age, and menopausal women have been described as quarrelsome, vexatious, and overbearing, with a range of negative symptoms and emotions (4m30s).

Menopause: A Natural Transition and Evolutionary Genius

• Menopause is a natural part of life, and it's not just a disease, but rather a brilliant evolutionary genius that allows women to reinvent themselves and make changes (5m23s).
• Estrogen plays a crucial role in the female body, affecting not only the reproductive system but also cholesterol, blood sugar levels, bone and muscle mass, circulation, blood flow, collagen production, and brain function (5m39s).
• When estrogen disappears during menopause, it can be replaced by a sense of freedom and positivity, but it also brings considerable overlap with anxiety and depression symptoms (6m13s).
• Menopause affects women of all ages, cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds, including the trans community, and it's essential to consider gender diversity and not forget that not all women have ovaries or become mothers (6m46s).

Historical Context of Menopause

• Historically, menopause was spoken about in hushed tones, and it was only over the past 200 years that women have lived long enough to experience it, making it a relatively new phenomenon (7m17s).
• In the past, menopause was often misunderstood, and women were subjected to inhumane treatments, including being labeled as "hysterical" and being forced to undergo hysterectomies or electroshock therapy (7m52s).
• The term "hysteria" comes from the Greek word "hystera," meaning uterus, and it was used to describe women's emotions and behaviors during menopause (7m55s).
• Many cultures have a tradition of devaluing older women, relegating them to the sidelines, and fearing their dependency and loss of fertility function (8m7s).
• In some cultures, signs of aging, such as chin hairs and wrinkles, were considered proof of sorcery, and women were often misunderstood and mistreated (8m31s).

Cultural Perspectives on Menopause

• Researchers have found that culture can affect a woman's experience of menopause, and in societies where age is revered, menopause symptoms are significantly less severe (9m17s).
• Attitudes towards menopause are changing, and people are becoming increasingly educated, but many still judge middle-aged women based on their fertility, femininity, and youthfulness (9m34s).
• Western media has minimized menopause by treating it as a taboo illness, and Germaine Greer has stated that our aversion to the menopausal woman is the result of our intolerance for female rage (9m59s).
• Many cultures view older women as a repository for everything that is wrong with society, and social media can perpetuate this negativity, as seen in the "Karen" meme, which, although not directly about menopause, is a close example of how women can be attacked online (10m16s).
• A UK survey found that 60% of women reported that menopause negatively affected their work, and 30% of women missed work due to menopause symptoms (10m41s).
• The UK Samaritans group states that the highest suicide rate for UK females is between the ages of 54 and 59 (10m53s).
• In contrast, some cultures view menopause more positively, such as in Chinese medicine, which refers to it as the "second spring," a time of rebirth and regeneration (11m5s).
• Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been found to be effective in reducing menopause symptoms, and some women prefer it over hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (11m31s).
• The Asian diet, high in soy and fiber, may also contribute to fewer hot flashes in Asian women compared to those on a Western diet (11m43s).
• In some cultures, such as Islamic, Indian, and African societies, menopausal women enjoy greater social freedom and are often seen as spiritual leaders (12m4s).
• However, many women, especially from less wealthy cultures, lack access to support and resources for managing menopause symptoms (12m40s).

Personal Experiences with Menopause

• The speaker's personal experience with menopause was marked by a significant change in her life, from being active and engaged to feeling angry, sweaty, and self-critical, but hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helped her regain her life and energy (14m24s).
• The speaker's sons initially responded to her menopause with patronizing and stereotypical gifts, but eventually, she was able to find new activities and interests, and her family supported her through this transition (13m12s).
• A personal experience of menopause involved physical changes, such as hot flashes, and emotional struggles, including feelings of shame and frustration, leading to a period of transition and self-discovery (14m52s).
• The lack of information and support during menopause led to feelings of fear and uncertainty, with the only resource being a late '90s edition menopause book from Amazon that presented a terrifying and negative view of menopause (16m9s).
• However, with time and self-reflection, a new perspective on menopause emerged, focusing on empowerment, control, and joy, leading to a renewed sense of purpose and identity (16m30s).

The Menopause Maidens and the Rebranding of Menopause

• The concept of a "menopause tribe" was formed, consisting of like-minded women who support and celebrate each other, and who call themselves the "menopause maidens" (17m11s).
• The menopause maidens organized a wedding-themed event, where each member was encouraged to wear an inappropriate wedding dress, symbolizing a change in narrative and a celebration of menopause (17m18s).
• The three best things in life mentioned were having babies, getting married, and menopause, highlighting the importance of finding joy and empowerment in all stages of life (17m38s).
• The idea of "menopause magic" was introduced, emphasizing the need to rebrand menopause as a positive and empowering experience, rather than a negative and frightening one (18m14s).

Menopause as a New Chapter and a Power Surge

• A "menopause manifesto" was shared, encouraging others to spread the word and celebrate menopause as a time of transformation and growth (18m18s).
• The concept of "shifting" was discussed, highlighting the transition from ignorance to knowledge, and from fear to welcome, and the importance of embracing change and reinvention (18m27s).
• The idea that menopause is not an expiry date, but rather a new chapter in life, was emphasized, encouraging women to recreate, recharge, and reinvent themselves (18m46s).
• The importance of finding one's own metaphor for menopause, such as a phoenix or a roller coaster, was highlighted, encouraging women to enjoy the chance of constant reinvention (18m54s).
• The idea that women don't have hot flashes, but rather "power surges," was shared, emphasizing the need to celebrate menopause as a passage to new beginnings (19m9s).

Call to Action and Spreading the Word

• The call to action was to celebrate menopause and to spread the word about the positive and empowering aspects of this stage of life (19m25s).
• The audience is encouraged to take the message of menopause home, think about it, speak to people, and investigate, to raise awareness and normalize the conversation around menopause (19m40s).
• The audience is divided into two groups to shout "menopause" and the side that wins gets sweets, with the goal of making the topic more approachable and fun (20m7s).

Managing Menopause and Finding Support

• To address any medical issue, including menopause, it's essential to get passionate, deepen knowledge, find a healer, connect with a supportive community, eat well, exercise, and manage stress (21m6s).
• The audience is assigned homework to watch the UK comedy "Bridget Jones's Diary" and its episode "The Change," which humorously portrays women's transitions and reminds viewers that men don't change in the same way (21m19s).

Celebrating Older People and Concluding Remarks

• The importance of celebrating and appreciating older people is emphasized, with a suggestion to buy them a present and enjoy their company, especially on special occasions like Mother's Day (21m55s).
• The talk concludes with a song, celebrating the journey and progress made, and expressing gratitude and appreciation (22m1s).