MENOPAUSE - LESSONS FROM ANTHROPOLOGY

Objectives: In North America and Europe, it is usually assumed that bi ological changes associated with the end of menstruation and the onset of specific diseases commonly associated with the postmenopausal cond ition are universal. Using an anthropological approach in which menopa use is understood as a concept that is historically and culturally pro duced, an argument is made for additional systematic investigation of what protects the majority of women from distress at menopause, and wh at factors contribute to a healthy old age. Method: Survey research ba sed on questionnaire responses, together with open-ended interviews an d textual analyses, were used. Results: Differences are demonstrated i n postmenopausal experiences and symptom reporting in Japan as compare d with Canada and the United States. Reporting of hot flashes and nigh ts sweats is significantly lower in Japan. These findings, together wi th the well established figures about greater longevity and lower inci dence of heart disease, breast cancer, and osteoporosis in Japan, comp ared with North America, indicate that cultural and biological variabl es act in concert to produce this variation. Theories about the evolut ion of menopause and demographic data on aging are also discussed. Thi s data challenges the widely held assumption that populations of postm enopausal women only recently have come into existence because of cult ural and technological interventions. Conclusions: Postmenopausal wome n have been present in human populations since homo sapiens first evol ved. Culturally mediated life styles affect both the menopausal experi ence and the health of women as they age. Additional investigations ar e needed.