Menopause is a significant life transition, often surrounded by misconceptions and negative stereotypes. Understanding the wisdom of menopause can transform this phase into a period of empowerment.
Many women wonder if the ovaries stop working after menopause. No, they don’t, but the truth is more complex than that. This article will explore the insights gained from this journey and offer guidance on how to effectively embrace the changes ahead.
Let’s celebrate the wisdom of menopause and navigate this important life stage with confidence.
Defining Menopause
The average age of menopause is 51 and is defined as a full year without a period. At the time of this writing, I’m 51, so I’ve been thinking about this transition for some time. I’m still having my periods, but I can feel changes happening, both in my body and my spirit. 2025 Update: I’m now three years post-menopause, and I can report that so far, it’s been pretty great! Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change. I stopped resisting the change, and that helped tremendously.
Negative stereotypes surrounding menopause
When I began researching menopause, I felt a strong resistance. This was likely due to negative stereotypes, jokes, and many unpleasant symptoms that people focused on. Here’s the thing…menopause is not a pathology! I know many women who go through menopause easily. They often feel better and live more authentically after menopause. This doesn’t mean a woman may not benefit from HRT; lots of women do! I’m just saying this is an opportunity to make shifts in your life, embrace your power, and be your authentic self, whether you do HRT or not. Every woman is unique, and there are many ways to achieve menopause empowerment.
Cultural attitudes get deeply ingrained, so I was a bit depressed about entering this phase of my life. But still, I needed to understand what the hell was about to happen to my body. I went to the bookstore and picked up Dr. Christiane Northrup’s book, The Wisdom of Menopause. As if menopause were something to be ashamed of, I walked up to the counter, holding the book tight to my chest. Once I got home and read a part of the book, my view changed completely. I thought, “Oh, yes, bring on the menopause!” I am excited about this stage of my life. Dr. Northrup has a way of conveying how powerful this life stage is, and it can be something to actually look forward to.
There are many books and blogs about the challenges of menopause. Instead, let us focus on the true essence of this life stage. We can embrace and celebrate our power during this time by learning from the wise women amongst us.
Wise Women Words
Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., refers to the years between the ages of forty-two and forty-nine as midlife metamorphosis, when a woman begins in earnest to create her life in such a way that her innermost values are lived out in her everyday activities. During this stage, she is more apt to tell the truth than ever before in her life and less apt to make excuses for others.
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The Uterus & Ovaries Don't Stop Working After Menopause!
“The uterus produces substances that affect brain function and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, it carries on a hormonal conversation with the ovaries, playing an important role in the function of these organs for as long as 25 years past
Menopause Empowerment & Abdominal Massage
Just because you’re no longer bleeding doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from abdominal massage therapy. It’s truly a chance to let your uterus speak and embody menopause empowerment. Remember, the uterus and ovaries continue to function for up to 25 years after menopause has occurred.
The symbolism in this image reminds me of the Mayan idea of the three phases of Ixchel. It also connects to other cultural views of the triple goddess.
Resources for Navigating Menopause
I asked some of my wise women friends what their favorite books on the metamorphosis of
The Seven Sacred Rites of
Goddesses in Older Women:: Archetypes in Women Over Fifty
How to Be an Elder: Myths and Stories of the Wise Woman Archetype
References
Resources thank you to Janice Stensrude for her research
THE UTERUS: A NECESSARY LOSS?
1. Reider, Dorothy Krasnoff. Hysterectomy & Oophorectomy. In The New Ourselves Growing Older: Women Aging with Knowledge and Power, PB Doress-Worters & DL Siegal (eds.) New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994
2. Edelstein, Barbara, The Woman Doctor’s Medical Guide for Women (New York: Wm. Morrow 1982) as quoted in Lee Rothberg, “Hysterectomy: The Shocking Truth,” The Woman’s Newspaper, 1986
3. West, Stanley with Paula Dranov, The Hysterectomy Hoax. New York: Doubleday, 1994
4. Cutler, Winnifred B., Ph.D. Hysterectomy: Before & After. New York: Harper & Row, 1988
5. Zussman L, Zussman S, Sunley R, Bjornson E. Sexual response after hysterectomy-oophorectomy: Recent studies and reconsideration of psycogenesis. Am J Obs Gyne 1981;140:725-729
6. Coffey, Nora. Hysterectomy Educational Resource Services (HERS), 422 Bryn Mawr, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. Tel. 215-667-7757
Author: Barbara Horsley has more than 26 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist. She specializes in abdominal massage and Visceral Manipulation™ and is an NCBTMB-approved educator. In addition to being certified in abdominal massage, she also studied biomechanics and restorative exercise. She is also a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator and a graduate of the IWHI Perimenopause & Menopause Certificate Program.