Menopausal Women In Rural Areas
Well, there’s an assumption that women who live in the countryside suffer from menopause more then others. Let’s have a look whether it is wrong or right.
Menopause is a special time for any woman and it can be physically and psychologically unsettling in a woman’s life. It is a time of hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep and ever-changing mood shifts. These debilitating symptoms can significantly interfere with family life, close or distant relationships and work. And the fact is that the impact of menopause often depends on where a woman is in her life. And in rural areas it is much harder to cope with menopause. Why? Let’s see.
First of all, there’s the lack of female rural doctors. You can’t deny it. But country women want better medical expertise on the subject of menopause. They need better healthcare support that is impossible in rural areas at present. As a result, lack of access to health care and support groups make menopausal experience especially stressful for such women.
Second of all, there’s lack of psychological support. Country women (and all women, beg your pardon) entering menopause seek some sympathy. But, unfortunately, countryside can’t provide them with reliable information and mere human understanding. Of course, there such thing as Internet, TV and mass-media, but, to tell you the truth, I personally don’t believe that these things can give you comfort and consolation in such issues as menopause. They just give a certain amount of conflicting information. Hence, country women are left alone in their confusion and distress.
Third of all, country women have to perform multiple care-giving roles. You can deny it, but this is true, they have much more occupations and responsibilities than other women. Having no time and to think and care about such things as menopause, country women are often deeply surprised by the intensity of the psychological, physical and social consequences of menopause when it strikes them.
What can be done about it? Actually I can see at least two options here. One of them is to offer holistic care and comprehensive support to rural women going through the menopause. I believe, it would enhance the women’s well-being as they go through menopause and enable them to optimize their health. Another option would be to train female community leaders to deliver local information sessions and help to set up support groups.
And last but not least. Menopause is a significant life event affecting millions of women globally. And women living in rural communities should not be forgotten.
Posted by By: Admin | 
2008/01/06 | Sexuality | Trackback | Comments [RSS 2.0]
