Representations of the female body in menopause: ethnographic study in a Brazilian university hospital

Authors

  • Rebeca Buzzo Feltrin Universidade Estadual de Campinas Instituto de Geociências Departamento de Política Científica e Tecnológica
  • Lea Velho Universidade Estadual de Campinas Instituto de Geociências Departamento de Política Científica e Tecnológica

Keywords:

social construction of science, medicalization, representations, menopause, female body

Abstract

Scientific thinking about the woman body has changed over time, as a result of the strong link between biology, history, and culture. In the specific case of menopause, its definition has moved from a natural occurrence of the aging process to a disease that needs medical and pharmaceutical intervention. This paper analyzes how this new perspective on menopause appears in the context of the Menopause Outpatient Facility at the Center for Women’s Integral Care - CAISM. In particular, it explores the narratives of the women about menopause, and attempts to identify the role of the medical-scientific discourse on such narratives. The analysis is based on material collected at the university hospital between September 2009 and October 2010, including field observations, informative materials, interviews with women and health professionals, and participation in a psychologic support group. Evidence is provided that current medical knowledge constructs menopause from a standard of ‘masculine’ normalcy, and represents the female body as sick and in need of control.

Author Biographies

Rebeca Buzzo Feltrin, Universidade Estadual de Campinas Instituto de Geociências Departamento de Política Científica e Tecnológica

AUTORES:

Rebeca Buzzo Feltrin

Doutora em Política Científica e Tecnológica

Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas-SP, Brasil

rebecafeltrin@gmail.com

 

 

Lea Velho, Universidade Estadual de Campinas Instituto de Geociências Departamento de Política Científica e Tecnológica

Lea Maria Leme Strini Velho

Professora titular em Estudos Sociais da Ciência e da Tecnologia junto ao Departamento de Política Científica e Tecnológica da Universidade Estadual de Campinas.

Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas-SP, Brasil

velho@ige.unicamp.br

Published

2016-04-20

Issue

Section

Articles