---
title: Culture May Influence How Women Experience Menopause
date: 2015-06-05T03:00:00-04:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/culture-may-influence-how-women-experience-menopause"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Culture May Influence How Women Experience Menopause

Even though hormonal changes after menopause produce similar symptoms in many women, cultural differences can still shape how people experience this stage of life, a study suggests.

> Researchers reviewed results from an online survey asking 8,200 older men and women in North America and Europe how menopause impacted their sex lives and relationships and found similar complaints in different countries. But the magnitude of suffering for typical symptoms such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes and weight gain varied by nationality.

[Read the full article ](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-menopause-perceptions/culture-may-influence-how-women-experience-menopause-idUSKBN0OL1XH20150605)

SOURCE: Reuters Health • AUTHOR: Lisa Rapaport • LAST UPDATED: June 5, 2015

![Woman Smiling Leaning on Hand](data:image/png;base64,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) Vladimir Soares/Unsplash

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ menopause & perimenopause](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/menopause-perimenopause)
- [ diverse lived experiences of the menstrual cycle](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/diverse-lived-experiences-menstrual-cycle)
- [culture](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/culture)
- [menopause](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/menopause)

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[read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us)

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An interview with Dr. Inga Winkler about menstrual stigma – what it is, how it is perpetuated, and ways to combat it.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-menstrual-experts-surprising-tips-on-how-to-talk-about-your-period)

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This article imagines what accountability for sexual abuse would look like in a sex-positive, anti-carceral world.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-sex-positive-and-transformative-justice-approach-to-metoo)

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## Ageism Ignores and Insults the Competence of Adults

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## An Analysis: Manifestations and Perpetuation of Gender-Based Violence

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The Human Rights Advocacy and Research Foundation analyzes some of the reasons gender-based violence continues.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/an-analysis-manifestations-and-perpetuation-of-gender-based-violence)

[ResourcesRead

## Busting Myths about Bodily Autonomy

This helpful article and video from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) breaks down seven common myths about bodily autonomy.

![aiden-frazier-ivf0a5a6pRA-1024x683](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAADVklEQVRIiW1Wa5qcMAyTFO5/g16gl+mBOlj9ITuE2fJlQwZYyVb8CH/9/gOABAERJJQhiCRB9g0UQIAmDdqZYQA97x8GAJuAAM+jvJ+RT8/L/ciD8PqgHxnHKwNX/xf39IwyNN+yYcqQB9in0YcH3GTAZdfGqPEoj1QoPjIBBGWUIxQYk0aPLz/akctVMc+G6AoOAdIE0figQAI2CWg4AIy5jyqwze1B1Q2CAIEiCJsg4ZiOmE6wgHAQjHhN8N6nbS0IwyHIVzQnnEhU1vM3HPFOWbsNe0g428PR6Kr7k/dhDvoO3EHPYnswIcsh4ENzzoCvuz4bHV9fNNOzLb3bFMDTOQ5Fm3WAXPX5+xLxK/bzWfah042kQsOdhPv2w5vrvj+DvLPnCONtzdjOIehZVP/E8GFkBYnrfjxwp7IntF8cG0NSgCVSUpHSdme8GXWvuv9iVwmHwzbKXT0OD8ZwUVKm3GyazXsGN43r/nwmO1Bu6Jr1OLH9D2BjryVbyGBBpMcMk4RxejC49Sx2/du+q6GltQQLawgkoCWLonYk+nzQpc1lV6HsexaVopsNG9MbGgJWdortqpRaoka3edX9aX0w6OU7HEb5kKgkaVmAiEVahGkXzK7haRKpkSmFl++767NdFSdcRpXveIBOMamNFVGECJPO/FR5eZKYNsjLVQkb2wdHNtkGamI09sVM+Kt3fHWqlB3SvlzVrcodQ73dodyZzK5VLTc96k/B+89lABeqOt7HC3T07NJkQEERTVp0+jZ/DjzGhPVCTVHoPWqho4LiKU1SynkgeTuL/+RwFwmAIC5094E9bdAneiyHBAlLXIuro5VLHD4qmbxTuYlw0WlM3u2DpJzTySZoY4O+ltbi2inX164lb4Jda7qkwWrnWINOkUtrD+k61ifD1KAdqrh4NBvCmnee5giKS1pci1paK+hrSUvrcaHFOdBBYBMQMAQWkfOb2eVgBJbeTmyGlO1HnyeCcBD0Qwn1iqHRJ0jBzQiF3gRf6NmD17Fggnn6eXpKNvkt+lrc6Fufnzl3eIAcRMjH/ITUE+/SMbq1dXgS+jI1W3sRE6bz2hhTps20BNotjTsmn2kyDJNVsbjD1JPdnLPZIxifdnPk65QG9nnmp9IwDP4Dm6wuv4Io6M0AAAAASUVORK5CYII=)

This helpful article and video from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) breaks down seven common myths about bodily autonomy.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/busting-myths-about-bodily-autonomy)

[ResourcesRead

## Changing the Way We Talk about Gender-Based Violence

An academic researcher explains the real-world impact of how researchers and the media choose to talk about gender-based violence and offers recommendations

![Ehimetalor akhere unuabona violence against women protest unsplash scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

An academic researcher explains the real-world impact of how researchers and the media choose to talk about gender-based violence and offers recommendations](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/changing-the-way-we-talk-about-gender-based-violence)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Wishing I Had Knowledge of Menstrual Cycles at a Younger Age

L discusses the taboo around birth and menstruation in her French culture and the process of learning to chart her menstrual cycle as an adult.

![Free Menstruation Stock Photo Gallery:When period blood turns into art- A photo gallery](data:image/png;base64,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)

L discusses the taboo around birth and menstruation in her French culture and the process of learning to chart her menstrual cycle as an adult.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-wishing-i-had-knowledge-of-menstrual-cycles-at-a-younger-age)