Representations Of The Female Body In Menopause: Ethnographic Study In A Brazilian University Hospital

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.

摘要：随着生物学、历史学与文化之间的紧密关联，学界对女性身体的科学认知随时间推移发生了显著变迁。以绝经（menopause）为例，其定义已从衰老进程中的自然生理现象，转变为一种需要医疗与药物干预的疾病。本文以女性综合护理中心（Center for Women's Integral Care, CAISM）的绝经门诊为研究场景，剖析这一关于绝经的全新认知视角的形成逻辑。具体而言，本文探究了女性群体围绕绝经所形成的叙事，并试图厘清医学-科学话语在这类叙事中所扮演的角色。本研究的分析素材采集自2009年9月至2010年10月间的某大学附属医院，涵盖实地观察记录、宣教资料、对女性受访者与医疗从业者的访谈内容，以及参与心理支持小组的相关记录。研究证实，当前的医学知识体系以"男性化"的正常标准构建了绝经的认知框架，将女性身体塑造为需要被管控的患病客体。