Mimeo HE-370
January 1963
(Revised)
Purdue University
Cooperative Extension Service
Lafayette, Indiana
THE GOOD MIDDLE YEARS
Dorothy V. Mummery
Family Life Specialist
Much misunderstanding exists concerning menopause, commonly referred to as "change of life." This misunderstanding, based on myths, old wives stories, superstition, etc., has existed since ancient times—it still exists in the minds of many people. For example, have you ever heard that menopause causes certain diseases, such as cancer? That it is the end of normal life functions? That it makes women unattractive? That it is the beginning of the end of their lives as women.
These are a few of the myths that women have heard concerning menopause.
These tales passed on by word of mouth frequently create fear of menopause. It is this fear, based on misinformation, that frequently causes many of the difficulties and trying times experienced by women. The worry and anxiety about the "dreadful" changes brought on by menopause serve to make this normal life process more difficult.
It is the purpose of this mimeo to refute the myths and old wives stories by presenting sound, practical information concerning menopause.
Women fear the menopause
1.	They fear "insanity". Yet, the idea that menopause brings insanity has been completely disproved (Levine, Reference 1).
2.	They fear loss of youth and bloom. This is an old idea which facts do not bear out.
3.	They fear it is the end of the marriage relationship.
4.	They fear pregnancy also.
5.	They fear loss of their husband’s love.
6.	They fear loss of their job.
7.	They fear loss of position, influence, security.
8.	They fear loss of their families' respect and need of them.

Why do women (and men) persist in these fears and superstitions?
1.	Because they learned about womanly functions in the school of "they say" in which false notions are handed down from generation to generation.
These fears are kept alive because it is only the exceptional women who do suffer considerable discomfort (coupled with fears) who talk about it. If you stop to think, you will realize many of your friends are now quietly past the change. Change of life for them was so little trouble that they rarely thought of it, and consequently seldom mentioned it. Besides, it was so undramatic that it doesn’t make good conversation. The more voluble woman, on the other hand, keeps everyone constantly aware of the miseries that accompany her change.
2.	Only recently have doctors been able to study the menopause. They were hampered by false modesty and morality.
So for sometime, doctors handed down misinformation as well as the general public.
Since menopause is so recently a subject of scientific study, there are still some things we do not know about it. And there is not complete agreement, as you may have discovered from articles you have read. But there is enough scientific knowledge to dispel the myths. Yet ideas of 100 years ago still persist in the minds of many people.
Need it be feared?
The answer is "no." The menopause is as natural as the onset of menstruation.
What may seem astonishing is that most women have no symptoms due to the menopause as such.