The Loss of a Cyclical Self: Exploring Perspectives on Menstruation and Menopause. Exploring Perspectives on Menstruation and Menopause

This article explores the profound impact of menstruation and menopause on people’s sense of self, as shaped by the lenses of medical experts and advocates of the cyclical living movement. Drawing from personal experience of premature menopause, it reflects on the narratives surrounding reproductive health and the cultural significance attached to these bodily transitions. The article moves beyond a discussion of the complex emotions associated with the loss of reproductive potential and highlights a less often discussed topic in this age of fem-tech: the perceived missed opportunity for self-exploration through the menstrual cycle, for people who do not menstruate (any longer).