Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Menopause, a Reflection of Cultures

2. Menopause in the West: Between Taboo and Invisibility

3. Asia: Menopause as a Natural Transition

4. India, China, and Sikh Culture: Wisdom as a Reward

5. Africa: Between Stigma and Social Recognition

6. What the Science Says: Cultural Perception and Symptom Severity

7. Redefining Menopause, Together

8. FAQs on Menopause & the Héra Device

Introduction: Menopause, a Reflection of Cultures

Menopause around the world is much more than a biological milestone: it reflects social values and perceptions of the female body.

While its symptoms—hot flashes, insomnia, and mood swings—are universal, how they are perceived and their intensity depend heavily on cultural context.

This journey around the world explores how societies shape the experience of menopause, navigating themes of pain, liberation, and wisdom.

2. Menopause in the West: Between Taboo and Invisibility

In Europe and North America, menopause is often seen as a loss: a loss of youth, fertility, and, at times, femininity.

Medical and media discourse reduces it to a period of decline: weight gain, wrinkles, and a decrease in libido.

This negative perception fuels the stigma surrounding menopause. Many women go through it in silence, discomfort, and isolation.

The cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries perpetuate this unease with their "anti-aging" and hormone-based products. Yet, there are growing calls for a more positive and relaxed perspective on this stage of life.

Sources:

• Cécile Charlap, The Making of Menopause – CNRS Éditions
• PubMed,How Women Experience Menopause: The Importance of Social Context
• Susan Bordo, *Unbearable Weight* (1993)
• Manon Nougier, Menopause and Cultural Representation.

3. Asia: Menopause as a Natural Transition

In Japan, Korea, and China, menopause is not viewed as a major life change, but simply as a shift in energy.

The Japanese term kônenki actually refers to a change of phase, not an end.

Asian women report far fewer symptoms: about 10% of them experience hot flashes, compared with 75% of Western women.

This contrast can be explained by a holistic cultural approach to the body, as well as by dietary habits (soy, green tea, brown rice) and a view of aging as a time of wisdom.

Sources:

• Margaret Lock, Encounters with Aging.
• Melby et al. (2005) – PubMed
• Freeman & Sherif (2007) – Climacteric

4. India, China, and Sikh culture*: Wisdom as a Reward

In many South Asian cultures, the end of menstruation symbolizes liberation from the body.

Among Sikhs, menopause marks the end of a period of religious impurity and paves the way for a new spiritual authority.

Women are becoming figures of respect and guidance.

In China, particularly in rural areas, this period is seen as a time for passing on traditions and for inner reflection.

This spiritual approach boosts self-esteem and reduces the perception of physical symptoms.

* Sikhism, or Sikhism, is a monotheistic Dharmic religion that originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region, in the north of the Indian subcontinent.
Today, it is the fifth-largest religion in the world in terms of number of adherents, with approximately 30 million practitioners.

Sources:

• Dyer & McKeown (2002),Springer
• Sayeed Unisa (2007), Asian Population Studies
• Cambridge University Press, Women in China

5. Africa: Between Stigma and Social Recognition

In Africa, attitudes toward menopause vary widely.

In some Muslim-majority countries, it remains taboo because it is associated with infertility.

But elsewhere—in Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia, or South Africa— menopause is a symbol of power and respect.

Postmenopausal women are gaining a public voice and becoming mediators or community leaders.

This shift in roles illustrates just how much the social value of the female body varies from culture to culture.

6. What Science Tells Us: Perception and Symptoms

Scientific research confirms one essential fact:

👉 The more socially accepted menopause is, the less severe the symptoms tend to be.

This correlation can be explained by reduced stress and shame, as well as greater acceptance of the aging body.

Thus, the experience of menopause is not solely biological: it is also shaped by collective beliefs, spirituality, and women’s own voices.

 

7. Conclusion: Redefining Menopause, Together

Menopause around the world teaches us that this stage of life is not an end, but a cultural and personal rebirth.

To turn this moment into a positive experience, we need to change the narrative, encourage open communication, and offer natural, body-friendly solutions.

With this in mind, Athana developed Héra, a 100% natural, hormone-free portable cryotherapy device that instantly relieves hot flashes.

A gentle and elegant innovation for a different approach to menopause.

8. FAQ: Menopause & the Héra device

What is menopause?

It is a natural stage in a woman’s life, marked by the cessation of menstruation for 12 consecutive months, typically around the age of 50.

What are the most common symptoms?

Hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, irritability, vaginal dryness, joint pain, fatigue.

Do all women experience menopause the same way?

No. Life experiences depend on genetics, lifestyle, mental health… and, above all, culture.

How does Héra work?

Héra applies a cooling sensation of 5 to 10 °C to temperature-sensitive areas (the back of the neck, wrists, and face) to relieve hot flashes in less than 10 seconds.

Is Héra a medical device?

Not yet: it is currently marketed as a wellness device. However, Class 2A clinical trials will begin in 2025 to establish its medical recognition.

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