Psychosomatic and Symbolic Aspects of
Menstruation
Dr. Nelson Soucasaux, Brazilian gynecologist
Let us go to a brief analysis of some of the many psychosomatic,
somatopsychic,
archetypal and symbolic aspects of menstruation. Considering that
this organ
unique to women which is the uterus is also the only one in the
human body
whose physiology exhibits the characteristic of periodic bleeding,
menstruation
has always constituted a phenomenon of the greatest importance in
woman's
nature. Women experience the menstrual bleeding not only in its
objective
aspects (physiological and medical), but also in the subjective
ones (symbolic
and archetypic). To women, the occurrence of menstruations with
normal characteristics
within the expected periods works as a sign, though relative and
of approximated
value, of their physiological normality concerning the female
nature. At
least, it is an indication that the cyclical pattern that
characterizes
the woman's physiology is preserved. At the same time, for women
with an
active sexual life, the coming of menstruation means absence of
pregnancy
- at least most of the time, for, as we know, there are
exceptions.
The way through which women experience the menstrual bleeding is
one
of the many parameters by which their pattern of relationship with
the female
nature can be evaluated. Considering the archetypal symbolism of
blood,
we can easily deduce that, for women, the constant experience of
this cyclical
uterine bleeding which is menstruation increases more and more
their capacity
of deeply experiencing the organic and visceral processes typical
of the
female nature - especially those related to their sexual organs
and the
intimacy of their pelvis.
Given the enormous emotional and archetypal importance of the
genitals,
bleeding originating from these organs - even physiological, as
menstruation
- end by acquiring a very special symbolism. Several fantasies
associating
blood and sexuality may arise. In this way, through the symbolism
of menstruation
women can somatically express many of their psycho-sexual and
emotional
problems. Through the psychosomatic pathways, innumerable
conflicts related
to women's nature can be directly or indirectly projected on the
body originating
the more varied menstrual alterations. On the other hand, through
the somatopsychic
pathways, menstrual disorders can give rise to psychological
conflicts in
relation to this aspect of female nature.
With some frequency, female attitudes regarding this cyclical
uterine
bleeding are somewhat ambiguous. For widely known reasons, the
coming of
the menses at the expected time is considered of great importance
by almost
all women. There is always a considerable preoccupation regarding
the menstrual
bleeding - not only in relation to the regularity of its
occurrence, but
also to the characteristics of the flow (volume, duration, aspect,
associated
signs and symptoms, etc.). Therefore, menstruation is always an
event of
great significance to women, being also one of the female
archetypal symbols
of femininity.
However, in spite of this, the menstrual bleeding in itself is
frequently
regarded as somewhat "uncomfortable" - even when asymptomatic
and entirely normal from the medical point of view. As I always
used to
remark, variable degrees of resentment concerning several
biological peculiarities
of the female nature can be often found in many women. It is
evident that,
as menstruation goes along with those typical pelvic discomforts
that vary
from a diffuse painfulness to moderate and intense cramps,
negative attitudes
regarding this cyclical uterine bleeding become more frequent.
These negative
attitudes, in turn, establish a vicious cycle that intensifies the
symptomatology.
At the somatic level we must remember that, in the absence of
organic
pathology, dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps) is usually due to
strong uterine
contractions caused by an increased production of prostaglandins
in the
premenstrual and menstrual endometrium, during the regression and
necrosis
of this tissue. Greater contractile response of the myometrium to
normal
levels of prostaglandins during menstruation can be found in many
cases,
also giving rise to dysmenorrhea. Also at the somatic level,
premenstrual
pelvic congestion is responsible for the diffuse pelvic
painfulness and
discomfort that often occurs on the days that precede the coming
of menstruation.
The menstrual bleeding is always endowed with a powerful
symbolic force.
Because of this, as I always used to remark, women can somatically
express
many of their emotional problems through the symbolism of
menstruation.
The text above is an excerpt from my book "Os Órgãos
Sexuais Femininos: Forma, Função, Símbolo e Arquétipo"
("The Female Sexual Organs: Shape, Function, Symbol and
Archetype").
More information can be found at
http://www.nelsonginecologia.med.br/orgaos.htm
©Nelson Soucasaux
_____________________________________________________
Nelson Soucasaux is a gynecologist dedicated to clinical,
preventive
and psychosomatic gynecology. Graduated in 1974 from Faculdade
de Medicina
da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he is the
author of several
articles published in medical journals and of the books "Novas
Perspectivas
em Ginecologia" ("New Perspectives in Gynecology") and "Os
Órgãos Sexuais Femininos: Forma, Função, Símbolo
e Arquétipo" ("The Female Sexual Organs: Shape, Function,
Symbol and Archetype"), published by Imago Editora, Rio de
Janeiro,
1990, 1993.
© 2001 Harry Finley.
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