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 use 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. It is illegal
to reproduce or distribute work on this Web site in any manner or medium
without written permission of the author. Please report suspected violations
to hfinley@mum.org