Podcast
Important phases in a woman’s life cycle, such as menstruation and menopause, can have a significant impact on well-being and mental health. However, there is still a lack of information on these topics, and prejudices and taboos still persist. These are some of the topics discussed in the most recent episode of the podcast “Que Voz é Essa?”, with the participation of Maria João Avelino, psychiatrist and member of the section of the Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health dedicated to women’s mental health, and Cristina Mesquita de Oliveira, president of Vidas – Portuguese Menopause Association
In 2015, Canadian artist Rupi Kaur photographed moments of her sister for a university project about the stigma of menstruation. The image was removed several times from Instagram for allegedly violating regulations, without a clear explanation. Kaur accused the platform of censorship and wrote, “I will not apologize for not feeding the ego of a misogynistic society that accepts my body in underwear but is not comfortable with a little blood loss.”
Do taboos and misinformation about menstruation still persist? This is one of the topics covered in the most recent episode of the podcast “Que Voz é Essa?”, which explores the impact of important phases of a woman’s life cycle, such as menstruation and menopause, on mental health.
Cristina Mesquita de Oliveira, president of Vidas – Associação Portuguesa de Menopausa and author of the book “Descomplicar a Menopausa”, published in 2022.
Nuno Fox
Topics such as premenstrual syndrome and the impact on women’s well-being and mental health are also covered, in addition to the main difficulties faced in menopause and perimenopause. The lack of information about symptoms at these stages of life is one of the most serious problems, among other challenges.
Maria João Avelino, psychiatrist, clinical coordinator of the Mafra community team at ULS de Santa Maria, and member of the section of the Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health dedicated to women’s mental health.
Nuno Fox
The podcast guests, Maria João Avelino, psychiatrist and member of the section of the Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health dedicated to women’s mental health, and Cristina Mesquita de Oliveira, president of Vidas – Associação Portuguesa de Menopausa and author of the book “Making Menopause Uncomplicated” (2022), also discuss the recent interest of political parties in these topics, and other necessary measures.
