How Are You Feeling? A Little Bit Grey: Menopause Does Not Arrive on a Glittering Disco Ball

Elaine Williams*, Kimberley Hill, Jacquie Ridge, Lesley-Ann Smith

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to ConferencePosterpeer-review

Abstract

Me: How are you feeling?
You: A little bit grey
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Menopause does not arrive nor leave on a glittering disco ball in the manner of Madonna (2020). It is not something we are attuned to look forward to, rather, we are orientated to fear or at least feel apprehensive about this period of life. We are about to decline, to fail, to cease, be absent in our lives, or so some discourse may tell us.

The focus of this auto ethnographical research is to explore experiences of peri menopausal women, through listening to their voices and their narratives using an interview approach.

The women choosing to participate in this study, will have had treatment with Botox facial injections and will also have experienced mood changes during this time; including feeling low, anxious and reduced confidence. This is compounded by 'brain fog' and losing one's ability to find the right words.

Perceptions of ageing is explored, and preliminary data suggests that women feel invisible, ignored and a little bit grey
This image comes from a moment when I was trying to record a video to recruit participants for my research...I lacked confidence which resulted in many videos being taken, then I would lose my thread, my words, my voice and ultimately, I did not use any of the videos, deciding to stay grey.

Reference

Madonna. (2020, October 19). Madonna - Hung Up (Live at the 2005 MTV EMAs) [Video].   
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjBw6QaiwoM



Elaine Williams PhD student
[email protected]

Supervisors
Dr Kimberley Hill
[email protected]

Dr Lesley-Ann Smith
[email protected]

Dr Jacqueline Ridge
[email protected]

Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 25 Jun 2024
EventThe University of Northampton's Images of Research Conference 2023-2024 - The University of Northampton
Duration: 28 Jun 2024 → …

Conference

ConferenceThe University of Northampton's Images of Research Conference 2023-2024
Period28/06/24 → …

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