Women Relationship with their Bodies - Essay Example

Women's relationship with their bodies

The body is an outstanding individual and societal concern mostly in women. Several studies have proved that the majority in adults in western countries have negative co-relation with their bodies, an area to consider that begins at an early age in girls. Apart from various societal and ecological effects, there are also detrimental, physical, emotional and psychological implications such as prevalent body image. Women tend to spend a lot of time and economic resources, including massive mental and emotional energy to fit society. They do this because they feel inferior. On the contrary, those with positive body image tend to spend less (McGraw, 2012). Other than a baby growing space, the womb is considered to have a lot more to do in women. In the past, the organ was viewed as a consecrated spiritual center, a fountainhead of physical strength, feeling and emotional well-being. The womb is one of the most fundamental elements in a woman. It is a great place for excretion where life originates and nurtured.

Reproduction as a process is a complete state of physical, spiritual and mental well-being.

Women undergo a complete reproduction process, which entails; adolescence, sexual desire, pregnancy, menstruation, premenstrual syndromes and delivery. However, in some cases, some women are unable to experience a complete reproductive cycle. There may be cases of infertility, miscarriages and diseases that can alter the functionality of the reproductive system.

Firstly, the abrupt physical and mental changes experienced at the age of adolescence: Menstruation and premenstrual syndromes, broadening of hips and development of breasts leads to psychological effects. For example,

Secondly, women undergo depression during pregnancy. Research indicates that some symptoms of depression such as appetite change, reduced energy, sleep disturbance and low libido are regarded as usual in expectancy. Their psychological importance is hence underrated. Several psychological factors are linked with depression in pregnancy, such as undesirable conception, unmarried status, lack of employment and reduced income (Pajulo et al., 2001). It is believed that anxiety during pregnancy is dangerous to the unborn and leads to an uncertain outcome.

Considerably, as life expectancy rises, more women are hitting the age of menopause and beyond. Psychological changes, hormonal and simultaneous physical changes are characteristics of menopause. At this stage, chronic diseases and physical health status related to aging may start increasing. Hormonally, the woman's reproductive ability starts to reduce gradually. Vagina desiccation, sleep problems and hot blushes are some of the symptoms of menopause. Several studies have used a different model to examine why some women go through depression in the course of the transition of menopause (Woods & Mitchell, 1997).

Incongruent to menopause, infertility also has psychological problems observable in women. For instance, intense psychological reaction or psychiatric illness reaction to unexpected personal circumstances. According to Kerr, Brown and Balen (1999), above 20% of women experienced periodic suicidal ideation. Infertility is considered distinctively traumatic because it can last for ages, and the solution may not be found.

Spirituality is viewed as an essential tool for providing complete personal responsibility. Healing rituals and culture-oriented religions have expertly played a significant role. Sexual life of women and reproductive health is considered broadly. Health professionals and society have enormously under-recognized these involvements and conditions. Women find their complications "normal" due to their low status resulting from a lack of knowledge. Mental health complications and illustration of emotional agony attached to stigma can lead them to accept as part of being female and phobia of being considered abnormal if they fail to perform. The according to World Health Report (WHO), Make Every Mother and Child Count (WHO, 2005) identified the significance of maternal, baby and child mental well-being concerning maternal depression and suicide. The report suggested the necessity of supporting and equipping health workers in the treatment of mothers with psychological complications.

Women view their reproductive system as an excretory organ. Millions of women suffer from pregnancy health-related problems and dysfunctions, such as fistulae (hole in the vagina where leakages flow through from the rectum), anemia, uterine prolapse, infertility and pelvic inflammatory diseases (Family Care International, 1998).

Our hearts are vital organs in our bodies. Similarly, the womb and its health are of great importance. However, the current society has abandoned and humiliated the most significant arsenal. The uterus is the granary of all our feelings, history and magic. It is, therefore, recommendable to honor it. The most common surgery performed in the society is Hysterectomy and Cesarean birth, which is the process of removing a baby through cutting the uterus. What is the effect on the mentality and health of Cutting of the woman's blessed part, knowing that it bears emotion and well-being? This deeply perturbs. In reference to the Cesarean birth, there is a need to restore love and light.

Females are privileged beings. They have the capability of making life, which is the decision bestowed on them. Furthermore, they sustain and rejuvenate life as their organs are designed to provide food for the fetus. They have sensational complex and magical wombs. Unfortunately, they are wistfully misunderstood. Women's bodies have unbelievable organ filled with creativity and sexual power held within them. Even though society has neglected and failed to honor the womb, women should feel encouraged by their amazing capabilities and the womb's puzzles. It is essential to mention that some women are contented and have cavernous pleasure from their organs, which is the power of a woman. It is worth raising awareness about the power, motive, and perspective of the woman and her womb to focus more strength on the health, protection, and importance of the female reproductive organ.

Psychological and spiritual health are becoming more increasingly and clearly linked, they influence each other in a complex and powerful way. This helps to break down understanding in some long barriers in new hope of care and cure and beginning to offer good health. This perspective has sort to improve understanding of interaction between psychological health and reproductive health, especially relationship between women's well-being and lives. Although psychological and spiritual effects of reproductive system in women are closely linked to their reproductive health and are widely recognized, in a number of countries, it is a marginal concern. Nevertheless, infertility, menopause, psychological issues related to sexuality, adverse maternal outcome such as abortion, premature pregnancy, sterilization, reproductive tract surgery and family planning are the areas to be considered in interaction of reproductive and mental health. These issues not only affect women's relationship but also their reproductive health.

Hawkins, R. (1993). An Analysis of Hypnotherapist-Client Sexual Intimacy. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 41(4), 272-286.

Leek, S. (2020). Step into the Spiritual Power of Your Womb. Retrieved 7 July 2020, from https://transformationgoddess.com/step-into-the-spiritual-power-of-your-womb/

Singh, N., Leung, J., & Singh, A. (2000). International Perspectives on Child & Adolescent Mental Health. Burlington: Elsevier.

Swami, V., Barron, D., Todd, J., Horne, G., & Furnham, A. (2020). Nature exposure and positive body image: (Re-)examining the mediating roles of connectedness to nature and trait mindfulness. Body Image, 34, 201-208.

WHO (2001) The World Health Report 2001. Mental health: new understanding, new hope. Geneva, World Health Organization.