Abstract
Historically, the end of women’ fertile years is intrinsically associated with their reproductive capacity, marking the beginning of their aging process. In our society, the climacteric (transition period between fertility and menopause, consisting of the last menstruation) is perceived as a medical question. Thus, this article aimed to discuss how hormones, considered as active products in human dynamics, act as subjectivation modes among women who undergo menopause in a society such as ours, which values youth and productivity. Inspired by Bruno Latour’s cartography of controversies, this research analyzed seven videos made available by the Bayer pharmaceutical company on YouTube, approaching “hormone replacement” for women either directly or indirectly. The results indicate that age-related hormonal changes are understood as an imbalance that triggers hot flashes, decreased libido, osteoporosis, heart diseases, and vaginal dryness. Such understanding drives the search for medical interventions aiming to regain the body balance lost with aging. Thus, doctors prescribe hormones under the guise of keeping women young and sexually attractive to their male partners, reiterating a logic of machismo and heteronormativity within our society.
Keywords:
Hormones; Menopause; Aging; Female