My current project “Regeneration” focuses on the topic of menopause, a natural stage in a woman‘s life where her body gradually reduces the production of specific hormones, leading to a range of physical and emotional transformations. However, social norms often prevent open discussions about this topic.
Menopause in Japanese is „Konenki“.
Ko means „regeneration“ or „renewal“
Nen refers to „several years“
Ki describes „season“ or „energy“
Therefore, menopause is a time of renewal in the middle of life.
The motivation and purpose of my project are to break the silence surrounding this phase of life at all levels of society. As I am currently going through menopause myself, I am confronted with many fears and a lack of understanding about what is happening to my body.
This is why I started the project „Regeneration“ to show the inner fear of women when they reach menopause and go through it. This entire journey that a woman undergoes during menopause is a complete renewal of her body and mind. Women have to fight through this regeneration and overcome various challenges. It is like a rebirth; sometimes, one has to endure physical and mental pain. You learn to be a new you. Everything changes in this new world, and you find yourself asking: Who am I anyway?
My project is my personal path, each photo is some kind of passage of my experience. Through this project, I was reborn. When I started, I thought that menopause meant women were like a dry rose. I started shooting it with such thoughts. That a woman’s beautiful life ends.
And with my project, I came to the conclusion that no – this is not a dry rose, life does not end, it is reborn and enters a new phase.
And I really want to convey this to all women who think the same way I used to think about menopause! Everything inside me is burning, as if I discovered a big secret and I definitely want to share this secret! I have read a lot on this topic, talked to a lot of women, done surveys! This project is a part of me! And I can’t leave it in a folder on my computer. I want to share it, it is very important to me.
I photographed myself. I photographed in Sicily on volcano Etna , in Portugal, Greece, in Japan, in France.
The first signals started for me around 45years old. When I was really overwhelmed and found myself in this horror, I started looking for information. How to live with this? We women are getting into a hellish circle!! The media space screams, hormones are dangerous for women, they cause cancer. People who heard something somewhere and are scared pick up this version and also, if they only hear the word hormones, they widen their eyes and say – “What?!! Not in any case!!”In medical reports and studies, it is also stated that during menopause, cancer rates increase and a bunch of other things.
Gynecologists are silent!
AND YOU THINK – HOW THE FUCK TO LIVE ON?!
And why this hell for women?!
Well, it’s time to talk about a very unpleasant point. Which no one wants to talk about. (I understand) Sometimes they even argued with me that this is related to childbirth and not menopause. But this is a big misunderstanding!
IF NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT, IT DOESN’T MEAN IT DOESN’T EXIST.” It’s time to say it out loud.
“…I think the biggest problem with incontinence is how shameful society views the condition. Many of my patients prefer to keep this wet little secret to themselves, probably assuming that nothing can be done about it. I believe that incontinence that comes with age is normal. However, there are remedies that can help!”
Dr.Sheila de Liz. – “Woman on Fire”
Husband and your menopause!
I think this is also one of the most important topics in Menopause!!
Imagine what happens to a woman during menopause! Mood swings, irritability, breakdowns, fatigue, forgetfulness, zero concentration, anxiety, anger at your partner and at the whole world. In general, a complete “depressive” state. And it’s not like you just fell into depression, no, you’re like on a swing, up down, up down. And we women ourselves don’t feel good about it! And on top of all this, a feeling of guilt appears.
Think about the fact that the majority of women themselves do not know and do not understand what is happening to them, they themselves do not understand how to live with it. Many simply try not to complain at all, not to talk about problems, this is like accepting their old age and helplessness. And your husband is also perplexed and constantly tells you – what’s wrong with you? – you are unrecognizable? – have you become completely different? – what kind of hysterics are you having? Relationships become critical.
When I still didn’t really know anything about menopause, it covered me. I remember how my husband said – you’ve changed a lot! You’ve become completely different, I don’t know you like this.
And you react and think – what the hell! No, it’s you who’s become different, you don’t want to understand me! …
When I began to understand about menopause, my husband and I, of course, began to talk about it a lot. I told him everything that I’m telling you here. He was really surprised and shocked by many things.
And all the same, it’s very difficult for men to understand all this. Even my husband, already knowing so much from me and going through this path together with him, where he supports me and tries to be patient in my critical moments (and he’s impulsive)
Men cannot get into your body, into your brain and feel everything that we experience.
We MUST talk to them!! You can find many articles on this topic on the Internet now. Let your partner read it. Explain your condition and that it has nothing to do with him. That this is a temporary process, a phase where you would like his support and patience. And not to heat up the passions even more! Make some kind of plan. How you will go through this phase together!
