Send message to Author

Paper short abstract

This paper aims to focus on the social construction of women in post-reproductive ages, seeking to understand the use of HRT in India, which is polarised between debates of risks and regulation. This polarity compels women to negotiate between ‘ageing successfully’ and ‘ageing naturally'.

Paper long abstract

Post reproductive ageing is often marked by cessation of menstruation and onset of menopause. While this phase involves significant physical and psychological changes, it is rarely understood beyond the biological framework. As a result, older women are marginal to mainstream policy, research and public discourse. Inspired by the ideals of ‘successful ageing’, these bodily transitions are shaped by medical and anti-ageing narratives that frame ageing female bodies in need of ‘regulation’ and ‘optimisation’. In this context, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has become a key biomedical response which is at the intersection of therapeutic care and anti-ageing enhancements. Though globally recognised, HRT has been underutilised in India. Empirical research is scarce on women’s engagement with the healthcare system for HRT and how medical practitioners navigate through the social, cultural and medical contexts. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the use of HRT in India, focusing not only on women’s experiences but also on how healthcare providers navigate through the clinical, cultural and moral dynamics involved in it. Using a social constructionist approach, this is a work-in-progress paper from my doctoral thesis, aiming to contribute to the broader narrative around HRT, which is polarised in nature; both empowering as well as medicalised, reinforcing gendered and ageist ideals. Therefore, this polarity compels women to negotiate between ‘ageing successfully’ and ‘ageing naturally’. Based on in-depth interviews of doctors and patients from different cities in India, the study aims to contribute to the broader discourse of ageing, body modification and gender in contemporary India.