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Old 06-26-2019, 04:21 AM
 
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I mean, I get biologically why they do, but in the animal kingdom, the concept of Menopause is only known in humans, short-finned pilot whales, and killer whales. So really, Menopause is extremely rare among species, why do you think evolution has dictated human women (and the aforementioned) go through it?
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Old 06-26-2019, 07:12 AM
 
Location: In the outlet by the lightswitch
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I remember years ago, learning in a college human anthropology class, that one of the theories of why people live beyond child bearing years (especially women) is because it was an advantage to the survival of children in the groups who had grandparents to help take care of and raise children. Longevity was selected for in this regard.

As for menopause itself, l childbirth takes on the human body would mean a shorter live for women in the ancient past. Women who stopped being able to have children at the point probably lived longer and could be grandmothers more readily than women who didn't go though menopause.
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Old 06-26-2019, 07:56 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TMBGBlueCanary View Post
As for menopause itself, l childbirth takes on the human body would mean a shorter life for women in the ancient past. Women who stopped being able to have children at the point probably lived longer and could be grandmothers more readily than women who didn't go through menopause.
I agree- a woman who was still fertile near the end of a "normal" life span back then was very likely to die in childbirth or soon after, especially if she'd had multiple pregnancies over the years.

The writer Ellen Goodman once wrote a great column about what a blessing it was for women that at some point their bodies made reproduction impossible. Having chased my two little granddaughters around on occasion (I'm 66 and consider myself to be in great shape but hey, I'm 66!), I think that's a great point.
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Old 06-26-2019, 07:57 AM
 
Location: middle tennessee
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what is the "concept of menopause"? Hens quit laying after a few years.
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Old 06-26-2019, 08:38 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TMBGBlueCanary View Post
I remember years ago, learning in a college human anthropology class, that one of the theories of why people live beyond child bearing years (especially women) is because it was an advantage to the survival of children in the groups who had grandparents to help take care of and raise children. Longevity was selected for in this regard.

As for menopause itself, l childbirth takes on the human body would mean a shorter live for women in the ancient past. Women who stopped being able to have children at the point probably lived longer and could be grandmothers more readily than women who didn't go though menopause.
This is what I think as well.

I think men can continue to be fertile into old age because they are pretty strong genetically if they can do the deed at that age, and compete with younger stronger men to get fertile women. But because we have Viagra and rich old men, we interfered with that natural process. Same with infertile and older women using IVF.

Certainly I would think grandmas and grandpas as Elders were important to a social group and raising kids, at least at one time.
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Old 06-26-2019, 10:16 AM
 
Location: Maine
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As we age our memory isn't as good as it used to be. We'd put the baby down and forget where it was until it cried. And that's why we go through menopause.
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Old 06-26-2019, 10:59 AM
 
Location: King County, WA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Azureth View Post
I mean, I get biologically why they do, but in the animal kingdom, the concept of Menopause is only known in humans, short-finned pilot whales, and killer whales. So really, Menopause is extremely rare among species, why do you think evolution has dictated human women (and the aforementioned) go through it?
Compared to other animals, human infants require much longer upkeep to raise to maturity. With menopause, the mother is able to invest her time and resources raising a child without having to care for less mature offspring. The same applies to her mate, I would think, so the male can also apply his efforts to aiding his growing children.
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Old 06-26-2019, 01:25 PM
 
Location: on the wind
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Azureth View Post
I mean, I get biologically why they do, but in the animal kingdom, the concept of Menopause is only known in humans, short-finned pilot whales, and killer whales. So really, Menopause is extremely rare among species, why do you think evolution has dictated human women (and the aforementioned) go through it?
Um, apparently the jury is still out about this. See link below. There is evidence that an equivalent condition occurs in other non-human primates. The other mammals you listed obviously aren't primates so they may not be comparable for many reasons. Part of the problem is how "menopause" is defined and what the actual physiological process is that creates the effects. If someone only evaluates this condition based on human terms, then sure, they could claim that it does not exist in non-human mammals.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2553520/

Last edited by Parnassia; 06-26-2019 at 01:44 PM..
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Old 06-26-2019, 01:54 PM
 
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Default Why

Quote:
Originally Posted by Azureth View Post
I mean, I get biologically why they do, but in the animal kingdom, the concept of Menopause is only known in humans, short-finned pilot whales, and killer whales. So really, Menopause is extremely rare among species, why do you think evolution has dictated human women (and the aforementioned) go through it?

My opinion is, it's quite simple. Diet is the answer, and since ACV with added water can help with that it's not magic, just weird for many who rely on their doctor, who has no remedy even tho one exists AND was a favorite "cure-all of Hippocrates" I wonder how is it a favorite of the father of medicine but the docs are clueless ?

You'll have to answer that, not me.

AVC=apple-cider-vinegar, and don't forget the water !


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Old 06-26-2019, 01:56 PM
 
8,085 posts, read 5,203,974 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kennywally51 View Post
My opinion is, it's quite simple. Diet is the answer, and since ACV with added water can help with that it's not magic, just weird for many who rely on their doctor, who has no remedy even tho one exists AND was a favorite "cure-all of Hippocrates" I wonder how is it a favorite of the father of medicine but the docs are clueless ?

You'll have to answer that, not me.

AVC=apple-cider-vinegar, and don't forget the water !


Wait. What?????
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