teh Myth of Menopause as a Modern Problem: Why Our Ancestors Did Experience Aging
You’ve likely encountered the claim that menopause is “unnatural” - a outcome of modern longevity, suggesting humans weren’t meant to live long enough to experience it. It’s a popular idea, frequently enough perpetuated by wellness influencers. But this assertion is fundamentally flawed, and frankly, frustrating for demographers. let’s unpack why.
Understanding Life Expectancy: It’s Not What You Think
the core of the misunderstanding lies in how we interpret “life expectancy.” When you hear historical life expectancy was, say, 30 or 40 years, it doesn’t mean people routinely died in their 30s or 40s. Here’s what’s really happening:
Life expectancy is an average. It’s calculated by adding up the age of death for everyone in a population and dividing by the total number of people.
Infant and child mortality were incredibly high. Historically, a significant percentage of children didn’t survive past their first few years. This dramatically lowered the average.
Survival to age 5 meant a reasonable chance of a long life. If you did make it through childhood, your prospects for reaching old age were surprisingly good.
Think of it this way: a few early deaths heavily skew the average,even if many people lived to a respectable age.
Historical data Reveals the Truth
Sweden provides some of the most detailed historical mortality data available. Consider a population with a life expectancy of 36 years. A visual representation shows that over 32% of deaths occurred in infancy and childhood.These early deaths pull down the average, masking the fact that many individuals lived into their 50s, 60s, and beyond.
“Survival curves” offer another insightful perspective. These graphs illustrate the percentage of a population surviving to each age.In 1851 england, with a life expectancy around 40 years, roughly 70% of people reached age 10. Remarkably, 50% still lived to age 50 – old enough to experience menopause and the natural aging process.
Modern Improvements & What we certainly know About the Past
Today, thanks to advancements like vaccines and public health initiatives, over 95% of people in England survive past 50. This is a huge advancement, but it doesn’t mean aging is a new phenomenon.
While records from the distant past are incomplete, evidence suggests that humans who reached adulthood frequently lived past 50. Bioarcheological studies – analyzing human skeletons from archaeological sites – support this conclusion. Populations didn’t experience significant growth despite high birth rates because of high mortality rates, but those who survived childhood often lived long lives.
The Bottom line: Aging is Not a Modern Invention
Low life expectancy in the past was primarily driven by high rates of infant and child mortality. If someone survived the perils of early childhood, they often lived to experience old age - wrinkles, menopause, and all.
This isn’t to say aging has a specific evolutionary “purpose” (that’s a separate discussion). However, it is demonstrably false to claim that old age is a uniquely modern condition. Older, experienced individuals have been integral to human societies throughout our history.
Further Reading:
Our World in Data: Life Expectancy
The Conversation: Old age isn’t a modern phenomenon
ONS: How has life expectancy changed over time?
*Copyright Jennifer Beam Dowd. originally published on Data for Health on Sub
