The Hormone Medicated Self: Women’s Perceptions of Synthetic Hormones and Authenticity across the Life Course

Abstract

Although some people feel that medication reveals a more authentic version of themselves, others question whether medication alters their true personality and behavior. Interrogating these effects occurs at all ages, yet knowing and defining oneself also represents a milestone toward becoming an adult. How do individuals conceptualize the relationship between medication and authenticity at different life stages? I examine perceptions of hormonal contraception and menopausal hormone therapies to answer this question. In interviews with 60 cisgender women across the United States, I find that younger women conceptualized hormonal contraception in emerging adulthood as a threat to knowing and being their authentic self. Meanwhile, women in midlife largely understood hormones used during perimenopause and menopause to recover authenticity. I argue that life stage interacts with how women perceive the effects of synthetic hormones. These findings emphasize the importance of the pursuit of authenticity for patterns of medication use more broadly.