Of course, it's still society's fault, but...

I don't agree with her on post natal depression.
I got a sister who dont work and has had the problem after all of her babies were born. That would be seven births.

My wife did also after both.
It's like she just went crazy within 3 years after the birth.
I tell you it was hell and then she just snapped out of it.

The author is trying to remove the biological deterministic issue that has plagued Femitwats since they first slithered out of their slimy dwellings to ooze puss and disease on the whole of huMANity!.

Feministas just hate that fact that their biology screws with them so much. Believe me, I've been around plenty of hormonally challenged women to be able to detect faking versus genuine suffering.

I had to warn one menopausal employee to do what she needed to do to remain capable of doing her job. Her mood swings were not my problem, not acceptable and I would not tolerate them. Bottom line? She went to her doctor and had her hormone pills upped. Did the bloody trick, too!

Feminists would like us to believe that this hormone stuff is just patriarchal shit foisted onto the poor wimmins. Truth is, females are bound by their biology to a greater degree then men due solely to the fact that our hormone balance remains rather stable day to day and week to week. Not the distaff, and not by a long shot!

I think we can agree that it certainly doesn't help to have aunt flow visiting in addition to the stress of day to day life. (Let's face it: Women do have stress to deal with, everyone does right?) and from what I understand from my girlfriend's.. 'descriptions'... it can be very painful.

What I'm saying is: Of course a good chunk of women will exxagerate their condition and use it as an excuse (What's the old saying about childbirth? Whatever the woman says minus 10 hours?) but I wouldn't go as afar as to say it doesn't exist at all.

I can say I'd be a little short with people too if my genitals were bleeding.

Good point AnderX, about the change according to if your genitals were bleeding. But, if it were normal and natural?
Sperm shoots at upto 60 miles per hour, so can we batter a woman in the face as we ejaculate and claim in the courts "Well how would you women feel having hot liquids shooting at high velocity through your uretha?"
We both know it wouldn't wash... pun intended.

Some women have severe mood symptoms and/or pain associated with their cycles, while others have little or none. Stress will certainly aggravate these problems, but I think the professor is doing women a huge disservice by denying the hormonal component of their suffering.

I'd tend to agree, myce, but there is no denying that many women can and DO use it purely as an excuse for ill-manner behaviour. Many see it as a get-out-of-jail card. Why take responsibility when you can simply blame hormones?
There's a lot of research that more recently has suggested men go through various hormonal changes too, but do you think we fellas will be able to use it in court to excuse a pub-brawl, or knocking our wife's teech through the back of her neck, or - as some instances for women - to defend against the charge of spousal murder? Not a chance...

Bullshit.

The severity varies, from not at all to very severe, but pms, ppd, and menopausal symptoms exist, folks. I promise.

Sometimes it feels like I'm not even in my own body - like I'm standing on the outside listening to this crazy person go nuts. It's scary. And I've only had a couple of hot flashes at this point (hey, I'm only 40), but imagine being perfectly fine, and then all of a sudden the temperature jumps to about 120 degrees. Just like snapping your fingers. It's very disorienting, and you literally think you're going to pass out.

Not to say it's ok to use it as an excuse for bad behavior, but fellas, if your woman is experiencing symptoms, and believe me, you'll know, just leave her the hell alone. She'll appreciate it, and you'll keep all your arms and legs.

Oh, and I don't know about the childbirth stories, but I can confirm it's always 10 degrees hotter for pregnant women. Not that it isn't worth every bit of it.

The issue of personal responsibility and hormones or mental problems is a tricky one. There are various ailments which can affect a person's ability to use sound judgement and control their behavior. There can be mild mood fluctuations due to hormones, to mood disorders that restrict a person's ability to live their life to the fullest, to Alzheimer's or schizophrenia in which the person is completely incompetent to care for themselves. Hormone symptoms are usually mild or moderate but in rare cases can cause severe, life-threatening depression or psychosis. The post-natal time seems to be when women are most vulnerable, so it is good for post-natal women to be monitored for signs of depression or worse. It could save lives.

I could liken a mental/emotional/hormonal problem to a physical injury of the legs. With a mild injury the person's movement is impaired but they can still walk. With a more severe injury they can only walk on crutches. With the worst injury they cannot move at all. With mental ailments it is the same, it requires more effort than normal to control one's own mind. It is hard work to be nice when you feel like ripping someone's head off. Minor, everyday stress can become too burdensome and the vulnerable person loses control and snaps at people or cries or whatever.

The degree of personal responsibility is related to the degree to which the person can control themselves or at least ask for help if they cannot. The problem is that other people cannot see the degree of the mental "handicap" like you can see a physical handicap. It's hard to judge. So one person may milk a mild discomfort for all its worth, while another is really suffering but trying her best not to bother people. With hormones they have a way of sneaking up on you too. You may not be aware of their influence until you realize you've flown off the handle and then you're apologizing for being an ass.

The other University of Sydney gave an honorary doctorate to Germaine Greer. I'm not surprised the professor is taking blame away from hormones and placing it at the feet of society (that is men).

You'll keep all your arms and legs ? what does that mean ?