Aes Sedai and Menopause

[Iris 0]

Another question! (I do have a literary reason for asking) If touching the Power keeps Aes Sedai "young" how does that affect their ability to bear children? Do they ever go through menopause? Are they like 300 when they do? Or does it still happen at like a normal age of 50?

[Marie 73]

They just age slower, so it would happen later depending on the woman (some women go through it later/ealier than others). They start graying around ~150.

 

It'll be easier to explain once you read further into the books.

[Kaitlin 22]

I don't think RJ thought of the limited number of eggs women have.

 

Somewhere in the books I think a menstrual cycle is referred to as a monthly. Don't quote me on that though. Olivia usually knows Aes Sedai facts! Maybe she remembers?

 

There's no mention of AS calling it something like a quarterly or a yearly. To have it make sense in their world I guess AS have a greater number of eggs, or their menses is triggered with no egg release, or maybe if the hormones don't stop being produced in the ovaries it just naturally goes on anyway, but I think it's more of just RJ not thinking that through.

[Olivia 26]

Hmmm, I remember Elayne referring to her "courses". But, she was remarking how the bond had made it so that her courses had shifted to match Birgitte's (IIRC) ... so I would assume Aes Sedai still get monthly periods like other women. You're right, Kaitlin, I don't think RJ thought it all the way through (or maybe figured it just didn't matter).

 

Spoiler for book 6:

Once stilling has been Healed and it resets Siuan and Leane back to optimal childbearing age, maybe it resets their egg count too somehow?

 

[Kaitlin 22]

Spoilers up to ... uh most recent book because I forget stuff.

That's interesting to think about. Mass dying off of extra eggs. Or does a stilled woman not ever reach Menopause? I wonder what happened when it was healed.

[Marie 73]

The BWB stated something about how they had invented really good BC due to the long reproduction life of channelers.

 

 

I wonder if the oath rod causes fertility issues?

 

[Kaitlin 22]

Yeah they do have really good BC there. I bet it was all the Cairhienin Aes Sedai's fault.

 

 

It shortens life but would it shorten reproductive capabilities? Cadsuane might still be fertile.

 

[Olivia 26]

Cadsuane might still be fertile.

 

Gag me with a spoon.

[Kaitlin 22]

Why gag? I think potential Cadsuane spawn would be awesome.

[Marie 73]

As seen in catmwlt. *shameless plug*

[Kaitlin 22]

Maybe that is where I got the idea from. And sims.

 

They would be awesome though. She will have plenty of time

if she removes the Oaths!

 

[Ekho 52]

Dear lord, the thought of Cadsuane reproducing is just scary

[Sivart Reborn 7]

*reads topic, finds mention of Cadsuane spawn, dies*

[Asmodean82 0]

Another one bits the dust....

 

So sad, too bad, Bye Bye!