A Qualitative Study of Menopause Among Women With Disabilities

Abstract

Few studies have examined the way women with disabilities understand and make decisions regarding menopause. This report is a qualitative descriptive study detailing how women with varying mobility impairments view the menopausal transition. Nineteen women aged 42 to 64 years were interviewed regarding their menopausal experiences. Results described their experiences as minority groups of women with disabilities using a women's ways of knowing framework. Overall, most women described menopause as a back burner issue, but maintained the need for accurate information from which to make informed decisions that might impact future health and functional outcomes.

Menopause: a qualitative study of Jordanian women's perceptions

“…There is a need to educate women on ways to promote their health and well‐being and prevent future health concerns. According to Harrison & Becker (2007, p. 123), ‘It is crucial that the voices of all women be heard from their respective positions within society, not only heard but also included in the construction of current scientific knowledge that comprises our current understanding of menopause.’…”

The Ending of Menstruation: Perspectives and Experiences of Lesbian and Heterosexual Women

“…This growing literature includes themes such as women's understanding of their own bodies (Boughton, 2008;Dillaway, 2005aDillaway, , 2006aHarrison and Becker, 2007); encounters between menopausal women and biomedical professionals (Banister, 1999); women's perspectives on hormone therapy (Ballard, 2002;Stephens et al, 2002;Kolip et al, 2009); coping strategies and managing symptoms (Im et al, 2008;Lindh-Åstrand et al, 2007;Kafanelis et al, 2009); menopausal women's views on ageing (Banister, 1999;Dillaway, 2005b;Hvas, 2006); the impact of menopause on social roles (Dillaway, 2006b); and on sexuality (Winterich, 2003;Dillaway, 2005b). Much of this scholarship emerged from a feminist perspective with writers responding to (and usually resisting) the biomedical notion of menopause as a hormone deficiency disease leading to dwindling femininity, loss of womanhood, sexual redundancy, empty nest syndrome and clinical pathologies.…”

Health Disparities Among Latinas Aging With Disabilities

“…The need to consider how menopause and weight influence disablement was evident when the cadre of disabling conditions that increases in incidence as women age past menopause and undergo weight-specific changes24 was examined. For instance, impairments causing immobility may heighten the risk for venous thrombo-embolism,25 cardiovascular disease,26 and osteoporosis27; all of which cause additional functional limitation.…”

“…After menopause, women may have a decrease in overall muscle mass and increased adipose tissue. For women with long-standing functional limitations, an increase in adipose tissue with decreasing muscle alters the ability to stay nimble and transfer without aid, which can decrease their activity level adding to weight gain and diminished socialization 24. They may also be at risk for injury as transfers grow to be more involved and complex.…”