Women's experiences in the transition to menopause: a qualitative research

Abstract

Background Around the time of transition to menopausal period, women experience mental, and psychological disorders that require adequate attention to these symptoms. This study aimed to explore the experiences of women in the face of premenopausal symptoms. Methods This qualitative study was conducted using a content analysis method in Javanrood, Iran, in 2020. The data were collected through in-depth semi-structured face to face interviews with 16 premenopausal using interview guide in a private room in comprehensive health centers. The women inclusion criteria were approaching menopause, having irregular menstruation, and having no disease or medication that affects menstruation. Furthermore, the exclusion criteria were the absence of menstruation for more than 12 months, and the women's refusal to continue the interview. The participants were selected using purposive sampling and sampling continued until data saturation. The collected data were analyzed with MAXQDA10 software following the multi-step method proposed by Graneheim and Lundman. Results The participants' mean age was 47 ± 2.98 years. The data analysis revealed 5 categories including: "menopause and aging", "life transformation", confrontation of fear and hope", "life adjustment", and "need to facilitate the transition time". Conclusion This study suggested the women's experience of the transition to menopause was characterized by the fear of the future and its consequences and the need for reassurance about it. Besides, the women sought solutions to their problems in health care providers, peers, and the family.

‘It should be more outspoken and not hushed away, not like put in a dark box’: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of experiences of menopause voiced by women with learning disabilities

“…This study has contributed understanding into the importance of social connections among women with learning disabilities in menopause, particularly with those sharing similar experiences. Although this is already recognised within the neurotypical population (Refaei et al, 2022), in-depth consideration of the value of social connections in menopause is novel to literature pertaining to experiences of women with learning disabilities. For some, menopause represented improved ability and confidence to go out, engage in activity and socialise.…”

Postmenopausal Experiences and Constraints in Seeking Health Care in A Rural Area of West Bengal, India

“…6 These experiences of menopause are influenced by many factors like beliefs, values prevalent in the socio-cultural settings, the background characteristics of women and the ways in which the women adapt to the changes in this phase of life. 7 Previous studies 7,8 revealed post-menopausal women experienced physical and emotional changes, changes in marital and family relationships, and adopted different coping strategies to enhance their physical and emotional wellbeing, to meet their felt needs and support from family.…”

"They see me as mentally ill": the stigmatization experiences of Chinese menopausal women in the family

“…However, there are relatively few studies on the life experiences of menopausal women. Studies conducted in the Western Province of Sri Lanka [ 22 ], Iran [ 23 , 24 ], and Southeastern Louisiana [ 25 ] shed light on women’s understanding and experience of menopause and its impact on their lives. Some studies focused on the menopausal experience of women with diseases.…”