An Australian study on the sociocultural context of menopause: directions for contemporary nursing practice

This research project by Berger (1997) investigates the physical, psychological, and sociocultural menopause experiences of a group of seventy women aged 45-70 years from Brisbane, Australia. Thus far the narrative provided for mid-life women shows a preoccupation with medical/biological perspectives that emphasize negative images of menopausal women as estrogen deficient and diseased. This new study is considered to be one of the few more recent attempts that investigates menopausal women within a sociocultural context and explores women's views about menopause as a normal, natural transition part of the ageing process. A qualitative approach (comprising focus groups and interviews) was aimed at women in mid-life who were willing to share their insights of this complex phase, to document individual variations and broad patterns. Findings provided enhanced understanding of many menopause aspects (such as appropriate treatment) that remain controversial. Content analysis uncovered three emerging themes: 1) contrary to popular beliefs menopause usually signified wellness; 2) apart from biological changes, the sociocultural context played a pivotal role in modifying menopause experiences; and 3) women did not feel adequately supported by health professionals. The findings signify that nurses are ideally placed to assist menopausal women in a variety of health care settings.