Women's perspectives toward menopause: A phenomenological study in Iran

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Sociology
• Psychology

Background:

• Menopause is a significant biological transition for women.
• Understanding women's attitudes and feelings is crucial for supportive care.
• Cultural context influences perceptions of menopause.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the attitudes and feelings of Azeri menopausal women towards menopause.
• To understand the lived experiences of menopause in a specific cultural context.

Main Methods:

• Hermeneutic phenomenology based on Van Manen's approach.
• Purposive sampling of 18 menopausal women in Tabriz, Iran.
• Semistructured interviews analyzed through verbatim transcription.

Main Results:

• Five themes emerged: positive, neutral, and negative attitudes; positive and negative feelings.
• Individual experiences and perceptions of menopause varied significantly.
• Acceptance of menopause as a natural process correlated with a neutral attitude.

Conclusions:

• Women's attitudes and feelings towards menopause are diverse.
• Promoting acceptance of menopause as a natural life stage can positively influence women's psychological well-being.
• Culturally sensitive approaches are needed to support menopausal women.