Perceptions and feelings about physical changes in climacteric women

Area of Science:

• Women's Health
• Reproductive Health
• Menopause Studies

Background:

• The climacteric and menopause significantly impact women's physical and emotional well-being.
• Understanding women's perceptions of these changes is crucial for effective healthcare.
• Limited public knowledge often surrounds the differences between climacteric and menopause.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perceptions and feelings of women regarding physical changes during the climacteric.
• To identify knowledge gaps concerning climacteric and menopause among women in Rio Grande do Sul.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study.
• Semi-structured interviews conducted with 16 women in public spaces in Porto Alegre/RS/Brazil.
• Thematic analysis of interview data collected in September-October 2018.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: knowledge of climacteric/menopause, perceived physical changes, felt emotional changes, and coping strategies.
• Participants demonstrated varying levels of understanding regarding climacteric and menopause.
• Commonly perceived and felt changes were identified, along with individual coping mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Women generally possess limited information about the climacteric and menopause.
• Nurses have a vital role in educating women about these phases.
• Healthcare providers should offer emotional support and recommend physical activities to alleviate symptoms.