In the Limbo of Fear and Hope": How Iranian Women Perceive Menopause? An Exploratory Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background and purpose: Perceptions and experiences of women about menopause are remarkably influenced by sociocultural context. Awareness of this issue could help health system policy makers to develop appropriate care plans for menopausal women in transition. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of Iranian women about menopause. Materials and methods: This exploratory qualitative study was conducted on 27 women aged 42-55 years old in Gonabad and Mashhad, Iran, between May 2014 and July 2016. Semi -structured in-depth interviews were conducted until data saturation was achieved. Conventional content analysis was done using the method proposed by Graneheim & Lundman (2004) in MAXQDA 2007. Results: Findings showed an overarching theme entitled “In the limbo of fear and hope" consisting of three categories and 15 sub-categories. The categories included: 1) feeling of freedom due to cessation of menstruation, 2) concerns associated with occurrence of menopause, and 3) divergent interpretations of menopause. Conclusion: The main theme in this study was “In the limbo of fear and hope” which showed that the perceptions of women about menopause vary in a wide continuum of worry and peace. It is believed that changes in social beliefs toward menopause can reduce concerns and fears of women in menopausal transition.

Keywords

• menopause
• perceptions
• exploratory qualitative study
• content analysis