| Summary: | 碩士 === 輔英科技大學 === 護理系碩士班 === 107 === Menopause is a natural part of a woman's life cycle but menopause can cause many changes in the female body. After menopause, the risks of women getting some diseases may increase. All women experience menopause differently, with changes that each person sees, different from what others have. This study is an exploration of women’s life experiences during menopausal transition.
A qualitative enquiry was undertaken, using the grounded theory approach to underpin sampling, data collection and analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 women and analyzed following constructivist grounded theory methods. All participants gave consent prior to data collection.
Three themes and core categories in each theory emerged from the data:
1. Challenges in the Normal Life: (1) Physical manifestations of menopause, (2) Unstable time of life and (3) Difficulty in the sexual life; 2. Psychosocial Impacts: (1) Emotional Changes, (2) Changing perception of others, and (3) Beliefs and religion; 3. Release the Discomfort: (1) Seeking useful information, (2) Strategies to cope with menopausal challenges and consequence, and (3) Try to Keep Balance.
This study can be developed with further research related to lesbian women, participants who currently do not have a long-term relationship, women who experience early menopause or menopause after cancer treatment. Further research also has the ability to investigate health professionals' perceptions and thoughts about education, empowerment and self-care management.
Health care providers should consider changes in women’s attitudes toward menopause in their health care practices by increasing numbers of women’s health groups, projects, health centers and clinics, and providing education and contributed to change health policy legislation to improve the quality of women’s health care.
Keywords: Menopause, menopausal transition, life experiences, coping mechanisms, grounded theory
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