title: Menopause: a qualitative study of Jordanian women's perceptions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to describe the perceptions of Jordanian midlife women about making the menopausal transition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Audio taped interviews were conducted with 25 peri-menopausal Jordanian women. Interviews were analysed as appropriate for descriptive qualitative inquiry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The major theme generated was 'A Life Transition', which included: a time of no more reproductive obligations, changing from the burdens and obligations of reproductive roles and responsibilities to freedom, relief and rest; a time for managing peri-menopausal symptoms; and a time for growing into a wise woman and accepting aging as a part of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data can assist healthcare providers to provide culturally competent health care to midlife Jordanian women. Support groups may be helpful to facilitate connections between midlife women, increase self-awareness, assist women to come to value their menopausal experiences, to manage their symptoms appropriately through self-care measures and healthcare interventions and to more fully embrace being 'wise women'.
authors.affiliation: Maternal Child Health Department, Faculty of Nursing, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Mahadeen
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Halabi
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Callister
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000208:ethnology / Q000502:physiology; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001828:Body Image; D054521:Cultural Competency; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam / Q000523:psychology*; D007597:Jordan; D008016:Life Change Events; D008593:Menopause / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*