title: Representations and perceived consequences of menopause by peri- and post-menopausal portuguese women: a qualitative research.
abstract: Our aim in conducting this study is to describe the representations and perceived consequences of menopause, elicited through a semistructured interview with 36 Portuguese women, in peri- and post-menopause. The most prevalent response of the interviewed women was to see menopause as a normal/neutral phase of their life cycle (28.3%). Menses' cessation (58.7%) was identified as the most prevalent positive consequence of menopause, and a range of psychological changes (18.3%) was the most mentioned negative consequence. Health care provider's awareness of women's attitudes will allow them to communicate more effectively and to reinforce women's positive attitudes.
authors.affiliation: Psychology and Health Research Unit, ISPA-Instituto Universitário, Lisboa, Portugal. filipa_pimenta@ispa.pt
authors.forename: Filipa
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pimenta
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maroco
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ramos
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health