title: A Turkish study on menarche and menstrual experiences and their effects on attitudes towards menopause.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate women's menarche and menstrual experiences and their effects on attitudes towards menopause. This research was planned as cross-sectional. A total of 300 women who had applied for a physical examination at the Maternity and Gynecology and Children's Hospital of Ordu province of Turkey were recruited for the study using the convenience sampling method. The study was conducted between 16 April and 28 May 2008. The research data were gathered using the Menopause Attitude Scale and a questionnaire. The average score for women on the Menopause Attitude Scale was 37.85 ± 10.34. Significant differences were found between attitudes of women towards menopause and the information they had received before menarche about menstruation (P = 0.024), the meaning of menstruation (P = 0.014), the interval time between menstrual periods (P = 0.017), problems experienced before menstruation (P = 0.035) and the desire of some women to continue menstruating and delay menopause (P = 0.005). Results of this study showed that more than half of the women had negative attitudes towards menopause. In order to help girls and women develop positive attitudes about menarche, menstruation and menopause, they need to have access to information during all phases of these important physical changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, School of Health, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey. nilufererbil@mynet.com
authors.forename: Nülüfer
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Erbil
authors.forename: Serap
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boyacı
authors.forename: Ipek
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kurt
authors.forename: Yasemin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akdoğan
authors.forename: Ilknur
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kaya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008572:Menarche / Q000523:psychology*; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D008598:Menstruation / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult