Women's lived experience of natural menopause

• Main Author: Paquette, Shirley Ellen, 1955-
• Other Authors: Memorial University of Newfoundland. School of Nursing.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 1996
• Subjects: Menopause > Newfoundland and Labrador; Menopause; Newfoundland; Canada; Newfoundland studies; University of Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses3/id/6542

Thesis (M.N.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1996. Nursing Bibliography: leaves 78-86 A phenomenological study was carried out to explore the meaning and significance of menopause for a group of postmenopausal women in Newfoundland. The purposes of this study were to make interpretive sense of the lived experience of menopause based on a group of women's descriptions; and to generate insights into the lived experience that will provide nurses and others who read the final text a richer and deeper understanding of the internal meaning these women attribute to the experience of menopause. -- Eight Newfoundland women who participated in this study experienced natural menopause. They were at least one year (postmenopause) after cessation of menses and were without hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or surgical removal of the uterus and/or the ovaries. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Thematic statements formulated from the analysis of the narratives were: Menopause is a normal change in a woman's life; the problem with hot flashes is their unpredictability; knowing what to expect about menopause can alleviate fear; the experience of menopause can be easy as well as bring a sense of relief; receiving support during menopause can make the experience less traumatic; the experience of menopause brings an increased consciousness of aging. 'Becoming who they are' was the essence of the lived experience. -- Recommendations for nursing included incorporating women's experiences and issues into programs and workshops, nursing education curriculum, and as a focus in nursing research.