UCL Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, Upper 3rd Floor, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
Department of Community Health Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
BMC Womens Health. 2024 Nov 25;24(1):624. doi: 10.1186/s12905-024-03456-7.
Menopause can be seen as a complex phenomenon influenced by an individual's cultural norms, belief systems, and lifestyle choices. In conservative societies such as Saudi Arabia, some women silently struggle with menopause due to cultural taboos and social stigma, making their experiences invisible and lowering their quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore in-depth the knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of middle-aged Saudi women with menopause.
The study employed qualitative methods using semi-structured interviews with middle-aged women undergoing menopause in Saudi Arabia from February to May 2023. The interviews were conducted online in Arabic, recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis.
A total of twenty-nine women, aged 40-64 years, were interviewed. Three key themes were identified: mixed emotions towards menopause; experiencing biopsychosocial changes; and adapting to the transition. Overall, most participants had mixed perspectives on menopause. Negative aspects included feelings of uncertainty and the loss of fertility while positive aspects included a sense of relief from menstruation and the newfound freedom to engage in religious activities at any time. Notably, during the interviews, many participants reconsidered their initial negative views and voiced predominantly positive perspectives. Several women reported inconvenient menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, disturbed sleep, and fatigue. Concerns about being perceived as less attractive led many to keep their symptoms private, and societal expectations played a significant role in influencing how women managed these symptoms and sought help. Many women opted to seek information discreetly online rather than seeking support from others. Self-care practices were favoured for managing menopause, with medical care being undervalued or at times deemed unsatisfactory.
In Saudi Arabia, menopause is generally seen as a natural phase of life. Many women appreciate the positive aspects it brings, such as relief from menstrual pain and an enhanced ability to participate in religious practices. However, they also encounter challenges, including hot flashes and concerns about perceived decreases in attractiveness. A notable trend is the preference for self-care strategies over medical interventions or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). There is a need to raise awareness about menopausal symptoms to reduce negative perceptions and experiences and to develop health promotion and educational interventions to support and empower women during this transition. Future research with healthcare professionals would extend these findings.
更年期可以被视为一种复杂的现象，受到个人的文化规范、信仰体系和生活方式选择的影响。在沙特阿拉伯等保守社会中，由于文化禁忌和社会耻辱感，一些女性默默地与更年期作斗争，使她们的经历变得不可见，降低了她们的生活质量。本研究的目的是深入探讨中年沙特女性对更年期的知识、态度和体验。
本研究采用定性方法，于 2023 年 2 月至 5 月在沙特阿拉伯对处于更年期的中年女性进行了半结构式访谈。访谈以阿拉伯语在线进行，录音并逐字记录。使用主题分析对数据进行了归纳分析。
共对 29 名年龄在 40-64 岁的女性进行了访谈。确定了三个关键主题：对更年期的复杂情绪；经历生物心理社会变化；以及适应过渡。总的来说，大多数参与者对更年期的看法喜忧参半。消极方面包括对不确定性和生育能力丧失的感觉，而积极方面包括从月经中解脱出来以及随时参加宗教活动的新自由。值得注意的是，在访谈过程中，许多参与者重新考虑了他们最初的负面观点，并表达了以积极观点为主的观点。一些女性报告了不适的更年期症状，如热潮红、盗汗、睡眠障碍和疲劳。对被认为不那么有吸引力的担忧导致许多人对自己的症状保密，社会期望在很大程度上影响了女性如何管理这些症状并寻求帮助。许多女性选择私下在网上获取信息，而不是寻求他人的支持。自我保健实践受到青睐，用于管理更年期，而医疗保健则被低估或有时被认为不满意。
在沙特阿拉伯，更年期通常被视为生命的自然阶段。许多女性欣赏它带来的积极方面，如月经疼痛的缓解和参加宗教活动的能力增强。然而，她们也面临挑战，包括热潮红和对感知到的吸引力下降的担忧。一个值得注意的趋势是，偏好自我保健策略而不是医疗干预或激素替代疗法（HRT）。需要提高对更年期症状的认识，以减少负面看法和体验，并制定健康促进和教育干预措施，在这一过渡期间为女性提供支持和赋权。与医疗保健专业人员合作的未来研究将扩展这些发现。
