The End of Femininity? Rebirth? A Qualitative Study of Menopause Myths

Gizem Çıtak; Tuğçe Görücü

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1807972

The End of Femininity? Rebirth? A Qualitative Study of Menopause Myths

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore how menopause is perceived through societal myths, Method: A qualitative approach was employed, using semi-structured interviews. Seventeen women aged 45–65 who were in the menopausal process participated. Questions focused on the changes menopause brought to their lives, the influence of societal beliefs, personal experiences during menopause, and how they defined menopause. Data were analyzed thematically. Findings: The mean age of the participants was 55.65 ± 6.14 years, the mean age at menopause was 49.29 ± 4.83 years, and the mean number of births was 2.94 ± 1.43. Six main themes emerged from the analysis: “Psychological and Emotional Processes,” “Womanhood and Identity,” “Social Myths and Perceptions,” “Positive Experiences,” “Physiological Processes,” and “Transformation of Sexuality.” Additionally, six sub-themes were identified. Psychological and Emotional Processes captured emotional fluctuations and challenges experienced by women. Womanhood and Identity reflected changes in self-perception, acceptance, and coping with social labeling. Social Myths and Perceptions emphasized the influence of negative societal myths about menopause. Positive Experiences showed that menopause could be experienced as a period of freedom, relief, and personal growth. Physiological Processes highlighted hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and other bodily changes. Finally, Transformation of Sexuality illustrated shifts in women’s sexual perspectives and intimacy dynamics. Conclusion: Menopause is not only a physiological transition but also a multidimensional experience impacting women’s social roles, psychological well-being, and sexual perceptions, influenced significantly by societal myths and personal coping strategies.

Keywords

References

1. Polat, F., & Karasu, T. Menopause from the perspective of women in the menopausal period: A qualitative study. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 2021;15:4: 809–817.
2. Gönenç, İ. M., & Koç, G. The effect of an education program on women’s attitudes towards menopause. [Master’s thesis]. 2019
3. World Health Organization. (2024, October 16). Menopause. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/ detail/menopause Accessed: 26.08.2025
4. TNSA Turkey Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies, Ministry of Development and TÜBİTAK, Ankara, Turkey. http://www.hips.hacettepe.edu.tr/ tnsa2018/rapor/TNSA2018_ana_Rapor.pdf Accessed: 26.08.2025
5. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The Menopause Years. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/The- Menopause-Years Accessed: 26.08.2025
6. Darici Koçan, M. K., & Cangöl, E. Symptoms experienced by women in the menopausal period and their coping methods. STED, 2023;32:3: 156–168.
7. Gatenby, C., & Simpson, P. Menopause: Physiology, definitions, and symptoms. Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2024;38:1: 101855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. beem.2023.101855
8. Erol, F., & Beydağ, K. D. Menopause myths: A scale development study. Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry & Psychology, 2025;7:2: 141–150.

9. Turkish Language Association (Türk Dil Kurumu). (n.d.). Contemporary Turkish Dictionary. https://sozluk.gov.tr/ Accessed: 27.08.2025
10. Keteci, E. (2020). The effect of sexual myths on anxiety level and self-esteem among university students. [Master’s thesis]. Üsküdar University, Institute of Social Sciences, İstanbul.
11. Erol, F. Menopause myths: A scale development study. [Master’s thesis]. İstanbul Gedik University, Graduate Education Institute.2024.
12. Polat, F., & Geçici, F. Menopause from the perspective of women in the menopausal period: A qualitative study. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 2021;15:4: 809–817.
13. Vaccaro, C. M., Capozz, A., Ettore, G., Bernorio, R., Cagnacci, A., Gambacciani, M., & Lello, S. What women think about menopause: An Italian survey. Maturitas, 2021;147: 47–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. maturitas
14. Eskiocak, Y. Evaluation of knowledge level and healthy lifestyle behaviors regarding menopause among women aged 25–45 years who have not yet entered menopause. [Specialization thesis]. Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Medicine, Hatay.2021.
15. Kömürcü, N., & Korkmaz Yıldız, N. Sexual life in menopause. Andrology Bulletin, 2006;25: 173–176.
16. Tezce, M. A., & Beydağ, K. D. Women’s perspective on menopause and sexual life quality. Journal of Health and Society, 2021;31:1: 175–186.
17. Kabir, M. R., & Chan, K. Menopausal experiences of women of Chinese ethnicity: A meta-ethnography. PLoS One, 2023;18:9, e0289322. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289322
18. Vural, P. I., & Balci Yangin, H. Perception of menopause: Comparison of Turkish and German women. Gümüşhane University Journal of Health Sciences, 2016;5:3: 7–15.
19. Khademi, S., & Cooke, M. S. Comparing the attitudes of urban and rural Iranian women toward menopause. Maturitas, 2003;46: 113–121.
20. Adewuyi, T. D. O., & Akinade, E. A. Perception and attitudes of Nigerian women towards menopause. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2010;5: 1777–1782.
21. Özdemir, A. A., & Kavak Budak, F. The relationship between psychological well-being and perceived social support in women during menopause. Journal of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatal Medicine, 2021;18:2: 787–791.
22. Kyngäs, H., Mikkonen, K., & Kääriäinen, M. The application of content analysis in nursing science research. Springer Nature.2019
23. Refaei, M., Mardanpour, S., Masoumi, S. Z., & Parsa, P. Women’s experiences in the transition to menopause: A qualitative research. BMC Women’s Health, 2022;22:1: 53. https://doi.org/10.1186/ s12905-022-01633-0
24. Lee, P. S., & Lee, C. L. Prevalence of symptoms and associated factors across menopause status in Taiwanese women. Menopause, 2020;28:2: 182–188. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000001662
25. Tasnim, S., Haque, M. A., & Nazmeen, S. Experience of menopause and menopausal transition among middle-aged women attending a periurban hospital. Bangladesh Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2016;31: 10–15.
26. Kurt, G., & Aslan, H. Health problems experienced by women during menopause and their coping methods. Çukurova Medical Journal, 2021;45:3: 910–920.
27. Chalise, G. D., Shrestha, S., Thapa, S., Bharati, M., Pradhan, S., & Adhikari, B. Health problems experienced by peri-menopausal women and their perception towards menopause. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, 2022;20:1: 102–107. https://doi.org/10.33314/ jnhrc.v20i01.3891
28. Yıldırım, F. The effect of menopause on marital and sexual adjustment of spouses. [Master’s thesis]. Hitit University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Çorum, Turkey.2019.
29. Yaşar, Ö., & Yeyğel, Ç. Examination of menopause symptoms, menopausal attitude, and life satisfaction among women aged 45–60 years. IGUSABDER, 2023;21: 1097–1111.
30. Karacan, E., & Geçti, T. The relationship between menopausal complaints, attitudes, and quality of life among women in the menopausal period: A descriptive and correlational study. Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Nursing Sciences, 2025;17:2: 466–476. https://doi. org/10.5336/nurses.2020-105384

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Services and Systems (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Gizem Çıtak ^*
0000-0002-5484-2233
Türkiye

Tuğçe Görücü
0009-0009-3563-041X
Türkiye

Publication Date

January 16, 2026

Submission Date

October 21, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 17, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: January, February, March 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1807972

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA86JM94TW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Çıtak G, Görücü T (January 1, 2026) The End of Femininity? Rebirth? A Qualitative Study of Menopause Myths. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 January, February, March 2026