Perceptions, Beliefs, and Experiences about the Menstrual Cycle and Menstruation among Young Women: A Qualitative Approach
Metadatos
Mostrar el registro completo del ítemAutor
Botello Hermosa, Alicia; González Cano-Caballero, María; Guerra Martín, María Dolores; Navarro Pérez, Carmen Flores; Arnedillo Sánchez, SocorroEditorial
MDPI
Materia
Dysmenorrhea Health knowledge Attitudes
Fecha
2024-02-28Referencia bibliográfica
Botello-Hermosa, A.; González-Cano-Caballero, M.; Guerra-Martín, M.D.; Navarro-Pérez, C.F.; Arnedillo-Sánchez, S. Perceptions, Beliefs, and Experiences about the Menstrual Cycle and Menstruation among YoungWomen: A Qualitative Approach. Healthcare 2024, 12, 560. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12050560
Resumen
The experience of menstruation is often associated with negative connotations and gender
stereotypes, which results in making it invisible. This research aimed to explore the perceptions,
beliefs, and knowledge of young Spanish women regarding the menstrual cycle and menstruation
and their impact on their lives. The study delves into their understanding, menstrual management
practices, the types of menstrual products employed, and their experiences related to menstrual
health. Qualitative methodology was used with discussion groups as a data collection technique.
The participants comprised 45 young Spanish women, aged between 18 and 23, hailing from both
rural and urban areas. The majority were university students, with some engaged in part-time work,
and one participant working full-time. While many experienced menstrual pain ranging from mild
to debilitating, a normalization of this pain often led them to forego seeking specialist assistance.
Disposable menstrual products (DMPs) are the most used by participants, despite limited awareness
of their absorption capacity. Regarding reusable menstrual products (RMPs), menstrual cup users
emphasized comfort but expressed a need for proper training. Negative menstruation experiences
could evoke fear and difficulties, underscoring the importance of providing comprehensive menstrual
health education encompassing both theoretical and practical components.