Perceptions, Beliefs, and Experiences about the Menstrual Cycle and Menstruation among Young Women: A Qualitative Approach Botello Hermosa, Alicia González Cano-Caballero, María Guerra Martín, María Dolores Navarro Pérez, Carmen Flores Arnedillo Sánchez, Socorro Dysmenorrhea Health knowledge Attitudes 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. 2024-05-13T10:57:24Z 2024-05-13T10:57:24Z 2024-02-28 journal article 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 https://hdl.handle.net/10481/91718 10.3390/healthcare12050560 eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ open access Atribución 4.0 Internacional MDPI