Women's perception of menstruation: a question of solidarity [A percepção de mulheres sobre a menstruação: uma questão de solidariedade] [La percepción de mujeres sobre la menstruación: una cuestión de solidaridad]
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/reuerj.2019.40120Keywords:
Menstruation, women's health, obstetrical nursing, social supportAbstract
Objective: to describe women’s experience of menstruation. Methodology: this qualitative study was based on the thematic content analysis method. The setting was a public university campus in Rio de Janeiro. Twenty-three women from 20 to 72 years old participated. Data were obtained between July 2015 and July 2016 by semi-structured interview. Results: the central theme/category was identified as solidarity among women with regard to menstruation. Four subcategories emerged: women’s connection with menstruation; one’s experience of menstruating affects others; influence and support from mothers and/or other women; and transference. Conclusion: menstruation causes ambiguous feelings in women, with negative feelings, such as fear and a sense of shame, predominating. At the same time, it can be seen as a reason for happiness and tranquility. Solidarity among women is a factor of empowerment, and can influence women's perception of menstruation positively.
RESUMO
Objetivo: descrever a experiência de mulheres em relação à menstruação. Metodologia: estudo qualitativo baseado no método de análise de conteúdo temática. O cenário foi o campus de uma universidade pública no Rio de Janeiro. Participaram 23 mulheres entre 20 e 72 anos de idade. Os dados foram obtidos entre julho/2015 e julho/2016 através da entrevista semiestruturada. Resultados: foi identificada, como tema central/categoria, a questão da solidariedade entre mulheres quando o assunto é menstruação. Emergiram quatro sub-categorias: A conexão das mulheres com a menstruação; A experiência de menstruar afetando umas às outras; A influência e o suporte proveniente das mães e/ou de outras mulheres; e A transferência. Conclusão: a menstruação causa sentimentos ambíguos nas mulheres, resultando em predomínio de sentimentos negativos, como medo e sensação de vergonha. Ao mesmo tempo pode ser percebida como motivo de felicidade e tranquilidade. A solidariedade entre mulheres pode influenciar positivamente a percepção da mulher sobre a menstruação, sendo elemento de empoderamento.
RESUMEN
Objetivo: describir la experiencia de mujeres en relación con la menstruación. Metodología: estudio cualitativo basado en el método de análisis de contenido temático. El escenario fue el campus de una universidad pública en Río de Janeiro. Participaron 23 mujeres cuya edad estaba entre 20 y 72 años. Los datos se obtuvieron entre julio/2015 y julio/2016 a través de entrevista semiestructurada. Resultados: se identificó, como tema central/categoría, la solidaridad entre mujeres en relación con la menstruación. Surgieron cuatro subcategorías: la conexión de las mujeres con la menstruación; la experiencia de menstruar, afectando unas a las otras; la influencia y el apoyo de las madres y/o de otras mujeres; y la transferencia. Conclusión: la menstruación causa sentimientos ambiguos en las mujeres, resultando en predominio de sentimientos negativos, como el miedo y la sensación de vergüenza. Al mismo tiempo, podría percibirse como un motivo de felicidad y tranquilidad. La solidaridad entre mujeres puede influir positivamente en su percepción sobre la menstruación, siendo un elemento de empoderamiento.
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