Representations and perceived consequences of menopause by peri- and post-menopausal portuguese women: a qualitative research.

Our aim in conducting this study is to describe the representations and perceived consequences of menopause, elicited through a semistructured interview with 36 Portuguese women, in peri- and post-menopause. The most prevalent response of the interviewed women was to see menopause as a normal/neutral phase of their life cycle (28.3%). Menses' cessation (58.7%) was identified as the most prevalent positive consequence of menopause, and a range of psychological changes (18.3%) was the most mentioned negative consequence. Health care provider's awareness of women's attitudes will allow them to communicate more effectively and to reinforce women's positive attitudes.