Cultural Differences in Women’s Experience of Menopause
A Qualitative Review
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11559349 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Éadaoin Whelan (0000-0003-3393-0709, University College Cork), Maria Dempsey (0000-0002-7001-0568, University College Cork, corresponding author), Cheryl Voon Yi (University College Cork), Cheryl Voon Yi Chi (University College Cork) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 57 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 652-674 |
| Publication date | 2026-02-10 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-0221 • E-ISSN: 1552-5422 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/00220221261418307 |
| OpenAlex | W7128472977 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 40 |
Menopause is experienced differently across cultures. Yet existing literature for cultural comparisons across multiple countries mostly adopts a quantitative approach leaving a gap in qualitative understanding of menopause. This systematic review synthesizes qualitative studies to advance understanding of how women from different cultures perceive and experience menopause. Searches were conducted across CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science for qualitative, peer-reviewed studies published in English between January 2000 and June 2025, that compared cultural differences of menopause. Quality assessment was conducted using CASP. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Thirteen articles from eight countries, with 17 cultural groups, were included. Three major themes were identified namely Narratives on Menopause centering on perception of menopause, attitudes towards symptoms, and public and private discussion of menopause; The Support Spectrum which focuses on the influence of family, social norms, religious beliefs, and language on menopausal experiences; and Navigating Healthcare: Preferences and Approaches which considers how culture can shape preferences for health systems and treatments. Culturally sensitive healthcare practices and development of assessment tools that reflect diverse cultural contexts are needed to advance appropriate wholistic support during the menopause life transition
Cross-cultural · Cultural diversity · Cultural Influence · Perception · Qualitative property · Qualitative research · Quality (philosophy · Thematic analysis · Estrogen and related hormone effects · Menopause: Health Impacts and Treatments · Sex and Gender in Healthcare
Updated Guidance on the Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in Medical and Science Journals
Methods for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research in systematic reviews
“Being Conditioned, yet Becoming Strong”
Menopause, local biologies, and cultures of aging
Women's Trust in and Use of Information Sources in the Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms
A Critical Ethnography of Korean Canadian Women's Menopause Experience
Talking “Among Us ”
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Associated With Menopause
Menopausal Symptom Experience of Hispanic Midlife Women in the United States
Killer Whales and Killer Women
Hofstede's Culture Dimensions
| Highly cited | No |
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