Abstract
Objective
Menopause experiences are diverse and vary by social and cultural contexts. This study explored midlife women’s experiences and views about menopause in urban settings in Zimbabwe and South Africa to inform co-production of supportive interventions.
Method
Forty semi-structured interviews were conducted with women aged 40–60 years. Purposive sampling identified women, considering their age, comorbidities, HIV status and socioeconomic background. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically.
Results
Three inter-related themes were identified: loss and decline; uncertainty; and acceptance and growth. For some women, fertility was integral to their identity, without which they felt ‘incomplete’. Several women described shock and confusion at their unanticipated experiences of bodily changes. Difficulties arose distinguishing menopause symptoms from other conditions, and women highlighted absence of information about symptom management. To gauge what was ‘normal’, women compared their experiences with those of trusted women. Some women in South Africa welcomed menopause as their transition to a respected elder; menopause meant freedom from menstruation and childbirth. Acceptance related to women’s sense of whether they experienced menopause at ‘the right time’.
Conclusion
The study highlights similarities in women’s menopausal experiences across Africa, as well as affirming the existence of wide and varied local views.
Menopause experiences are diverse and vary by social and cultural contexts. This study explored midlife women’s experiences and views about menopause in urban settings in Zimbabwe and South Africa to inform co-production of supportive interventions.
Method
Forty semi-structured interviews were conducted with women aged 40–60 years. Purposive sampling identified women, considering their age, comorbidities, HIV status and socioeconomic background. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically.
Results
Three inter-related themes were identified: loss and decline; uncertainty; and acceptance and growth. For some women, fertility was integral to their identity, without which they felt ‘incomplete’. Several women described shock and confusion at their unanticipated experiences of bodily changes. Difficulties arose distinguishing menopause symptoms from other conditions, and women highlighted absence of information about symptom management. To gauge what was ‘normal’, women compared their experiences with those of trusted women. Some women in South Africa welcomed menopause as their transition to a respected elder; menopause meant freedom from menstruation and childbirth. Acceptance related to women’s sense of whether they experienced menopause at ‘the right time’.
Conclusion
The study highlights similarities in women’s menopausal experiences across Africa, as well as affirming the existence of wide and varied local views.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 337-344 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Climacteric |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 6 Jun 2025 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2025 University of Bristol.
Keywords
- Southern Africa
- Qualitative
- Menopausal women
- Sexual and reproductive health
Access to Document
- Full-text PDF (accepted manuscript)
This is the accepted author manuscript (AAM) of the article which has been made Open Access under the University of Bristol's Scholarly Works Policy. The final published version (Version of Record) can be found on the publisher's website. The copyright of any third-party content, such as images, remains with the copyright holder.