What women say about their dysmenorrhea: a qualitative thematic analysis

Abstract Background Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent and is the leading cause of absence from school and work among women of reproductive age. Evidence suggests that dysmenorrhea may also be a risk factor for other chronic pain conditions. Limited research has examined women’s experience with dysmen...

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Main Authors: Chen X. Chen, Claire B. Draucker, Janet S. Carpenter
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2018-03-01
Series:BMC Women's Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-018-0538-8
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spelling doaj-1aeee4cb7798420c89a4811889e0a9782020-11-24T23:46:10ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742018-03-011811810.1186/s12905-018-0538-8What women say about their dysmenorrhea: a qualitative thematic analysisChen X. Chen0Claire B. Draucker1Janet S. Carpenter2Indiana University School of NursingIndiana University School of NursingIndiana University School of NursingAbstract Background Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent and is the leading cause of absence from school and work among women of reproductive age. Evidence suggests that dysmenorrhea may also be a risk factor for other chronic pain conditions. Limited research has examined women’s experience with dysmenorrhea using qualitative data. Research is warranted to address issues and needs that are important from women’s own perspectives. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe women’s salient thoughts about their experiences of dysmenorrhea. Methods We analyzed data collected from an open-ended question within a cross-sectional survey study conducted in the United States. Using qualitative thematic analysis, free text responses to a question asking women to share their experience with dysmenorrhea were analyzed. Results The sample consisted of 225 women who provided valid responses to the open-ended question. Six themes were identified: (1) The dysmenorrhea symptom experience varied among women; (2) The dysmenorrhea symptom experience varied across time, (3) A variety of factors influenced the dysmenorrhea symptom experience, (4) Dysmenorrhea symptoms could have a negative impact on the women’s daily lives, (5) Dysmenorrhea was not seen as a legitimate health issue by the women, health care providers, or society, and (6) Treatment for women with dysmenorrhea varied in acceptability and effectiveness. Conclusions The findings of this study have important implications for dysmenorrhea symptom assessment and the development of personalized interventions to support dysmenorrhea management.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-018-0538-8DysmenorrheaQualitative researchWomen’s healthPainPatient preferenceMenstruation
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Chen X. Chen
Claire B. Draucker
Janet S. Carpenter
spellingShingle Chen X. Chen
Claire B. Draucker
Janet S. Carpenter
What women say about their dysmenorrhea: a qualitative thematic analysis
BMC Women's Health
Dysmenorrhea
Qualitative research
Women’s health
Pain
Patient preference
Menstruation
author_facet Chen X. Chen
Claire B. Draucker
Janet S. Carpenter
author_sort Chen X. Chen
title What women say about their dysmenorrhea: a qualitative thematic analysis
title_short What women say about their dysmenorrhea: a qualitative thematic analysis
title_full What women say about their dysmenorrhea: a qualitative thematic analysis
title_fullStr What women say about their dysmenorrhea: a qualitative thematic analysis
title_full_unstemmed What women say about their dysmenorrhea: a qualitative thematic analysis
title_sort what women say about their dysmenorrhea: a qualitative thematic analysis
publisher BMC
series BMC Women's Health
issn 1472-6874
publishDate 2018-03-01
description Abstract Background Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent and is the leading cause of absence from school and work among women of reproductive age. Evidence suggests that dysmenorrhea may also be a risk factor for other chronic pain conditions. Limited research has examined women’s experience with dysmenorrhea using qualitative data. Research is warranted to address issues and needs that are important from women’s own perspectives. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe women’s salient thoughts about their experiences of dysmenorrhea. Methods We analyzed data collected from an open-ended question within a cross-sectional survey study conducted in the United States. Using qualitative thematic analysis, free text responses to a question asking women to share their experience with dysmenorrhea were analyzed. Results The sample consisted of 225 women who provided valid responses to the open-ended question. Six themes were identified: (1) The dysmenorrhea symptom experience varied among women; (2) The dysmenorrhea symptom experience varied across time, (3) A variety of factors influenced the dysmenorrhea symptom experience, (4) Dysmenorrhea symptoms could have a negative impact on the women’s daily lives, (5) Dysmenorrhea was not seen as a legitimate health issue by the women, health care providers, or society, and (6) Treatment for women with dysmenorrhea varied in acceptability and effectiveness. Conclusions The findings of this study have important implications for dysmenorrhea symptom assessment and the development of personalized interventions to support dysmenorrhea management.
topic Dysmenorrhea
Qualitative research
Women’s health
Pain
Patient preference
Menstruation
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-018-0538-8
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