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Cultural Differences in Women’s Experience of Menopause: A Qualitative Review

Éadaoin Whelan et al.

Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology2026https://doi.org/10.1177/00220221261418307article
AJG 3ABDC A
Weight
0.50

Abstract

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.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/00220221261418307

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@article{éadaoin2026,
  title        = {{Cultural Differences in Women’s Experience of Menopause: A Qualitative Review}},
  author       = {Éadaoin Whelan et al.},
  journal      = {Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/00220221261418307},
}

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Cultural Differences in Women’s Experience of Menopause: A Qualitative Review

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.