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Meanings and Experiences of Menstruation: Perceptions of Institutionalized Women with an Intellectual Disability
Author(s) -
Chou YuehChing,
Lu ZxyYann Jane,
Wang Frank T. Y.,
Lan ChangFu,
Lin LiChan
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 1360-2322
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3148.2008.00430.x
Subject(s) - menstruation , feeling , autonomy , femininity , psychology , perception , human sexuality , intellectual disability , menstrual cycle , developmental psychology , medicine , social psychology , psychiatry , gender studies , neuroscience , sociology , political science , hormone , psychoanalysis , law
Background: No studies have ever been conducted concerning menstrual experiences among women with an intellectual disability in Taiwan. Materials and Methods: An in‐depth interview was conducted at three public institutions and perceptions and experiences regarding menstruation were elicited from 55 women aged 21–65 years. Results: The participants knew about menstrual blood and could recognize the experiences of period pain and its link to femininity. The women’s management of menstruation played a big part in their institutionalized life, where they had relatively limited choice and autonomy. Positive feelings towards the menstrual cycle were experienced by some participants; however, many had negative attitudes towards sexual activities or parenting, even though they knew the association between menstruation and pregnancy. Conclusions: Although these women’s experiences of perimenstrual symptoms are quite similar to those of women without intellectual disability, their menstrual management, interpretations and attitudes to menses are influenced by their institutional life and by the society at large.