THE PERCEPTION OF MENARCHE AND MENSTRUATION AMONG TURKISH MARRIED WOMEN: ATTITUDES, EXPERIENCES, AND BEHAVIORS

Abstract

The aim in this study was to determine the experiences, behaviors, and attitudes of married Turkish women of fertility age, towards menstruation. Of the 586 women who took part in the study 64.2% described their menarche as an unfavorable experience. A total of 48.8% of them felt they had to keep their menstruation as a secret, and 2.2% believed that menstruating was a punishment given by God. Most did not approve of religious observances such as reciting the Quran, performing the namaz, and fasting when menstruating. Women over thirty who had less education were more likely to think that these activities were unfavorable. Sexual intercourse during menstruation was viewed as unfavorable by 80.9% of the women and 80.4% said that they did not have intercourse then. The state of menarche was found to limit women's lives in both public and individual spheres. It is suggested that menstruation should be evaluated not only within the scope of women's health, but also as a social issue and accessibility to information on menstruation should be improved.