Menopause as a womanhood experience

Menopause is one of the most important milestones of women's lives. Throughout this period, women not only experience biological changes, but also some changes in their mental and social states. Menopause used to be believed as a natural issue in women lives, however, now it has come an issue under medical sciences so, this situation bring about the question of medicalization of the menopause period. The aim of this study is to investigate how women experience and interpret their menopause process and to discuss menopause as a womanhood experience from a gender perspective. This study also draws an attention to the fact how menopause has become a medical area today. Qualitative research method is adopted for this study and a semi-structured questionnaire is used for the face to face interviews with 21 voluntary participants who has applied to Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Akdeniz University Hospital. Akdeniz University Scientific Research Projects (BAP) has supported materials for this project and the phenomenological perspective has been used for the theoretical background. According to the results of the research, the majority of participants considers their menopause experience as a natural process of femininity. Menopause, which means the end of the menstrual cycle, has been expressed by women with positive perceptions and it has been stated that daily life is positively affected by the finalization of the menstrual cycle. Participants' comments on their close relationships and their sexual life with their partners explain that the menopause process does not lead to any negative experience. Besides, most women are pleased not to have to use contraceptive techniques, which are left to the women's responsibilities. In addition to these positive experiences, women also expressed some negative experiences related to the menopause process. Because of the risk of weight gain after menopause, women have shared their concerns about their health and physical appearance being adversely affected by this condition. As a result, menopause is experienced as a natural process for women in general, but with some doubtful thoughts. Key words: Menopause, femininity, health, medicalization, ageing