The reflection of premenstrual syndrome on romantic relationships as a femininity experience: A qualitative research

In this research, it is aimed to analyze how the premenstrual syndrome is experienced and interpreted by women in the context of gender in the context of their romantic relationships. Heterosexual romantic relationships, which are thought to provide an opportunity to observe gender-specific experiences comfortably in terms of both containing binary gender roles and providing an environment of intimacy and sharing, were deemed appropriate for the context of the research. Qualitative research method was adopted in the research and it was reached through guided sampling; Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with a semi-structured questionnaire with 23 women between the ages of 18-49 who are known to be affected by premenstrual syndrome and who are in a romantic relationship. The data were made meaningful through critical discourse analysis, and 3 main and 9 sub-themes constituting the findings were determined by descriptive analysis. The findings are presented from a phenomenological feminist perspective. Findings, "PMS as a Feminine Experience", "Gender and PMS", "PMS in the Context of Romantic Relationship" has been examined under the main themes. As a result, it has been found that the health system is biased in defining diseases specific to male and female biological sexes, reinforcing gender role assumptions while making biological gender-based definitions, and thus shaping the perception of experiences. In addition, it has been observed that PMS pin is affected by factors such as gender presuppositions, gender perception and attitudes in heterosexual romantic relationships, problem solving styles, relationship perception, and expresses a perceptual reality. Bringing the deeper phenomenological reality of the conceptual and theoretical reality of femininity experiences lived in the shadow of patriarchal codes to the visible field reveals the importance of this research. Public awareness activities to prevent sexist discourses about PMS and similar femininity experiences; In order to increase women's medical, psychological and social awareness, it can be recommended to facilitate access to services within this scope, to review PMS while processing the literature, and to realize the strong negative effect of traditional gender preconceptions in heterosexual romantic relationships through psychoeducational studies.