Assessing the factors affecting health and life quality of women with premature depletion of ovarian function: A qualitative study

Sampurna Kundu, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Sanghmitra S. Acharya, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Premature ovarian failure is when menopause occurs before the age of 40. With increasing age, the ovarian function depletes and decreases its production of oestrogen and progesterone hormones. Premature ovarian failure diagnosis has negative impacts on women's psychological health and quality of life in addition to its medical implications. In light of the aforementioned discussion, the current study sought to shed light on the variables influencing the health status and quality of life of women with premature ovarian failure in an urban setting in India. The present study is qualitative exploratory in nature and study area for the primary data collection was the city Kolkata (State: West Bengal; Country: India).The research restricted to key informant interviews and case studies. The collected data were examined using a traditional thematic analysis methodology. Overall, the main themes that emerged out were- symptoms and health impact; social impact; cause and diagnosis; coping mechanism; and policy expectations or recommendations. The study concludes on the note the premature ovarian failure or premature menopause alters women's self-concept in addition to having an impact on several facets of a woman's life and health. There needs to be a sincere effort towards including menopausal health in health policies rather than bracketing women’s health only within reproductive health

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Qualitative data/methods/approaches, Fertility

See paper.