What Do Women in Rural Tamil Nadu Think about Postmenopausal Bleeding? A Mixed-Method Study.

INTRODUCTION

Perception of women about postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) may have a greater influence on their treatment-seeking behavior.

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to explore the perceptions of causes and treatment of PMB among menopausal women and to quantify its perceived reasons.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

It was a sequential exploratory mixed-method study design, with two group interviews (qualitative phase), followed by a survey among 1530 postmenopausal women (quantitative phase). The qualitative data were analyzed by thematic analysis and quantitative data using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Lack of seriousness about PMB and stigma were stated as barriers for the treatment of PMB. Among 1530 women, 40.8% of them did not know the cause for PMB. The problem in the uterus, cancer, and improved nutrition were stated as reasons by 17.6%, 16.8%, and 15.8% of women, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Most of the women did not know the reason for PMB and its awareness is crucial for better uptake of screening and detection of pathology at an early stage.