Experiences and Needs of Perimenopausal Women With Climacteric Symptoms in Singapore: A Qualitative Study.

Women in the perimenopause stage may face climacteric symptoms where physical and mental challenges are experienced. The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding of the experiences and needs of perimenopausal women with climacteric symptoms in Singapore. This is a descriptive qualitative study. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 20 perimenopausal women with climacteric symptoms from a tertiary public hospital in Singapore. Semistructured face-to-face interviews and thematic analysis were used for data collection and analysis, respectively. Participants lacked knowledge resulting in misconceptions of the condition. Experiencing climacteric symptoms led to mixed feelings. The availability of support varied in different sources and forms. Participants seek for more information, understanding, compassion, and empathy from family members and health care professionals. Health care professionals should provide adequate support to cater to the diverse experiences and needs of multiracial perimenopausal women with climacteric symptoms. Future research should include the perspectives of health care professionals and family members.