Perception of Female Identity in Women with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: A Qualitative Study

Somayeh Moukhah; Behzad  Ghorbani; Zahra Behboodi  Moghadam; Simin  Zafardoust; Azadeh Haji  Parvaneh; Elham  Alinaghi; Rasoul  Moukhah

doi:10.18502/jri.v24i1.11909

Somayeh Moukhah Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Behzad Ghorbani Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Zahra Behboodi Moghadam Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Simin Zafardoust Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Azadeh Haji Parvaneh Avicenna Fertility Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Elham Alinaghi Avicenna Fertility Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Rasoul Moukhah Department of Quality Assurance, Pasteur Institute of Karaj, Alborz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jri.v24i1.11909

Keywords: Female identity, Primary ovarian insufficiency, Qualitative research.

Abstract

Background: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) occurs in women before the age of 40. Although the outcomes of POI in women include its adverse effects on general health, sexual-reproductive health, and finally reduced quality of life. One of the first adverse consequences is a threat to female identity of the patients. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the perception and experience of women with POI about female identity.

Methods: In this qualitative study, interviews were conducted with 15 women having POI. Data included participants' recorded voices that were analyzed using conventional content analysis.

Results: After content analysis of the interviews with a focus on the perception and experience of women with POI about female identity, four categories emerged; they included the failure in realization of motherhood dream, the importance of menstruation, construction of female identity, and attempts to normalize the situation.

Conclusion: After analyzing the emerged categories obtained by interviewing with POI women, it seems that physicians need to pay special attention to the distortion of the female identity of these patients and educate the medical team about the importance of the effect of treatment on improving their emotional health.