Menopausa, hormônios, envelhecimento: Discursos de mulheres que vivem em um bairro na periferia da cidade de São Paulo, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract

Objectives: to analize the discourse regarding the menopause in women attending a health service unit on the outskirts of the city of São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil, in order to understand the meaning they attribute to this event. Methods: eight women aged between 44 and 75 years were interviewed using qualitative methods and a social constructionist approach. The data were collected using participant observation, life histories and interviews. Results: in the group of study the menopause is experienced by these women as an inevitable occurrence related to their bodies and lives and is also considered a strange inimical event that afflicts them unexpectedly. Conclusions: in ghe group of study the results indicate how important it is to approach the menopause is such a way that is viewed as something relative and particular to each individual, not as something universal and standardized.