ArticleBMJ open2026
Defined by blood: lived experiences of menstrual health through the lifecourse among women in Zimbabwe - a qualitative study.
Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundMenstrual health (MH) is vital to women's overall health and well-being. Yet many women, especially in resource-limited settings, face challenges due to insufficient resources and support. Most MH research has focused on school-going adolescents while limited research has investigated MH experiences across the lifecourse. This study aims to understand menstrual experiences across women's lifecourse in Zimbabwe, including MH-related pain and discomfort and women's MH-related healthcare seeking behaviours.
methodsFrom February to April 2024, we conducted eight participatory workshops in Harare and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe with a total of 53 women aged over 18 years. Workshops aimed to explore lived experiences of MH and included participatory collage activities. We conducted thematic and visual analyses of the workshops and participant collages to explore participants' MH perceptions and lived experiences.
resultsMenstruation was seen as a central signifier of fertility and embodiment of womanhood. Women of all ages had limited access to education and support for menstrual-related issues (particularly menarche and menopause). Stigma and ill-informed healthcare providers were key barriers to menstrual-related healthcare and treatment. Women reported using alternative methods, including traditional herbs, while younger women, in particular, turned to online platforms to address menstrual-related issues.
conclusionsMH is central to women's identity, health and well-being across the lifecourse. Persistent stigma, inadequate support and limited healthcare, especially during transitions such as menopause, highlight the need for inclusive policies and programming and adequately trained providers. Further research into digital and community-based MH approaches that empower women to navigate stigma and access care independently is also needed.
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