Meanings of menopause: cultural influences on perception and management of menopause.

Attitudes and sociocultural perceptions provide the context within which women experience menopause. Cultural influences greatly affect how women perceive and manage their menopausal symptoms. Cultures may be categorized based on way of life, including traditional, immigrant, and modern. Varying perceptions and symptom experiences are described, including modifiable and nonmodifiable factors that affect the level of distress women feel with menopause. Helping women actively participate in management of menopausal symptoms including self-care strategies will contribute to feelings of control of menopausal symptoms and overall health. By using the highest levels of evidence regarding management of menopause, becoming familiar with the cultural and psychosocial influences of menopause and then empowering women to make decisions regarding management, health care providers can improve their care of perimenopausal and menopausal women.